Staples Family
A tenant farmer in the Irvine ranch for 24 years, Oswald Staples provided for and raised 3 children and 6 stepchildren.
Upcoming Event
- Dates: Fridays/Saturdays, Oct 11 to 26, 2024
- Start Times: 8:00 pm & 8:30 pm
Meet all the ghosts you’ve been dying to meet and learn about all the spooky folklore about Old Town Tustin.
- Visit the Spookiest places in Tustin
- Hunt Ghosts in Old Town
- Hear about the Dark side of Tustin history
Upcoming Event
Living History Garden Party at Stevens Square
- Date: May 17, 2025
- Time: 5::30 - 8:00 pm
We are excited to invite you to the Tustin Area Historical Society’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Living History Garden Party on Saturday, May 17, 2025!
This year, we will be having a living history event in the front garden of the historic Stevens Square home that was built by Sherman Stevens in 1888.
Not only will we be enjoying music, delicious food, and a live auction but our special guest hosts will be actors protraying Sherman and Martha Stevens sharing their personal story and life in Tustin in the early 1900’s.
We expect tickets to sell out quickly. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Upcoming Event
Night at the Museum: Richard Nixon California's Native Son
- Date: May 2, 2025
- Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Join us as Historian Paul Carter shares information on Richard Nixon, California’s Native Son
We expect tickets to sell out quickly. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Upcoming Event
Night at the Museum: The Story of Pioneering Rancher Nellie Gail Moulton
- Date: March 28, 2025
- Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Scott Barnes is Nellie’s great grandson and has written a new book on the family matriarch. He will be sharing Nellie Gail Moulton’s story during our special Night at the Museum meeting on Friday, March 28, 2025.
We expect tickets to sell out quickly. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Upcoming Event
Night at the Museum - 2025 Upcoming Events
The Tustin Area Historical Society continues to host our popular Night at the Museum with even more topics and speakers returning in 2025.
We’ll be offering full details and ticket sales as we get closer to each event.
Would you like to become a member? Members support our programs, our archives, our displays, our school programs, and even get discounts on events. Visit our membership page for more information.
Welcome to the Web Home of the Tustin Area Historical Society and the Tustin Area Museum!
The Tustin Area Historical Society was founded in 1976 for the purpose of preserving the rich and colorful history of our local area.
Our website proudly celebrates the local history of the city of Tustin. We have some great old photos and some interesting articles and you can be sure that we will add more over time. We’re always looking for more content – articles, photos, and even old ads and printed materials.
Our renovated museum is now open. For more on Tustin history, visit us. Our current open days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm, and Saturdays from 11 am until 3 pm. Our location is at 395 El Camino Real at Main St.
Explore the Museum
Major Areas of Tustin History
The History of the Tustin Blimp Hangars
- Why were they built?
- How were they used initially?
- Were they used during the Vietnam War?
- Are they listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
Latest Articles About Tustin History
Hannaford Family
Bud Hannaford Jr. built the first motor court in Tustin. He served on the Tustin Elementary Board.
Lagier Family
Second generation tenant farmer, Ernie Lagier also managed the Irvine Bean Pickers baseball team.
Albert Colwell Williams
Albert Williams grew walnuts on the family farm. He was foreman of the Santa Ana Walnut Association packing house.
Felix Holmes
If you saw a horse-drawn wagon heading west of 4th Street in the 1950’s that was Felix Holmes.
Antonio Bernardo Nieblas
Ancestors of the Nieblas family arrived at Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1862 after walking from central Mexico.
Friends of the Tustin Area Historical Society
Online Book Store
We have a variety of books and publications regarding Tustin history. If you can’t drop by the museum, you can order online by clicking the View Store button.
What Our Visitors Say!
We provide programs for young people that build motivation, so I decided to arrange a party for them Everything went smoothly, and all the kids were very much excited!
My girl loves this place! I have heard so many positive things about the arts and when we finally arrived here, it all happened to be true! Thank you for the amazing works!
We provide programs for young people that build motivation, so I decided to arrange a party for them Everything went smoothly, and all the kids were very much excited!
My girl loves this place! I have heard so many positive things about the arts and when we finally arrived here, it all happened to be true! Thank you for the amazing works!
Staples Family
11/22/2025
No Comments
A tenant farmer in the Irvine ranch for 24 years, Oswald Staples provided for and raised 3 children and 6 stepchildren.
Hannaford Family
11/22/2025
No Comments
Bud Hannaford Jr. built the first motor court in Tustin. He served on the Tustin Elementary Board.
Lagier Family
11/22/2025
No Comments
Second generation tenant farmer, Ernie Lagier also managed the Irvine Bean Pickers baseball team.
Albert Colwell Williams
11/22/2025
No Comments
Albert Williams grew walnuts on the family farm. He was foreman of the Santa Ana Walnut Association packing house.
Felix Holmes
11/22/2025
No Comments
If you saw a horse-drawn wagon heading west of 4th Street in the 1950’s that was Felix Holmes.
Antonio Bernardo Nieblas
11/21/2025
No Comments
Ancestors of the Nieblas family arrived at Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1862 after walking from central Mexico.
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The Tustin Area Historical Society was founded in 1976 for the purpose of preserving the rich and colorful history of our local area.
Hours
Tues 10:00 am–3:00 pm
Thurs 10:00 am–3:00 pm
Sat 11:00 am–3:00 pm
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun – Closed
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