60th Anniversary of Laguna Woods

The Laguna Woods History Center (formerly Historical Society of Laguna Woods) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “preserving today for tomorrow.” Our purpose is to collect, conserve and convey information, documentation and artifacts related to the history of Laguna Woods as a public service, in perpetuity. Eligible clubs are able to store club materials in the History Center’s climate-controlled archival space.

This website is intended to serve as your gateway to the community’s rich past and dynamic present. It is Your Place in Local History!

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Back row: Dean Dixon, President/CEO; John Parker, Trustee; Catherine Brians, Chief Communications Officer; Cindy Vaughn, Chief Governance Officer; Dorothy Pacella, Trustee; Burt Baum, Trustee. Front row: Kathy Schill, Club Storage Coordinator; Gail Dixon, CFO & Curator; Joan Milliman, Trustee; Mary Stone, Trustee

Our 501c3

The Laguna Woods History Center is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees.

Explore the local history links for other research and cultural centers. Our office and archives are located next to the Laguna Woods Village Library near Clubhouse One. If you are a visitor to our community, please call ahead to schedule an appointment and Gate One access.

Moulton Museum Exhibit at the History Center
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Moulton Museum is exhibiting From Ranchland to Leisure World Laguna Hills at the Laguna Woods History Center until April 2024. This exhibit features artifacts from the early to mid-century period. The display includes historic photography and some never-before-seen Moulton family artifacts who were Orange County pioneers who homesteaded along the two-lane road that became the 5-Freeway in the 1950s. Experience the heritage of Laguna Woods from the heritage of this sprawling 21,723-acre operation. Nellie Gail Moulton was a teacher, wife, mother, and rancher who operated Moulton Ranch from 1938-1950. Nellie sold a parcel of land to Ross Cortese who developed Leisure World. This exhibit honors the 60 years since this moment in history of the City of Laguna Woods. 

“And what more amazing, to look out of my Laguna Hills apartment bedroom window, as I’ve done now for two years, and view this ambitious Cortese housing development called ‘Leisure World’, part and parcel of the land that used to be sheep country and here, properly, the Moulton Ranch.” – Nellie Gail Moulton, 1966

Moulton Museum Display at the Laguna Woods History Center (next to the Village Library). Celebrating our community’s 60th Anniversary. “From Ranchland to Leisure World Laguna Hills” (now Laguna Woods Village)
L-R Dean Dixon, CEO, Laguna Woods History Center; Laguna Woods Mayor Noel Hatch and Jared Mathis, Great Grandson of Nellie Gail Moulton.

Laguna Woods History Center

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Travel back in time via this tour of the Laguna Woods History Center with the Chicago Club Travel Show as broadcast on Village TV. Learn more about the Laguna Woods History Center from the Board of Trustees and volunteers who were featured in the film.

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Monday – Friday 11:00 – 1:00

Archives

We serve as your gateway to the community’s rich past and dynamic present.

Community History

Oral Histories with community leaders

Veterans History

This Collection is part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Laguna Woods History Center

Next to the Village Library

Mail: P.O. Box 2220
Laguna Hills CA, 92654

Our office and archives are located next to the Laguna Woods Village Library near Clubhouse One. If you are a visitor to our community, please call ahead to schedule an appointment and Gate One access. Our office and archives are located next to the Laguna Woods Village Library near Clubhouse One. If you are a visitor to our community, please call ahead to schedule an appointment and Gate One access.

Resources

 
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Archive

We store Village club ephemera and Laguna Woods history

Research

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News

Partnered community functions

Exhibits

60th Anniversary history displays at LWHC

SUMMERS & SUMMERS CPA

 

RICKY FRENCH COMPUTER SERVICE

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As a private, non-profit, all-volunteer organization, the Center depends on active support of local individuals and businesses.

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