Heritage Committee
Overview
The City of Mission Viejo Heritage Committee was formed in the fall of 1992. It is composed of local residents who have volunteered to assist the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission in the following functions:
-Research and preserve the history and heritage of Mission Viejo.
-Research historical sites and make recommendations for monuments and/or markers.
-Plan programs and activities to relate historical information to the public.
-Serve as docents for tours of the Heritage House exhibits, if interested.
The Heritage Committee meets the first Wednesday of the month (dark in July and December) in the Heritage Room at the Mission Viejo Library, located at 100 Civic Center, Mission Viejo. Meetings begin at 6 pm or as posted. Meeting agendas and minutes can be viewed by clicking here.
The Heritage Committee seeks new members who are interested in serving the City of Mission Viejo and learning about and preserving its rich history. For further information, please call 949-470-8488.
Heritage Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Heritage House
The City of Mission Viejo Heritage Committee invites you to view the Heritage House exhibit about the history of this land that is now called Mission Viejo. The Heritage House is typically open the third Sunday of the month from 11 am - 1 pm, or by appointment. The house is located at Melinda Park, 28951 Melinda Road, on the corner of Melinda Road and Santa Margarita Parkway. At one time, Rancho Mission Viejo was part of a 200,000-acre land grant given in 1845 to John Forster and Richard O'Neill. To schedule a group tour lead by a committee member, call 949-470-8488. All ages are welcome!
Contact Us with your local history questions
Have a question about the history of Mission Viejo, or need help with some research? Contact us via email at localhistory@cityofmissionviejo.org or give us a call at 949-452-8345.
Oral History Interviews and Transcripts
Mission Viejo Library staff and the Mission Viejo Heritage Committee have completed a year-long grant project capturing oral history interviews from key members of the Mission Viejo Company. These interviews describe the unique history of Mission Viejo and provide an inside look at what it took to build one of the first planned communities in the nation. Please visit our Local History page to view the archived oral history transcripts.
Images from the early days of Mission Viejo
Take a visual tour of the creation of Mission Viejo from its earliest days to the incorporation of the City of Mission Viejo! Over 400 images from community activities, Mission Viejo Company brochures, and more have been digitized from the original archival items.
The digitization of these images was made possible by funding from a Library Service and Technology Act grant, administered through the California State Library.
Mission Viejo history book and other local history merchandise
The Mission Viejo Heritage Committee sells a variety of local history merchandise, which can be purchased at the Mission Viejo Library Check Out Desk during regular library hours.
| Local History Book - Mission Viejo: The Ageless Land | $25 |
| Mission Viejo License Plate Frame | 1 for $15 2 for $25 |
| Megalodon Shark Tooth (resin replica) | $15 |
| Mission Viejo Coffee Mug | $10 |
| Mission Viejo Playing Cards | $5 |