Santa Ana Historical Preservation

Santa Ana Historical Preservation The Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society - focused on preserving and celebrating the history of our city. We take our mission seriously.

The Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society is an active group of people concerned and interested in preserving and celebrating the history of our local Santa Ana valley community. We preserve and maintain the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum. We record and promote the history of early Santa Ana and its central role in the birth and growth of Orange County. We celebrate local hi

story by creating enjoyable events and publications for residents whether hard-core historians or just curious. We actively support the education of our children to learn about and appreciate their heritage and the community around them. Thanks to the help of our members and other supporters, we continue this mission to celebrate and promote Santa Ana and early Orange County history. We’ve been doing that for over 35 years – starting when Adeline Walker, Betty Biner, and other dedicated residents, much like yourself, took a stand for preservation. Back in 1974 they saved the Dr. Howe-Waffle House from destruction and began the Society. Our efforts and publications have garnered awards. Our membership grows every year. Our community continues to support and thank us for our activities and educational programs. We know what we’re doing is working and is helping keep our local history alive! We’re all volunteers in this work. All the funds we raise go towards expenses like supporting and maintaining the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum and to continue our work to collect and share information about local history. We have no paid staff members. Our active board is out there salvaging vintage homes, creating educational programs, assembling new history displays, and developing new publications for the community. This year we have even more on our plate. We’ll again create and produce our award-winning Living History Historical Tour at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Santa Ana Cemetery. We’re working on several new mini-books on SA history. Our salvage program to recycle vintage building materials to homeowners of older homes is more popular than ever. We’re creating a digital archive of local photos. We’re expanding our website with even more historical articles and photos for students and others searching the Internet for local history. But we need your help to continue these activities. We absolutely can not do it without you. Your membership dollars paired with our volunteer efforts help make the Society one of the leaders of local historical organizations. Without your help, we couldn’t do all that we do. Even if you can't volunteer your physical help, becoming a member will help us with the funds we need to continue and expand our work.

Did you miss out on our last antique sale?Then join us on June 6th for our special Museum Deaccession Sale in our beauti...
05/29/2026

Did you miss out on our last antique sale?

Then join us on June 6th for our special Museum Deaccession Sale in our beautiful back garden! We’ll be offering a unique selection of items we no longer have room for, including:

Antique furniture
Books
Paper ephemera
Collectibles & more

At the same time, we’ll also be hosting our Til Death Do Us Part Open House
Bonus: Spend at least $5 at the sale and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a discounted ticket to tour the house before or after your shopping experience.

Come browse, discover hidden treasures, and enjoy a wonderful day with us—we can’t wait to see you there!

Tickets for our next open house are available via the link in our bio!

Happy Memorial Day from the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society! We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday as we...
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day from the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society! We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday as we take time to remember and honor those who served. 🇺🇸

Have you gotten your tickets yet for our upcoming June Open House?Then join us on June 6th from 11–3 at the historic Dr....
05/21/2026

Have you gotten your tickets yet for our upcoming June Open House?

Then join us on June 6th from 11–3 at the historic Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House as we explore the themes of childbirth, marriage, and death through immersive vignettes, artifacts, heirlooms, and original historical pieces. This year, we’ll also be sharing original newspaper articles that mention the Howe-Waffle family in relation to weddings, funerals, and other significant life events.

Our formal parlor will feature a funeral scene courtesy of , while our second parlor window will showcase a wedding scene inspired by the era.

Tickets include tea and cookies served in our garden area, and guests will enjoy docent-led tours throughout the home.

**Photos are from years prior open houses.

Purchase tickets ahead of time via the link in our bio

Only 26 spots are available for this EXCLUSIVE and rare paranormal investigation night at the historic Dr. Willella Howe...
05/11/2026

Only 26 spots are available for this EXCLUSIVE and rare paranormal investigation night at the historic Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum with fan-favorite ghost host and paranormal coordinator Darcy Staniforth!

Join us for a guided investigation of the beautifully preserved Victorian home of Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle, one of the region’s first female physicians. Hear the fascinating history of the Howe-Waffle families as you explore the 1889 home and museum, then investigate on your own or alongside the group as you attempt to communicate with the spirits rumored to still reside within its historic halls.

Purchase your ticket today via the link below:

https://www.santaanahistory.com/event-details/paranormal-investigation-of-the-howe-waffle-house-2026-06-27-19-00

Join us for a unique Open House experience at our historic home, ‘Til Death Do Us Part.’ On June 6th from 11-3, we will ...
05/08/2026

Join us for a unique Open House experience at our historic home, ‘Til Death Do Us Part.’ On June 6th from 11-3, we will explore the themes of childbirth, marriage, and death through vignettes, artifacts, and heirlooms. The event will feature a funeral scene in our formal parlor, courtesy of , and a wedding scene in our second parlor window.

Tickets include tea and cookies in our garden area. We look forward to your visit!

**photos are from year’s prior open houses

Purchase tickets ahead of time via the link below:

https://www.santaanahistory.com/event-details/til-death-do-us-part-june-open-house-2026

Only 8 tickets remaining! Join us for a “Day At The Races Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show” at the iconic Dr. Willella How...
05/05/2026

Only 8 tickets remaining!

Join us for a “Day At The Races Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show” at the iconic Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House on May 16, 2026. Don your most extravagant spectator hats and enjoy a beautiful spring afternoon in our garden setting.

From the meticulously decorated grounds to an impeccably curated menu of freshly steeped teas, finger sandwiches, and desserts, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable experience.

Featuring a fashion show with clothes from and raffle.

Click on the link to purchase your tickets today:

https://www.santaanahistory.com/event-details/day-at-the-races-afternoon-tea-and-fashion-show

  from  In 1913, Walter Daniel Ranney and his family arrived in Santa Ana from Groton, New York—launching what would bec...
05/04/2026

from In 1913, Walter Daniel Ranney and his family arrived in Santa Ana from Groton, New York—launching what would become one of Orange County’s most influential dairy operations. From the founding of Ranney Sanitary Dairy to the growth of Excelsior Creamery, the family helped pioneer milk pasteurization locally, introduced frozen orange juice to the market, and expanded operations across Prado, Garden Grove, and beyond.

After decades of innovation and growth, the Excelsior dairy legacy concluded with its sale to Carnation Company in 1980—closing a remarkable 65-year chapter in Orange County’s agricultural history.

Historic photo: The Ranney family in front of their Santa Ana home built in 1925 on North Park Boulevard in North Broadway Park, now the Floral Park Historic District.

Join us on May 2nd, 2026 at the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum for a special docent-led tour of the b...
04/28/2026

Join us on May 2nd, 2026 at the Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum for a special docent-led tour of the beautiful Queen Anne–style Victorian home and medical office of Santa Ana’s first female doctor.

Your ticket includes a guided tour along with tea and sweets served in the garden area.

Come enjoy history, refreshments, and a unique look at Victorian-era fashion and culture.

Purchase tickets ahead of time:

https://www.santaanahistory.com/event-details/may-2nd-open-house

Join us for a “Day At The Races Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show” at the iconic Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House on May 16, ...
04/13/2026

Join us for a “Day At The Races Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show” at the iconic Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House on May 16, 2026. Don your most extravagant spectator hats and enjoy a beautiful spring afternoon in our garden setting.

From the meticulously decorated grounds to an impeccably curated menu of freshly steeped teas, finger sandwiches, and desserts, every detail has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable experience.

Featuring a fashion show with clothes from and raffle.

Click on the link to purchase your tickets today:

https://www.santaanahistory.com/event-details/day-at-the-races-afternoon-tea-and-fashion-show

Address

120 W Civic Center Drive
Santa Ana, CA
92701

Telephone

(714) 547-9645

Website

https://www.instagram.com/drwillellahowewafflehouse/

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