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Orange
County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum |
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The Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage
Museum has been built on the grounds of the Fullerton Arboretum
and has been designed along the lines of a packing house. California
State University, Fullerton, and the Fullerton Arboretum are
working together to open the museum to the public.
The museum highlights the history, development, and impact of
agriculture, as well as the contributions of the Japanese American
community and the local pioneer families, to the growth of Orange
County. This introductory exhibit will be a peek into upcoming
planned exhibitions and will be open throughout the summer.
It is our belief that history does not happen in a vacuum and
many people had and have roles in the development of agriculture
in our county and the interconnections will be emphasized.
The Fullerton Arboretum is working closely with the Center for
Oral and Public History (COPH) at CSUF and will include a recording
booth in the Nikkei area for people who wish to share their
families' stories.
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Background on the Fullerton Arboretum Visitor's Center |
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For many years the Fullerton Arboretum
has been actively seeking funds to build an 11,500 foot
complex that would serve to support the many activities
within the Fullerton Arboretum. Several years ago conceptual
drawings were completed; the large simple roof forms and
clean gabbled structures are reminiscent of the packing
houses used by the Citrus Industry in the early 1900's.
Design elements of the Visitor's Center also recognize
existing structures and gardens currently located on the
grounds. The Arboretum's efforts to promote responsible
uses of our natural resources by being energy efficient
have played a key role in this project.
Master planning for this complex includes new classroom
space allowing for expansion of the Arboretum's educational
programs and conferences, an Orange County Agricultural
History and Nikkei Heritage Museum and an outdoor Pavilion
that can host banquets and special events.
To help raise money, naming opportunities were provided
by the Arboretum to donors who donated significant amounts
of money. As a result, several spaces both indoors and
out, have been named. Additionally donors who gave $1000
or more have their names placed on a donor recognition
wall in the facility.
Three classrooms, a pavilion and a kitchen make up the
conference center. The Pavilion can hold up to 350 people
for special events while the classrooms can be changed
into multiple configurations. The separated rooms are
designed so that sound and activities in adjacent rooms
do not interfere with each other.
The Museum will showcase Orange County from its agricultural
beginnings and will compliment the existing Heritage House
and Cultivated Collection. Families who helped settle
Orange County and who participated in the county's agricultural
industry before moving into other pursuits have participated
by donating to this project. Families who have participated
include the Orange County Nikkei (Japanese American) Community
and the Knott, Kramer and Chapman families to name a few.
Established in 1979 the Fullerton Arboretum has served
the community as a premier resource for ecological, horticultural
and historical education. The Fullerton Arboretum is the
largest botanical garden in Orange County. Encompassing
26 lush acres, the Fullerton Arboretum has assembled a
permanent collection of over 4,000 unique and unusual
plant species from around the world. With its ponds, streams
and wildlife, the Fullerton Arboretum offers a tranquil
retreat from a fast-paced urban life.
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