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National Treasure Historic Wintersburg

National Treasure Historic Wintersburg shares the history of three generations of Japanese American experience, from immigration in the late 19th century to the return from incarceration following World War II. The 4.5-acre historic landscape contains six structures—the majority over a century old—including one of the oldest Japanese missions in Southern California and a former goldfish farm.

Historic Wintersburg is among the only surviving Japanese American-owned properties acquired before California passed anti-immigrant land laws in 1913 and 1920. Everyone associated with the Furuta Gold Fish Farm and the Wintersburg Japanese Mission was incarcerated during World War II, as were all Japanese Americans in Orange County. This historic site is a reminder of our nation’s civil rights history and the struggle for social justice that many immigrant communities continue to face. Today, Historic Wintersburg is in the Oak View neighborhood of Huntington Beach, a vibrant, predominantly Latino community which contributes its rich cultural heritage to the continuing story of indigenous and immigrant history in Southern California.

Historic Significance

 

Representatives of the National Park Service visited the property in 2013 and found that, in addition to state protections, all the Historic Wintersburg structures are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Huntington Beach confirmed this designation in their General Plan, after a professional historic resources survey, which added Historic Wintersburg to the list of California’s precious historical and cultural resources.

 

Designated a National Treasure in 2015 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Wintersburg is owned by Republic Services and remains endangered.

How to Help

 

The grassroots effort to save Historic Wintersburg is now partnered with Heritage Museum of Orange County! HMOC will steward donations in a dedicated account to help continue the discussions with Republic Services to purchase the property for preservation of the structures and for the plans to regreen and reopen the farm.

DONATE to help save Orange County’s National Treasure Historic Wintersburg:

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Online - 

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Or sign up to volunteer!

By Mail - 

Mail your donation to

 

Heritage Museum of Orange County,

3101 W. Harvard St.

Santa Ana, CA 92704,

 

with the subject line message "Historic Wintersburg Preservation Fund."

Heritage Museum of Orange County is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

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