As Executive Director of the Heritage Museum of Orange County I am coming to you with an urgent plea: the Kellogg House is in danger and needs your help!

This 1898 Queen Anne Victorian has been an integral and iconic part of our nonprofit Orange County museum’s almost 12-acre grounds for over 40 years and it is more than just a building; it is a living history museum that provides a window into our past, bridging yesteryear with today and providing a tangible connection for countless community members to our heritage. As a backdrop to school field trips, it plays a vital role in educating current and future generations about early Orange County history.

Unfortunately, the authentic wood shingle roof of the Kellogg House has deteriorated significantly over the years, and recently sustained heavy rain damage in the last few storm seasons with water damage starting to occur inside the home. It poses a threat not only to the structural integrity and interior of the house but also to the safety of the children, educators, community and staff who visit. Without immediate action, we risk losing this invaluable resource, and we need your help now to prevent that. If we lose this integral part of the museum, we not only lose this historically significant home but also one of the main sources of revenue that keeps the museum open to the public.

Our Request:
We are seeking your support to help fund the replacement of the three-story roof, which we have received estimates that are approximately $45,000. In an incredibly generous start to this effort a key benefactor Kellogg Garden Products has offered to match all contributions up to $20,000! We are confident, with your help, that we can raise the remaining $25,000 and make this important goal a reality. This restoration is essential to ensuring that the Kellogg House can continue to serve as a nonprofit educational tool and a community treasure for years to come. By contributing to this project, you will be helping to preserve a vital piece of history and supporting the education of thousands of children every year.

Find out more about the Kellogg House and the Kellogg Family history with photos, video walkthroughs, research and more at HeritageMuseumOC.org/Kellogg-house

The Educational Impact:
Every year, over ten thousand schoolchildren visit HMOC and the Kellogg House where they engage in hands-on learning experiences that bring history to life with a glimpse into what a day was like in Orange County over 125 years ago, including making butter, washing clothes on a washboard and trying on clothing from the Victorian era. The programs offered at the house are designed to align with educational standards while fostering a love of history and an understanding of our shared past.

These field trips provide a unique opportunity for students to learn outside the classroom, making history not just something to be read about, but something to be experienced, with the memories and lessons learned staying with the children many years later.

More information on our Educational Programs can be found at HeritageMuseumOC.org/programs

How You Can Help:
Your tax-deductible contribution to our nonprofit Kellogg House Roof Replacement Campaign by December 31, 2024 is invaluable to making sure this living piece of history remains a community resource for many years to come. We are hoping to have the roof replaced in the early part of 2025. Additionally, we welcome any introductions or connections you may have to potential contractors who specialize in the restoration of historic buildings and are interested in partnering with HMOC on this project. We will be recognizing donors with a beautiful plaque on the Kellogg House with their names and respective giving levels:

$20,000 + Patron
$10,000-19,999 Advocate
$5000-$9,999 Benefactor
$1000-$4,999 Supporter

Thank you for your time and consideration of this urgent request. I would be happy to discuss the project
further and provide any additional information or documentation you may need. Together, we can ensure that the Kellogg House remains a place of learning and inspiration for many generations to come.

Sincerely,
Candace Chromy
Executive Director
cchromy@heritagemuseumoc.org

Donations can be made through GiveButter.com/HMOCRoofFund or checks forwarded to the address below.

Heritage Museum of Orange County is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID No.: 95-3665050

3101 West Harvard Street, Santa Ana, CA 92704

P: (714) 540-0404 | F: (714) 540-1932

HeritageMuseumOC.org

Save the Kellogg House Roof Fund

Help us fund the replacement roof necessary to preserve this historical Orange County community treasure!