Orange County Archives in Action

Orange County Archives in Action is a group dedicated to bringing together libraries, special collections, museums, cultural heritage institutions and community members to highlight the known and unknown stories of Orange County. By doing so, we aim to increase awareness and improve access to OC’s unique history from a variety of perspectives. We are especially committed to bringing the histories of communities underrepresented, misrepresented or absent from narratives about the OC region to the forefront, and support communities telling their own stories on their own terms. We believe in the power of archives to cultivate understanding and respect, foster collaboration, and build community.

History

Our journey began with the inaugural Orange County Archives Bazaar on November 3, 2018, hosted at the prestigious Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California. Originally named “Orange County Archives in Action: A Regional Archives Bazaar,” this daylong event was an overwhelming success, drawing over 25 exhibitors and over 200 enthusiastic visitors.

Building on this success, we rebranded the event as the Orange County Archives Bazaar and adopted the name “Orange County Archives in Action” for our planning committee. The tradition continued with the 2nd annual OC Archives Bazaar on October 26, 2019, hosted at the Hilbert Museum of California Art in Orange, California, with a theme of “Murals, Memories, and Meaning-Making.”

After a two-year hiatus, the bazaar returned in 2023, setting up shop at the Great Park. Presented by OC Archives in Action, the Orange County Archives Bazaar, themed “Green is the New Orange: The Environment, Art & Us,” brought together libraries, special collections, and cultural institutions and was held in support of the Great Park Gallery’s exhibition, “Life on the Base: MCAS El Toro”. At the 3rd OC Archives Bazaar, we showcased materials from these esteemed collections, shedding light on both familiar and hidden stories of Orange County. In addition to the institutional collection displays, the bazaar featured engaging discussions, presentations, and activities suitable for all ages.

Orange County Archives in Action is proud to continue its mission of sharing the diverse and captivating stories that make Orange County a place of unique historical significance.

OCAIA Planning Committee (2024 – Present)

Patrisia Prestinary, California State University Fullerton

Krystal Tribbett, University of California Irvine

Julia Huynh, University of California Irvine