Michael Eckerson July 18, 2023 Drive Online
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Museum sits atop a grassy hill above Malvern Avenue in Fullerton, California. The home is a historical site and hosts an annual motor car show that is not to be missed.
Classic and vintage car owners from all points of the compass come to park their beauties and share them with enthusiastic car fans each year. The show has every kind of vehicle imaginable. You might see the very earliest restored examples of Henry Ford’s Model T sitting right alongside a cutting-edge example of Chevy’s latest mid-engine Corvette.
We have covered this show for many years. One year they featured vintage travel trailers. Oftentimes you can find entire car clubs in attendance. Imagine an entire hill covered with beautiful Jaguars. Pretty awesome. This year, a change was made in favor of a smaller show, but it had the same charm.
Entrance to the show also gives you the opportunity to explore the Cultural Center itself. With regularly rotating art hung on the walls and vintage curios from the Muckenthaler Family behind glass to give you a sense of life in the early 20th century. The architecture of the home itself is worth your time to check out.
The Cultural Center is nestled in a quiet neighborhood in north Orange County. In order not to disturb the surrounding homeowners the Muckenthaler staff arranges off site parking and a free shuttle to take you there and back. Music and the DJ keep the vibe going and at the end of the day an award ceremony presents trophies to the top choices based on judges’ selections.
This show is worth a look even if you’re not in the Orange County area. The diversity of vehicles makes the show extra special.
Be sure to check out the Muckenthaler weekly entertainment schedule. Their outdoor amphitheater hosts live music, and events year-round.
The mission of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center is to conserve the heritage of the Muckenthaler estate while offering exhibitions, performances and stimulating educational programs.
The Muckenthaler home was built by Walter and Adella Muckenthaler in 1924. The 18-room mansion was donated to the city in 1965 by Harold Muckenthaler, who wished to see his childhood home used as a cultural center. In 1999, the Muckenthaler House / Muckenthaler Cultural Center received designation by the National Register of Historic Places. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center offers extraordinary exhibitions, performances, and engaging educational programs to Orange County’s diverse communities and beyond.
Within the grounds that span over 8 acres, there is an opportunity to explore the unique nooks and crannies of the Muckenthaler. To the southeast is a gazebo built from rock, with a seating area for a peaceful time away from life. I imagine there was a time when tea or lunch was served on a hot day. An updated addition to the grounds is the full-size stage with seating and small tables to enjoy the outdoor events hosted weekly. Art adorns the walls inside and is rotated regularly so there is always something new to see.
The mansion itself is a walk back in time. The docents are happy to share the history of when the home was a residence for the Muckenthaler family.
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