The Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum — Attraction in Santa Ana

I might be biased, as Dr. Howe-Waffle is my great-great-grandmother, but I find the Howe-Waffle House a treasure on so many levels. The doctor fought to get into the American Medical Association (AMA) at a time when women were not admitted. Her medical office on display is particularly fascinating (be grateful for modern obstetric tools, ladies!). She also divorced her first husband and remarried, hyphenating her name when that was rarely done. She was a naturopath and baby doctor who delivered many area citizens, including my grandmother and great aunt. She rode all over muddy rural Orange County visiting patients in a horse-drawn carriage with a pearl-handled revolver under her seat.

The house showcases Victorian architectural details you rarely see today. I love the ornate carved wood staircase and trims, period furniture and wallpapers, stained glass windows, period clothing and accessories.

I’ll be there for the 130th anniversary of the Howe-Waffle House Sat., July 20,...

Awesome treat for the whole family!!! Will definitely make this a Christmas tradition. I have always driven by this place, but it has never been open to go in. I took my spouse and two boys. We were merrily greeted by the society volunteers dressed as nutcrackers!!! It was so eloquently decorated. The food served looked fake it was so beautiful and precisely arranged. They also passed out a Christmas keepsake for our tree! So much history and scandal! My children loved the attic steps that of course they couldn't go up and the speak tube used by patients to speak to the Doctor through. Being a nurse, I really loved the medical aspect. We will be sure to make this a Christmas tradition and donate to it's future preservation fo...

4/5 since it was a mostly positive mix! Our tour went longer than we planned (we dropped out around the 90min mark, looked like 2hrs total) and was focused on clothing and the building history more than the medical side - which was a bummer since this is the only permanent medical museum in southern California we could find. But overall everyone was very kind, they even set out tea and cookies for the end of the tour, and were dressed lovely. Would go again, but with a very different set of expectations and goals. Victorian historians looking for a low key tour will really enjoy it, doctors with tight schedules might instead make plans to leave southern California for a more serious...