Menifee city feature
About this landmark
Vintage automobiles preserved on Highway 74.
The Motte Historical Museum is located at 28380 Highway 74 in Menifee, California 92585. The museum, known locally as "the Barn," displays over 25 vintage automobiles in a building that once served as a produce market from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. The museum is a member of the National Association of Automobile Museums and also holds membership in the Western Museums Association, affirming its role in automotive preservation and community engagement. The collection includes vehicles from the 1910s through the 1960s, with notable examples including a 1910 Ford T Speedster, a 1935 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster, a 1937 Packard V12 Sedan, and a 1941 Lincoln Continental Mark I. These vehicles represent significant milestones in American automotive manufacturing and design.
Origins in a family estate
The collection originated from the estate of John and Evelyn Motte, described as a pioneer farming family in the valley. The Motte family's connection to the region and their preservation efforts through the automobile collection represent an important part of local history. The building that houses the collection operated as a produce market from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s, reflecting the agricultural heritage of the Menifee area. When the produce market operation ended, the structure was repurposed to display the automobile collection and preserve the family's legacy for future generations.
Motte Historical Museum, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2007, formalizing its mission as a community institution. This nonprofit status allows the museum to continue its educational and preservation work while serving the Menifee community. In addition to housing the collection, the museum operates as an event venue, hosting weddings and other gatherings. This dual function allows the facility to serve both as a repository of automotive history and as a space for community celebrations and special occasions.
Visiting the museum
The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with free admission for all visitors. A typical visit takes approximately one hour to tour the collection and view the vehicles on display. The museum directory profile provides additional details about notable vehicles and visiting information for those planning a trip.
The Motte Historical Museum represents a significant preservation effort in Menifee, maintaining a collection that spans over a century of automotive design and manufacturing. For those interested in automotive history or classic vehicles, the museum offers a unique opportunity to see well-preserved examples from an earlier era of American car manufacturing, all within a historic barn structure that itself has a story to tell.
Insurance connection: Protecting valuable property
Homeowners policies provide coverage for personal property, including collections, but with important limits. High-value items like classic automobiles or vintage vehicles are typically subject to special sub-limits within the overall contents limit. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood and earthquake, which require separate coverage. If you own valuable vehicles or collections stored at home, verify coverage limits and discuss whether additional protection is needed. Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: The official museum website and the automotive museum guide profile.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.