SBTHP

Hello SBTHP Community,    We have some exciting news to share! We’ve updated our brand identity with a new look that celebrates the diverse history and cultures of Santa Barbara County.    This rebrand isn’t just about a new logo; it’s about breathing new life into our visual presence to create a timeless, enduring, and inclusive brand. Our goal is to inspire a new generation of preservation advocates and connect with a wider audience, from lifelong history enthusiasts to those just discovering Santa Barbara’s past and ongoing cultural heritage.  Our new creative direction embraces a forward-looking vision while honoring the rich legacies of our region. The new logo incorporates symbols from multiple cultures, including Indigenous, Asian, and Hispanic traditions, which all come together in a new and unified form.    We invite you to explore our new look and learn more about our shared impact as we celebrate Santa Barbara’s unique multicultural heritage.    Stay tuned for more updates about our upcoming initiatives, community programs, and contributions to historical archaeology and preservation!    Visit us at sbthp.org!    Thank you for your continued support,  The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

At SBTHP, we believe that understanding and practicing history is crucial for sustaining healthy individuals, communities, and the nation. Whether you’re joining us on a school tour, attending one of our public programs, or just stopping by for a visit, our goal is to provide a welcoming and accessible gathering place for Santa Barbarans and all our visitors.   We’re on a mission to inspire preservation advocacy and create a more vibrant community. We’re proud to be a part of the @Presidio_Neighborhood ! Come visit us soon to be a part of it!

We are nearly a week into our rebrand launch, and wanted to share the inspiration behind our new imagery. Our new creative direction embraces a forward-looking vision while honoring the rich legacies of our region. Our logo incorporates a symbol drawn from similar but distinct iconography from multiple cultures, including Indigenous, Asian and Hispanic traditions, which come together here in a new form. We invite you to explore our new look and learn more about our shared impact as we continue to celebrate Santa Barbara’s unique multi-cultural heritage.

Please join us at Casa de la Guerra on Sunday, May 17th at 2:00pm for a special panel presentation about SBTHP’s new, “Fine Print, Hard Lines: Housing & Exclusion in Santa Barbara” exhibit.   Learn more about the Santa Barbara County’s ongoing Restricted Covenant Modification project. Go behind the scenes and hear about the process of creating “Fine Print, Hard Lines,” and learn more about the lasting effects and legacies of Santa Barbara’s history of housing discrimination and exclusion.   This special panel includes Santa Barbara County’s Chief Deputy Clerk-Recorder Melinda Greene and Curators Katherina Gontaryuck and Fleurette Juda, in conversation with SBTHP’s Associate Director Kevin McGarry & Presidio Research Center Director, Dez Alaniz.   After the panel and some Q&A, visit Casa de la Guerra to view the new exhibit and enjoy a light reception with food, refreshments and music in the Casa courtyard.   Event Details  Where: Casa de la Guerra located at 15 E. De La Guerra St. When:  Sunday, May 17th, 2026, from 2:00pm – 3:30pm  More About the Exhibit: SBTHP’s new exhibit explores the role that discriminatory housing policies and practices, such as the use of “fine print” restrictive covenants, played in shaping the Santa Barbara we experience today. Featuring a mix of historical sources, including property records, real estate ads, newspaper articles, and maps, “Fine Print, Hard Lines” reveals how discriminatory restrictions left lasting social inequities and barriers that continue to affect the lived experiences of Santa Barbara residents. The exhibit also provides information about the County-Clerk Recorder’s Office’s current efforts to identify and redact restrictive covenants in Santa Barbara County area housing deeds and titles. SBTHP recently received a grant from the state aimed at preventing hate crimes. This program, administered by the California Department of Social Services in partnership with the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, is part of ongoing efforts in California to provide direct support for communities impacted by hate incidents and support victims.

Join SBTHP for a free, virtual community training on bystander intervention in our public and community spaces. Become better equipped to support someone who is being demeaned or harassed. Learn how to demonstrate to the people in your life that they too have the power to make our communities safer.  RIGHT TO BE’s “5Ds of Bystander Intervention” are designed to be safe for all to use and to not escalate situations. Join in the effort to move towards a world free of hate and harassment. Anyone can use the “5Ds” when witnessing prejudice, mistreatment, or harassment.  All are welcome. There are two, free one-hour virtual bystander trainings available: • Wednesday, May 13th, 12:00 – 1:00pm • Thursday, May 21st, 5:30 –6:30pm To register for one of the two trainings, select a date from our event calendar! (Link in bio) To learn more about @righttobeorg , visit: righttobe.org   SBTHP recently received a grant from the state aimed at preventing hate crimes. This program, administered by the California Department of Social Services in partnership with the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, is part of ongoing efforts in California to provide direct support for communities impacted by hate incidents and support victims.

We are officially one month away from our 5th Annual Presidio Orchard Party!  Join us June 6th from 4 – 7pm in the beautiful orchard at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park (123 E. Canon Perdido) for an evening to remember. Enjoy delicious bites from @BuenaOndaSB and @El_Zarape_SB , and tastings from @AuBonClimat , @BranderVineyard , @CarrWinery , @cutlers_distillery , @FigMtnBrew , and @LucasLewellen . There will also be an assortment of raffle prizes and a special performance by @MezcalMartini ! Get your tickets to POP! for $100, with a discounted price for SBTHP members. For more information, visit sbthp.org/pop!

For this month’s Presidio Weekend Activity, learn how to roll your own tapered beeswax candle! All materials provided, and all ages are welcome! When: 10:30 - 11:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays* Where: El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park (123 E. Canon Perdido) * Presidio Weekend Activities are paused on days we hold other public programs. For more information, visit sbthp.org/events!

Learn how archaeologists uncover and interpret clues to reconstruct the history of Santa Barbara at Presidio Archaeology Camp! Participants will receive instruction from archaeologists on basic excavation techniques, artifact processing methods, artifact identification, archaeological drawing, and mapping.   DETAILS When: July 6 - 10, 2026 from 9:30am - 1:00pm Where: El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park  (123 E. Canon Perdido) Ages: 10 - 15   For more information, visit sbthp.org/archcamp.

Join @sunanthespace and SBTHP for 1st Thursday! Be the first to view, “Fine Print, Hard Lines,” SBTHP’s new exhibit about the history of housing discrimination and exclusion in Santa Barbara, and learn about Chumash culture and history with The SPACE!   When: Thursday, May 7th from 5 - 8pm Where: Casa de la Guerra (15 E. De la Guerra)   We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for our fifth-annual COMMUNITY HISTORY DAY on Saturday, May 9th at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park.     COMMUNITY HISTORY DAY is a free, family friendly festival that offers fun and educational cross-cultural experiences for all! Come help our community celebrate & commemorate the diverse peoples and cultures that have shaped Santa Barbara!     Attendees will enjoy free hands-on activities, learning stations and arts & crafts led by local organizations. Get your face painted, take a historian-led Presidio Neighborhood walking tour, support local artists and experience live, outdoor music and dance performances.    DETAILS When: Saturday, May 9, 2025, 11:00am – 2:00pm  Where: El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park (123 E. Canon Perdido)     Visit sbthp.org/chd to learn more!     This event is sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust

There’s one week left to register for our 4th Annual Golf Tournament at Glen Annie Golf Course on April 24! Whether you are a scratch golfer or a community supporter, there is a place for you on our field. Golf isn’t your thing? Dinner tickets are available for our buffet style menu, as well as a raffle prize that includes a 1 night stay + breakfast at the luxurious Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa! (@RanchoValencia ) Register by April 17. For more information, visit sbthp.org.

Try your hand at penning a letter the old-fashioned way for this month’s Presidio Weekend Activity! All materials will be provided, from quills to ink and paper and a colorful wax seal. This activity is free, and all are welcome! When & Where:  Saturdays and Sundays this April at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park (123 E. Canon Perdido) from 10:30 - 11:30am.