About Us

Located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s historic district, Santa Barbara Historical Museum has emerged as an essential landmark for the preservation, exploration, and celebration of Santa Barbara’s regional history.

As one of the oldest cultural institutions in Santa Barbara, the museum is home to a vast archival collection within our Gledhill Library, most recently adding the Santa Barbara News-Press collection, representing one million photographs and 150 years of community history.

Our rotating exhibitions  feature dynamic elements of Santa Barbara’s local traditions, art, and historical events, while our permanent gallery “The Story of Santa Barbara” traces the development of Santa Barbara’s history from the Chumash to the 20th century.

Two historic adobes are preserved in the Museum’s campus, the Casa Covarrubias (1817) and the Historic Adobe (1836).

Entrance to the Museum is free.

Our mission is to inspire meaningful connections to Santa Barbara history.