Museum Events
History at your Home!
Join us for these free Zoom talks about local history. Presentations are streamed on Facebook Live and recorded.
History Happy Hour at the Museum
Join us for lively talks about local history (with wine!).
Watch past talks on TVSB or online HERE.
History Happy Hour at Home
Spanish Colonial Style: The Craigs
Wednesday, May 31
5:00 PM
Location: ZOOM
Santa Barbara underwent an architectural sea change during the early decades of the 20th century based upon variants of the now ubiquitous Spanish Colonial style. Among the key architectural designers fueling this movement was the married couple, James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig, he responsible for the famed El Paseo complex, she the designer of the evocative Plaza Rubio housing division opposite the Santa Barbara Mission. James Osborne Craig died tragically young in 1922; Mary went on to forge a successful architectural career of nationwide repute. Pamela Skewes-Cox, the Craigs’ granddaughter, examines their architectural impact as well as the professional and social circles in which they moved.
Pamela Skewes-Cox is co-author (with Robert Sweeney) of the book, Spanish Colonial Style: Santa Barbara and the Architecture of James Osborne Craig and Mary McLaughlin Craig.
1st Thursday
Join us after hours
Thursday, June 1
5-7:00 PM
Location: Museum
Enjoy access after hours with wine and music while you explore our galleries, including our latest exhibitions featuring the bohemian Mountain Drive community and portrait artist Clarence Mattiei.
Free entry. No RSVP required.
Flamenco Íntimo
Join us for an intimate show
Thursday, June 8
7:00 PM
Location: Covarrubias Adobe
Award winning dancer/singer Manuel Gutierrez and guitarist Andres Vadin’s bring you an intimate evening of flamenco in the Museum's Spanish era adobe. They'll be joined by guest artist Jack 'Joaquín' Harwood.
The opportunity to experience this intimate evening is thanks to the Schlinger Family Foundation. Co-hosted by Flamenco Santa Barbara
Flamenco Íntimo
Join us for an intimate show
Thursday, June 22
7:00 PM
Location: Covarrubias Adobe
Award winning dancer/singer Manuel Gutierrez and guitarist Andres Vadin’s bring you an intimate evening of flamenco in the Museum's Spanish era adobe. They'll be joined by guest artist Jesalyn McCollum.
Co-hosted by Flamenco Santa Barbara
Opening of Project Fiesta! 99 Years!
Celebrate history with us
Thursday, July 6
4:30 PM Members Reception
5-7:00 PM General Public Opening
Location: Museum
For 99 years, since its founding in 1924, the pageantry of Old Spanish Days Fiesta has been a favorite subject of photographers. As we approach the landmark 100th anniversary of Santa Barbara’s largest civic celebration, we present 99 images of Fiesta curated from the Museum’s Gledhill Library’s extensive archive. Viva!
Free entry. No RSVP required.
Everything Fiesta!
A talk about Old Spanish Days history
Wednesday, July 12
5:30 PM
Location: Museum
This year's Fiesta El Presidente and Old Spanish Days historian David Bolton takes on a historic journey through the first 99 years of Fiesta. As we look to next year's Old Spanish Days centennial celebration, David will examine the unique stories behind our beloved summer-time celebration.
As this year's Fiesta El Presidente, David Bolton culminates his six decades of passion for Santa Barbara's rich history, culture and traditions. He is the executive director of the California Missions Foundation and has spent more than 30 years exploring everything from our historic foods, people and celebrations. In 2019, he received one of Spain's highest civilian honors -- a knighthood by King's Felipe VI -- for his efforts tracing and documenting the roots of our early Spanish settlers, and their food, religion, architecture and culture.
La Fiesta del Museo
Celebrate history under the stars
Saturday, July 22
6:00 PM
Location: Museum
The Museum's annual fundraiser honors the traditions of Old Spanish Days with an elegant evening of fabulous food, performances, and of course - dancing!
Tickets are very limited.
For sponsorship and ticket information click HERE.
Current Exhibitions
Memories of Mountain Drive: Santa Barbara's Bohemian Community
In the late 1940s a unique community began to form in the South Coast foothills. Now, through works of art, photographs, written and recorded personal reminiscences, the Historical Museum presents the story of the flowering of this enclave of free spirits which took its name from the road which wound through its heart: Mountain Drive.
Through June 25
Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community
Portraitist Clarence Mattei (1883-1945) captured images of notable figures on the local, national and international stages. He had deep roots in the county; his father, Felix, founded the famed Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos as a stagecoach stop. After time spent in Paris and New York City, Mattei returned to Santa Barbara where he became an important member of the arts scene. The Museum's new exhibition showcases the work of this versatile artist in oil, pen, pencil, and charcoal.
Through September 17
Upcoming Exhibitions
Project Fiesta! 99 Years
For 99 years, since its founding in 1924, the pageantry of Old Spanish Days Fiesta has been a favorite subject of photographers. As we approach the landmark 100th anniversary of Santa Barbara’s largest civic celebration, we present 99 images from the Museum’s Gledhill Library’s extensive archive. Viva!
Opening July 6
