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.

Reservation Required. Click HERE.

Cramer House, Montecito
Photo by Matt Walla

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

Reservation required. Click HERE.

Flamenco Intimo copy

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

Reservation required. Click HERE.

Flamenco Intimo copy

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.

PF Slide 11

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.

Reservation required, click HERE.

Fiesta Courthouse

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.

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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

Mountain Drive Image

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

mattei self portrait crop

 


 

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

OS_1920s_Fiesta 1925 Collinge 002