Help Rebuild Santa Barbara’s Birthplace, A Brick at a Time

Last year the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) won the Green Building Award from the Santa Barbara Contractors Association for the reconstruction of two adobe rooms as part of the Northwest Corner Reconstruction Project at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. Making hand-formed adobe bricks with recycled earth from the original Presidio buildings; harvesting local giant cane for roof sheathing; finishing doors and beams with iron oxide stain made from Presidio soil; building thick, energy-conserving walls—no wonder one hears the term: Brown is the new Green. Earthen architecture in its various forms is seen today as an environmentally sensitive, commonsense approach to building, and it happens to be a central element in our city’s unique story.

Adobe, the oldest building material known to humankind, dates back 11,000 years. Fast forward to today and you discover the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation is promoting this ancient tradition at the heart of our growing city. Two additional adobe rooms of the original Presidio are nearly complete, and we are now embarking on a Buy-A-Brick Campaign to make and lay 14,000 adobe bricks for the reconstruction of a large section of the fort’s original 18th century defense wall. When complete, this project will allow visitors to experience an entire wing of the Presidio, from corner to corner, creating a sense of the size and scale of the original adobe quadrangle which marks Santa Barbara’s birthplace, and provides inspiration for the city’s world-famous architecture.

PROJECT UPDATE: Next Phase of Presidio Reconstruction Begins!

Thanks in part to the support of Buy-A-Brick Campaign contributors; reconstruction of a portion of the Santa Barbara Presidio's 18th century defense wall has begun! Part of the Northwest Corner Reconstruction Project at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, in late August the exact locations for a series of cement support columns were plotted using a combination of archaeological records and original presidio site plans. The columns which are drilled as deep as 8' 9" are a modern addition required for earthquake safety. Presidio foundation stones were hand-excavated at each column location in advance of drilling for the columns which will sit on the original footprint of the second presidio defense wall. Expert masons from Dave Tait Masonry recently completed the sandstone foundations and the section is nearly ready to begin laying adobe bricks—handmade onsite at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara SHP. Be sure to stop by and take a look at the progress!

How You Can Help

Certificate of recognition acknowledging your donation.

Purchase a brick(s) for the reconstruction of Santa Barbara’s birthplace and you or a person you designate will be honored with an official certificate of recognition and acknowledged in a record on display in the Presidio Visitors’ Center. Join the Buy-A-Brick Campaign today and buy a brick(s) for yourself, family and friends, or anyone who has had a hand in making Santa Barbara the place we know and love.

The dream of Santa Barbara’s great citizen activist Pearl Chase was to bring back the Presidio—a tangible connection to our city’s historic beginnings. As the organization she founded in 1963, we at SBTHP are fulfilling that dream, and you can be part of it.

To make an online donation to the Buy-A-Brick Campaign click on the button below. You can use your Visa, MC, or PayPal account to donate money today.*

If you prefer, you can download and print a donation form. Please fax or mail this form, with a check, money order, or credit card information to: Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation 123 East Canon Perdido Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2215 (805) 965-0093 | FAX (805) 568-1999 Fed Tax ID# 95-6111696

For questions regarding credit card payment, gifts of securities or pledging call Kendra Rhodes in the Development Department at (805) 966-1279.

*All donations to the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation will be recognized if so desired. We will of course honor your wish to remain anonymous.