 |
Monthly Electronic Newsletter - February 2007........................................................................Volume II, Issue II |
eNews is an e-mail publication from the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (Trust) and is an exclusive benefit for Trust members. It is one of many ways we try to show you how much your contribution to the Trust helps us in everything we do. With so much going on, there has never been a better time to be a member of the Trust. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends. |
Upcoming Events - A Taste of the Past: "Tequila Temptations"
Join us for “Tequila Temptations,” the third and final installment in the Trust's “Taste of the Past: Lecture and Tasting Series.” Learn the story behind North America’s first distilled drink and first commercially-produced alcohol before sampling three types of premium tequila. Presented in conjunction with El Cazador del Mar Restaurant, known locally as a prime tequila casa, the presentation will include a brief presentation by El Cazador general manager Alex Castillo on the history of this agave spirit, followed by a tequila tasting featuring Don Julio, one of the oldest tequileras, together with tequila-inspired appetizers. Don Julio Tequila tasting includes: |
| "The Anza Expeditions and the Settling of California"
In 1775, Juan Bautista de Anza led 240 men, women, and children up from the northernmost stronghold of New Spain (near the present-day border between Arizona and Mexico) up to what later became the city of San Francisco. This was the second of two expeditions that pioneered a pathway through unexplored California, and was instrumental in opening up the West to European settlement. In many ways it was to the Pacific Coast what the Mayflower voyage was to the Atlantic. Join us as Guerrero recounts the tales of this historic expedition through the uncharted expanses of New Spain. Vladimir Guerrero is a life-long student of the language, literature, and history of Spain. He holds a Ph.D. in medieval Spanish from the University of California, Davis. Using original translations of the diaries of three key players in these journeys, Vladimir Guerrero chronicles a unique era in world history when priests and military commanders worked together to found cities and when Indian nations and outsiders came together in uncharted desert lands. |
Presidio Resource Center Nears Completion
An ambitious restoration project begun in the early 1990s by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (Trust) has led to the revitalization of this historic site. When complete the building will house all Trust curatorial and research collections, making many items readily available to the public for the first time. The collections document and reflect the peoples who have lived in the Santa Barbara Presidio neighborhood since the eighteenth century. These artifacts, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials are used to support El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park’s exhibits and educational programs, as well as to provide the public with unique resources for local history.
Meticulous research and restoration work includes the microscopic and infrared analysis of five layers of stucco and paint to determine the original color of the building, the restoration of all original doors, windows and hardware, re-roofing of the building using many of the original tiles, and the removal of features not original to the building. Additional efforts to increase community access and reintroduce historic elements to the building include the installation of a wheel chair ramp for handicap accessibility, the installation of a sophisticated drainage system to prevent seepage of moisture into the basement walls and improve overall drainage, repairing the sandstone retaining wall along Canon Perdido Street, seismic stabilization of the building and its structural features, lead and asbestos abatement, and the installation of a new HVAC system to provide climate control and to regulate temperature and relative humidity in the collection storage area of the facility. San Diego-based Heritage Architecture and Planning, and local contractor Channel Coast Corporation have taken every measure to ensure that restoration work and overall building improvements do not disturb the aesthetics of the historic building. Fundraising for the Presidio Resource Center began in 1999 for planning, and a capital campaign was launched in 2003. In 2006 a $323,000 grant from the California Culture and Historical Endowment (CCHE) together with matching funds provided by the Trust, completed the funding for the new Resource Center. Thanks to the donations of hundreds of individuals, private foundations, the City of Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency, and California State Parks, this valuable community resource will soon be complete. When opened, use of the facility and access to the collections will be free of charge to all visitors. |
Two Magical Evenings: Candlelight Concerts in the Chapel Two nights of spectacular Spanish guitar music in the Historic Presidio Chapel highlighted this Valentine's Day holiday for many as the Trust participated in the first annual Santa Barbara Symphony International Guitar Festival. On Tuesday, February 13, guitar sensation Adam del Monte delivered his legendary licks from the genre that is responsible for the most dramatic and demanding guitar techniques - flamenco. The following evening Pablo Sainz Villegas helped guests celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic evening of guitar by candlelight. Villegas blew away the field at the 2006 Christopher Parkening Competition in Los Angeles and he left guests as the Presidio in awe with an inspiring all-acoustic performance. Those lucky enough to attend (both performances were sold out) also enjoyed champagne courtesy of the Trust and a sampling of delicious chocolates from Patchi - a new online chocolate boutique in Santa Barbara. The Trust hopes to partner with the Santa Barbara Symphony in the future for more concerts in the intimate setting of the Presidio Chapel. |
Docent Spotlight: Happy Birthday Mary Partridge
Before moving to Santa Barbara Mary worked at the Villa Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami for thirty-two years, where she was president of docents and volunteers. She also worked for nine years as the University of Miami Lowe Art Museum. In 1998 Mary was ready to move to California to be with her daughter and family. She now lives in a cottage next to her daughter Marianne and son-in-law Jim Poett at Rancho San Julian. Jim Poett is general manager of the 13,000 acre ranch, which has been continuously owned and operated by the direct descendants of Jose de la Guerra. Mary is also a docent at the Santa Barbara Historical Society. An invaluable member of the Trust's docent core, Mary consistently greets visitors to the Casa de la Guerra Museum with a warmth and knowledge that makes locals and out-of-towners feel right at home. By the end of the day the number of flowers from well wishers had multiplied, the birthday cake was nearly gone, and Mary was off to the next party. |
Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation |
This email was sent to you as a benefit of your membership or affiliation with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. To be removed from this list, or to let us know you'd prefer a paper version of this newsletter, just reply to this message. To make a contribution or join the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, visit http://sbthp.org/development.htm |
“Tequila Temptations”.jpg)
"The Anza Expedition and Settling of California"
You may have noticed a new look to the historic 1928 building, soon to be the Presidio Resource Center, at 215 E. Canon Perdido Street in downtown Santa Barbara. A recent paint job, refurbished windows, roof tiles, and doorways are just a few of the many improvements underway at the former Santa Barbara School of the Arts building. 
On Thursday, February 1st, Trust Docent Mary Partridge celebrated her 94th birthday (although she'd swear we had it backwards and she was really 49) while conducting her usual Thursday docent duties at La Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum. With cake and flowers courtesy of her Casa de la Guerra counterpart, Trust staff member and fellow docent Glenn Zimmerman, guests stopped by throughout the day to visit and wish Mary a happy birthday. From Trust staff members to nearby employees, museum guests and fed ex drivers, everyone received a piece of cake and a thank you.