Upcoming Events - Save the Dates!

Mon, Sept. 11th - Sept. 11th concert at Casa de la Guerra | Sat, Sept. 16th - United Way Day of Caring at El Presidio | Thurs, Sept. 28th - Los Distinguidos Reception | Sat, Sept. 30th - Smithsonian Museum Day | For more information Click Here!

2006 Archaeology Field School

The rear courtyard of El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park has a different look these days as ten students participating in an Archaeological Field School offered through Cal Poly Continued Education and the Trust fill the landscape with their tools, excavation “test pits,” and boundless energy. Composed of individuals of various ages, schools and educational backgrounds, this year’s class is focusing their efforts on determining the original ground level of the Santa Barbara Presidio at the time of its second defense wall construction in 1797.

The intensive 6-week course consists of a combination of excavations and laboratory analysis of historical archaeological materials from the northern yard of El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Led by Trust Board of Trustee’s member and Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Dr. Robert Hoover, the Archaeological Field School is now in its fourth year at El Presidio de Santa Barbara. Dr. Hoover explains that El Presidio is the “perfect location for archaeological investigation as the site provides students with the opportunity to collect and catalog data that will help ensure the historically accurate restoration and reconstruction of the presidio’s buildings.” Under the protection of California State Park’s the original site of El Presidio de Santa Barbara has avoided further development, thus making ongoing archaeological research possible. This unique relationship also provides a home for Field School students, many of whom have traveled from out of state and even as far as Scotland to attend, as they camp together at El Capitan State Beach for the duration of the School.

This year’s class has found a variety of fascinating objects, including a collection of artifacts from an apparent trash pit in the rear of the Presidio courtyard. This newly discovered feature has already yielded items from the Spanish, Chinese, and American period in Santa Barbara. Among the artifacts were a porcelain doll, small iron, a variety of china and ceramic dishes, liquor bottles, a cologne bottle, a fork, animal bones, and a bottle from Santa Barbara Soda Works. Trust Archaeologist Bob Sheets believes the items range from 1890 to 1910 and commented that this site is “one of the deepest excavations ever done at El Presidio de Santa Barbara and probably a former disposal location for kitchen waste.” Field School students are currently cataloging their discoveries.

The story of last year’s Field School and the more than 40 years of fascinating archaeological research and practice that has taken place at El Presidio de Santa Barbara was the feature story in the Spring 2006 issue of American Archaeology. Founded on April 21, 1782, El Presidio de Santa Barbara was the fourth and final military fortress constructed by the Spanish along the coast of Alta California. Today the site is by far the most restored of the four California Presidio’s and one of only two sites conducting ongoing archaeological excavations. Dr. Hoover explains that these students’ archaeological work has not only shed light on the history of El Presidio, but also offered insight into the unique presidio neighborhood and the diverse groups that have inhabited it. Through their work “they have been able to contribute to the understanding of other people and periods” in the city of Santa Barbara. This year's Field School is scheduled to conclude on Friday, September 8th, 2006.

ABOUT Archaeology at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation - Archaeological research has played an integral role in the development of El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park for nearly forty-five years. James Deetz conducted the first known archaeological excavation of the Presidio site in 1961. During the late-1960s and early 1970s, a dedicated group known as the Presidio Volunteers focused excavations on the chapel site and the adjoining padre's quarters. Using the 1788 Goicoechea/Fages plan as their guide, they also excavated at various locations around the quadrangle in order to determine the alignment and location of the original presidio quadrangle. The site of the Santa Barbara Presidio has been the focus of numerous archaeological education programs, including the Cal Poly Field School. Under the direction of Staff Archaeologist Michael Imwalle, the Trust continues to conduct field, archival, and laboratory research on a number of ongoing projects within El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park as well as other Trust-owned properties. For more information about Trust archaeology programs or to volunteer, please contact Michael Imwalle at archlab@sbthp.org

Bridges of Santa Barbara County: Spans Across Time
September 19th - January 7th, 2007
Lompoc Museum

In case you missed it the first time around, a condensed version of the Trust's "Bridges of Santa Barbara County" exhibit, formerly featured at the Casa de la Guerra in the summer of 2005, will find a temporary home at the Lompoc Museum. This impressive exhibit features photos and history of significant bridges in the county, including many that are presently in use as well as some historic bridges that have been abandoned or destroyed, such as the controversial Nojoqui Bridge. The show is composed of images from the Santa Barbara Historical Society, Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, and private collections, as well as contemporary photographs by photographer Wm. B. Dewey (see left).

The Lompoc Museum is located at 200 South H Street, Lompoc, CA 93436. Museum Hours: 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It is closed Mondays. Admission is $1 per person. For further information, contact the Museum at 805-736-3888, or email lompocmuseum@impulse.net.