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Work Begins on Phase III of the Presidio Northwest Corner Project

Work to-date on Phase III of the Presidio Northwest Corner Reconstruction Project.

In late December 2007 work began on the third phase of the Presidio Northwest Corner Project - the reconstruction of two additional adobe rooms originally added to the end of the Presidio's west wing sometime before 1797. Channel Coast Corporation is now well underway with the foundation stones set (see picture) over the original Presidio footprint and the reinforced concrete columns (a modern addition required for earthquake safety) now erected. Soon workers will begin placing the adobe bricks - made by hand onsite at El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP. Be sure to stop by and check it out before it's complete!

The Northwest Corner Project at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park consists of the multi-phased development of the northwest corner of the Presidio quadrangle. Phase I, the construction of four new A.D.A. compliant unisex restrooms available to park visitors, was completed in 2005. Phase II, including the construction of a new two-room adobe Visitors' Center and a new A.D.A. compliant access ramp at the park's Canon Perdido street entrance was completed in June 2006. Phase III, the reconstruction of two additional adobe rooms originally added to the end of the west wing of the Presidio sometime before 1797 has just begun. Phase IV, the final phase of the Northwest Corner reconstruction, will include the associated adobe yard walls, and portions of the western and northern defense walls enclosing this corner of the Presidio quadrangle, as well as stonework on Canon Perdido street marking the original foundation of the Presidio.

For more information on the Presidio Northwest Corner Reconstruction Project and how you can help click here.

SCAPE Paint-Out at the Santa Inés Mission Mills

Trust Archaeologist Mike Imwalle explains the history of the Santa Inés Mission Mills to a group of SCAPE artists on Saturday, February 9th 2008.

On Saturday, February 9th Trust Archaeologist Mike Imwalle and PR | Membership Coordinator Jared Brach escorted a group of 20 artists from SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) to the Trust owned Santa Inés Missions Mills in Solvang for a special "paint-out." The weather was perfect as Imwalle gave the group a general history of the site before the artists spread out and began to work. Within hours the efforts of these talented artists began to take shape, producing spectacular images of the property from a variety of angles and vantage points.

The Trust is restoring the Santa Inés Mission Mills and working to develop the site as a future State Park. The site is not currently open to the public and has rarely been painted. SCAPE held a "paint-out" at another Trust site - El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park - earlier this year.

SAVE THE DATE: The SCAPE Annual Reception for Artists will be held on Thursday, April 3rd at the Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum. On display will be a series of new paintings from SCAPE members, including works depicting the Mills and other historic sites in Santa Barbara County. The Trust is proud to co-sponsor this annual event with paintings available for sale one night only! Proceeds benefit SCAPE and the Trust for Historic Preservation. Don't miss it!

Save our State Parks - What You Can Do to Help Our Parks

Go to the Save Our State Parks Campaign, a project of the California State Parks Foundation

As one of California's 278 historic parks and sites El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park - operated by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation - joins our fellow Californians in expressing disbelief and outrage over the proposed State Park closures in Santa Barbara County and throughout the state. On January 10, the Governor released the $141 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09, which begins on July 1, 2008. Included in the budget is the proposal to close 48 state parks - that's almost 20 percent - and reduce the number of lifeguards on 16 state beaches in Santa Cruz, Orange and San Diego Counties.

While El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP is not on the closure list, the 48 parks slated to be shutdown represent some of the most significant cultural, historic, and natural resources in California. Of special note are our friends to the north at La Purisima Mission SHP. Regarded as one of the greatest living history sites in all of California - with living history programs many sites can only aspire to - losing this gem in the State Parks system would affect thousands of schoolchildren who visit each year.

Currently these proposed closures are only estimated to achieve a mere $9 million savings - little financial gain when considering the impact on millions of California teachers, schoolchildren and families who visit these Parks each year. Closing California's treasured parks undermines a legacy that has been established for future generations. The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation joins the California State Parks Foundation and countless other organizations and individuals in urging the Legislature to reject the Governor's proposal.

For a complete list of State Parks proposed for closure click here. For more information on how you can help reject the Governor's proposal visit the California State Parks Foundation online. We hope you will join us in the fight for our State Parks.

Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation’s 45th Annual Meeting Highlights

Trust board member Mary Louise Days presents State Historic Preservation Officer Milford Wayne Donaldson with the 2007 Pearl Chase Historic Preservation and Conservation Award.

Craig A. Makela was named new Board President at the Trust for Historic Preservation's 45th Annual Meeting and Community Awards Presentation on January 12, 2008. In addition, the Trust unanimously elected community leaders Rob Rossi and Jack Theimer to join the Board of Directors and reelected incumbents Timothy Aguilar, W. Elliot Brownlee, Suzanne Schomer, Anthony P. Spann, and Mike Stoker.

Los Soldados de Cuera began the afternoon ceremony which featured guest speaker Assembly Member Pedro Nava. As part of the community awards presentation the Trust presented the George and Vie Obern Preservation Stewardship Award to the Chung Family for their contribution to the development and preservation of Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens as a vibrant and diverse gathering place in the hub of the Presidio Neighborhood. State Historic Preservation Officer Milford Wayne Donaldson received the prestigious Pearl Chase Historic Preservation and Conservation Award for his lifetime of leadership in historic preservation. Consul General of Spain in Los Angeles Inocencio F. Arias was designated a Life Honorary Member for his ongoing support of the Trust. Former Board President, the late James D. Scheinfeld was named a Life Honorary Trustee for his significant contributions to the Trust over his eleven years of service on the Board of Directors.

SEE WHAT YOU MISSED! For photo highlights from the 45th Annual Meeting and Community Awards Presentation click here. All photos are courtesy of Clint Weisman Studio. Look for more information on the 2008 Annual Meeting in the next issue of La Campana.

“Sacred Steps: Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago” comes to the Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum – Exhibition highlights 1,000-year-old Spanish pilgrimage route

Some portions of the Camino have remained unchanged for a millennium, such as this view of broad plains of green crops beneath a crisp blue sky. Photo by Tom Wood.

This March the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation presents “Sacred Steps: Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago,” a traveling exhibition featuring 38 contemporary photographs and works of art depicting one of the most storied pilgrimage routes in all the world.

With images captured on film and canvas by contributing artists during their own pilgrimage in Spain, this fascinating exhibit celebrates the experience of modern day pilgrims from the United States and Canada as they follow the historic Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain.

At its height in the Middle Ages, the basilica of Santiago de Compostela was second only to Rome and the Holy Land in attracting Christian pilgrims. The exhibition illustrates the resurgent interest since the 1980s in the 500-mile trek from the French border to the basilica, which is believed to contain the remains of the biblical apostle St. James.

SAVE THE DATE : The opening reception for “Sacred Steps: Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago” will take place on Friday, March 7 from 4:30 to 6:30pm at the Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum. The exhibit will run from Thursday, March 6 through March 30, 2008. For more information call (805) 965-0093 or visit www.sbthp.org

1st Thursday at the Casa de la Guerra

Also featuring a special performance by Violinist, Band Leader and Composer Chris Murphy. You won't want to miss this! For more information visit chrismurphymusic.com

SAVE THE DATE:

Thursday, March 6 - 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Casa de la Guerra - 15 E. De la Guerra St, Santa Barbara
Free admission
Refreshments served
*TRUST MEMBERS receive complimentary wine
For more information (805) 965-0093

Trust Welcomes Four New Docents - Volunteer Educators Help Share the Story of the Santa Barbara

New and veteran Trust docents pose in front of Casa de la Guerra before a tour of the historic house museum by Trust archaeologist Michael Imwalle.

The Trust’s Education Department could not operate without the dedication of its volunteer docents. In February, four new docents completed the training required to join the ranks of our dedicated educators. The four-session program taught future docents about the Chumash, Santa Barbara Presidio, Casa de la Guerra and Los Soldados de Cuera. All four are UCSB students and are eager to help present the Presidio and the Casa de la Guerra to the public. We would like to congratulate and welcome Andreas Booher, Melanie Parker, Tiffany Polfer and Cassandra Smith as our newest docents!

For more information on how you can be involved in the Trust's education department, call Director of Education Karen Anderson at (805) 962-9504 or email her at karen@sbthp.org

Give the Gift of Membership

Looking for a unique gift? Give the gift that keeps on giving all year long - a membership with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Filled with history, creativity, and entertainment, membership means exciting exhibitions and events that friends and family can enjoy all year long. For a complete list of membership benefits visit us online. Gift memberships can be purchased at the Museum, by calling our Membership Department at (805) 966-1279, or by emailing Membership Manager, Jared Brach.

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 us online or call (805) 965-0093.