eNews is an e-mail publication from the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and is an exclusive benefit for Trust members and friends. 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.

Quintess, LRW, a luxury destination club creating personalized vacation experiences, is pleased to sponsor this email.

"It all Started with a Ditch, La Zanja: The History of the Verdugo Family" - A Presentation by Don Urquidez

The Verdugos came to Alta California as soldados de cuera, or leather-jacket soldiers, with the Spanish army in the late 1700s. In 1784, José Maria Verdugo, in return for his service to the crown, received one of the first land grants in Alta California. This grant netted Verdugo 36,000 acres west of the San Gabriel Mission, which he called Rancho San Rafael. The property included the eponymous Verdugo mountain range and eventually descendents of José Maria decided to contribute parts of their land to map out and officially create the city of Glendale. Learn about life in Early California from a member of the Verdugos, the "first family" of Glendale.

SAVE THE DATE
"It all Started with a Ditch, La Zanja: The History of the Verdugo Family"
Friday, May 9
7:30 pm
Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA
SBTHP Members: FREE | Non-SBTHP Members: $10
Refreshments served
For more information (805) 965-0093

Nature Image, Inc. collects cane from Matilija Creek in Ventura County for use on the roof of two new Northwest Corner Presidio buildings.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara Northwest Corner Reconstruction Update - Harvesting Cane (Arundo donax) for Sheathing on New Adobes

Due to seasonal environmental constraints in Santa Barbara County the Trust was unable to harvest the giant cane (Arundo donax) in local creeks this year. The giant cane was originally introduced to North America in the late 18th early 19th century by the Spanish for use as a building material. Although it looks like bamboo, it is a different species. They are both in the grass family but differ in that bamboo has leaves and Arundo donax has sheaths or blades. Through an agreement with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and its contractor, Nature’s Image, Inc., Channel Coast Corporation was able to collect cane harvested from Matilija Creek in Ventura County. A portion of the cane for the reconstruction was also harvested from a small bunch planted in 2003 at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. Framing Contractors, Gordon Fiano Inc. finished installing the cane on May 2, 2008 and Tait Masonry coated it with a layer of mud for insulation on May 6, 2008. Cambron Roofing is expected to start laying roof tile within the week. Keep your eye on the progress, the building is expected to be completed by May 23, 2008. All photos by Michael H. Imwalle, SBTHP Archaeologist.

Cane roof gets a coat of mud for insulation.	Interior view of the cane roof with beams and rawhide straps in place.	Exterior view of the nearly complete new additions to the Northwest Corner of El Presidio de Santa Barbara SHP.
YOU CAN HELP! Contribute to the final phase of the Northwest Corner Reconstruction Project and help rebuild Santa Barbara's birthplace. For more information visit http://sbthp.org/northwestcorner.htm

Young guests learn about archaeology in the rear courtyard of El Presidio at “Presidio Pastimes.”

"Presidio Pastimes" Returns in Celebration of National Preservation Month

History comes to life with the year’s first “Presidio Pastimes” on Saturday, May 17 from 10:00 am to Noon at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. Step back in time and join in the activities as you experience life in Santa Barbara in the 1800s. Get your hands dirty and make adobe bricks to be used in the reconstruction of El Presidio. Experience Chumash stories and culture with Julie Tumamait-Stenslie. Learn about Early California cuisine with tortilla making and demonstrations in the authentic Presidio cocina (kitchen). Watch the Presidio soldiers (Los Soldados de Cuera) perform drills, while the blacksmith makes nails and horseshoes at a hot forge. Learn about the ongoing archaeology at El Presidio and try your hand at excavation. Practice calligraphy in the Comandancia (Commander’s quarters) and learn about Early California earthenware as you make pottery with help from Master Potter Ruben Reyes.

SAVE THE DATE
Presidio Pastimes
Saturday, May 17
10:00 am to Noon
El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA
FREE Admission
For more information (805) 965-0093

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Recognizes National Preservation Month - This Place Matters

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation joins thousands of individuals and organizations around the country in a nationwide celebration of the 2008 National Preservation Month in May 2008. “This Place Matters" is the theme of the month-long celebration, which is sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Since the National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America, it has grown into an annual celebration observed by small towns and big cities with events ranging from architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fundraising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the National Trust has extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even longer opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement.

Here at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Month 2008 will be observed through numerous community offerings in May that celebrate Santa Barbara diverse and irreplaceable heritage. For more information visit our calendar of events at http://sbthp.org/events2.htm

For more information about National Preservation Month visit http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/preservation-month/

Guests look on as Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum, SB Trust for Historic Preservation Executive Director Dr. Jarrell C. Jackman and SB Contractors Association President Dan George announce plans to green two studios in the historic Plaza de Alhecama (914 Santa Barbara Street).

Historic Plaza de Alhecama Building to get Built Green Environmental Retrofit

A groundbreaking was held on Wednesday, April 30 for the restoration and retrofit of a 1920s era building in the historic Plaza de Alhecama. Santa Barbara Contractors Association members will restore the structure to an environment sensitive, energy efficient, Built Green certified facility in partnership with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Among those in attendance were Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum, Dr. Jarrell Jackman, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) and representatives of the Santa Barbara Contractors Association (SBCA) and the Built Green Santa Barbara program.

The building is located in Plaza de Alhecama and was originally part of the Santa Barbara School of the Arts, the center of the fine arts movement in Santa Barbara from 1927 to 1938. In 1939, community leader Alice F. Schott purchased the School’s property, saving the buildings from an uncertain future. In 1945, Schott deeded the property to the Adult Education Program of the Santa Barbara School District, which they occupied until 1981 before outgrowing the site and moving to a new location. The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation purchased the property in 1980 and sold it to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for incorporation into El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park in 1983. A general plan for the property was adopted by State Parks, the Santa Barbara City Council, and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation in 1988. The studio and workshops have been leased to artists, theater groups, and small businesses while formal plans for the site were developed.

SBTHP Executive Director Dr. Jarrell Jackman touched upon the significance of the project, explaining, “We at the Trust are very pleased to bring together historic preservation and the World of Greening. The very act of rehabilitating an historic structure is an important aspect of the Greening movement, but we are taking it to a higher level by making the studios energy efficient. We feel this is just the first of many future collaborations with the SB Contractors Association and Built Green Santa Barbara.”

SBCA member contractors will install FSC wood throughout, breathable membranes and specialized vapor shields, drainage planes, foam insulation, high performance architectural replacement windows, heat pump technology, low flow and waterless plumbing fixtures, tankless water heater, ultra high efficiency lights, solar water heating, photo voltaic electric generation panels, improved indoor air quality and site water control. The Contractors Association and Built Green Santa Barbara will use the building for offices and classrooms for the next ten years. This unique project will be a model for sustainable remodeling and construction in Santa Barbara.

"Struck by Lightening: Saints and Santeros in the Art of Southwest" - A Special Presentation by Charles M. Carrillo, Ph.D.

A santero of Saint Barbara created by Charles Carrillo.

Charles M. Carrillo, Ph.D. is a pre-eminent santero, a carver and painter of images of saints, from the American Southwest and the 2006 winner of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship. He hails from New Mexico, where he creates his santos, traditional representations of Hispanic religious figures in art. Carrillo not only makes retablos (depictions on flat wood) and bultos (sculpture), but he is a student of the genre as well and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. He has done extensive research not only into the saints depicted in his art, but into the New Mexican santeros who have preceded him. Experience the spirit, history, and innovation of this regional art tradition with Mr. Carrillo on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 pm in the Presidio Chapel. Stop by early to see his carvings and paintings of saints, including the illustrious Saint Barbara.

SAVE THE DATE
"Struck by Lightening: Saints and Santeros in the Art of the Southwest"
Friday, May 30
7:30 pm
Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park
123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA
SBTHP Members: FREE | Non-SBTHP Members: $10
Refreshments served
For more information (805) 965-0093

"Lush Santa Barbara Field with Mauve Cloud to Left" by Lockwood de Forest. Part of the new exhibit now on display at the Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum. Image courtesy of Sullivan Goss.

"Views to Vistas: Impressions of Lockwood de Forest (1850-1932)" Now on Display at the Casa de la Guerra

Featuring more than thirty oil paintings and sketches from the prominent American Orientalist and plein air painter Lockwood de Forest, this is one of the most comprehensive exhibits to-date of an artist who remains central to Santa Barbara history. Comprised of rarely seen paintings from private collections and the Sullivan Goss holdings from the de Forest Estate, “Views to Vistas” explores the contrast in the artist’s early New York works to his later works in Santa Barbara and California. This exhibit runs until the end of June. Don't miss it!

SAVE THE DATE
Exhibit runs May 1, 2008 - June 29, 2008
Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum
15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA
Thursday - Sunday, Noon to 4:00 pm
SBTHP Members: FREE
$3 General Museum Admission
For more information (805) 965-0093

Membership Matters!

Become a member of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and enjoy a host of great benefits throughout the year while simultaneously supporting the preservation of Santa Barbara's unique history. Filled with history, creativity, and entertainment, membership means exciting exhibitions and events that friends and family can enjoy all year long.

This email was sent to you as a benefit of your membership or affiliation with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. If you use spam filters to protect your in-box, please take a moment right now to add jared@sbthp.org to your e-mail address book, spam software whitelist, or mail system whitelist. Adding the address will help ensure that you receive the Newsletter and that your e-mail software displays HTML and images properly. 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.