Upcoming Events --- Roots Lecture w/David Hurst Thomas, July 13th at 7pm, Presidio Chapel --- "Pinturas para Fiesta" Opening Reception, July 19th from 6-8pm, Casa de la Guerra --- Presidio Pastimes - Sunday, July 30th from 12noon-3pm, El Presidio de Santa Barbara

"Reharvesting Ramona's Garden: Romance & Reality in California's Mythical Past," a presentation by David Hurst Thomas, Ph.D.
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 7:00pm
El Presidio Chapel
FREE for Trust Members, $10 for Non-Members

Join guest speaker David Hurst Thomas, Curator of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History, as he discusses his recent archaeological excavations and the romance and reality associated with the mission era of America’s Spanish Borderlands (Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California).

While earlier in the century many Spanish missions were excavated and restored; scholarly interest in the sites dwindled and has only recently been revived. Drawing upon new archaeological evidence, including his excavations at Mission San Marcos, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Thomas offers a more accurate vision of America’s early Spanish heritage by integrating field archaeology and documentary history into the study of the Spanish Borderlands.

Join us as Thomas explains how Anglo-American myths regarding California's Hispanic heritage, along with the restoration of the California missions as cultural monuments has created a nostalgic view of the past to which, until recently, archaeologists have been unable to breakthrough. For Thomas, it is archaeology's potential for opening the historical record to new voices that is truly exciting. Dr. Thomas's scholarly research focuses on redefining the relationship between Native American and anthropological communities while seeking ways to build bridges between the groups' diverse perspectives.

Since 1972, David Hurst Thomas has served as Curator of Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History (New York). He has taught at Columbia University, New York University, University of California (Davis), University of Florida, University of Nevada, the City College of New York, and lectured in more than forty countries. He has organized and directed more than 100 archaeological excavations, including the discovery of the Gatecliff Shelter in Nevada, the deepest archaeological rock shelter in the Americas. A specialist in Native American archaeology, he holds four degrees from the University of California, Davis (Ph.D., 1971) and a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) from The University of the South (conferred 1995). Thomas has written 30 books, edited 90 additional volumes, and written more than 100 scientific papers. His most recent book is the best-selling Skull Wars: Kennewick Man, Archaeology, and the Battle for Native American Identity (Basic Books, 2000).

Cultural Activities & Summer Adventures (CASA) Summer Camp Seeks to Provide Low-Income Children with an Educational & Fun Summer Camp Experience

Camp sessions include learning about: El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park, including its history as a Spanish fortress, adobe brick making, food preparation techniques from over 200 hundred years ago, ceramics, and archaeology done on site, visits to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park & the Santa Barbara Mission, a sample of California’s Mexican period at the Casa de la Guerra Museum, Chumash culture as seen at the Chumash Interpretive Center and Museum in Oakbrook Regional Park and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, nautical history at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and marine life at UCSB’s Marine Science Institute, Carpinteria State Beach, and the Ty Warner Sea Center. Through these various activities the Trust hopes that this experience will help participating children become more caring and thoughtful adults, interested in their community and proud of their heritage.

In Remembrance: The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and the Entire Santa Barbara Community Lose Two Extraordinary Individuals

Rosemarie Fanucchi

New Exhibit at the Casa de la Guerra: "Pinturas para Fiesta"
July 19th - September 4th, 2006
Casa de la Guerra (Open Thurs - Sun, Noon to 4pm)
FREE for Trust Members, $3 for Non-Members

OPENING RECEPTION
Wednesday, July 19 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Casa de la Guerra
Public is welcome

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (Trust) presents “Pinturas para Fiesta” by John Wullbrandt at the historic Casa de la Guerra, from July 19 – September 4, 2006. “Pinturas para Fiesta” includes a series of four paintings inspired by and created for Santa Barbara’s annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta celebration. Local artist John Wullbrandt, reviving a concept developed by artist Theodore Van Cina for one of the earliest Fiestas, designed the series of large format paintings for display during Fiesta events, including the “Las Noches de Ronda” dance program and the crowning of Saint Barbara.

Each piece includes imagery and symbols related to last year’s Fiesta celebration, to the legacy of Fiesta since its inception in 1924, and to Santa Barbara’s vibrant local history and scenic landscapes. Trust Curator, Anne Petersen notes, “the exhibit reminds locals and informs visitors about the special nature of Santa Barbara’s annual Fiesta tradition." This temporary show will be on display at the Casa de la Guerra, historically a central location in many Fiesta-related events, and currently an historic house museum in downtown Santa Barbara. Artist John Wullbrandt explains, “While individually each painting served as a backdrop for last years various Fiesta activities, I’m ecstatic to have them on display together at the Casa de la Guerra for the very first time.”

An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, July 19 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Casa de la Guerra Museum. The public is welcome.

ABOUT the artist - John Wullbrandt, is a self-taught painter known for both his realistic and allegorical images. Wullbrandt lives at his family’s ranch, Rancho Botello, at the top of Rincon Canyon. He is related to Maclovio Antonio Botello I, a vaquero and famed dancer in the earliest Fiestas, and one of Old Spanish Days’ founding members.