| Education
The educational mission of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation is to interpret, present and encourage enjoyment of the historical and cultural resources of the Trust to the broadest possible audience.
Education Philosophy
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| Chumash Dancer |
At the Trust we believe history promotes understanding. It shows us where we are by providing a map of mankind's journey. It shows us who we are by revealing our diverse cultural heritage. It shows us what we can be by revealing our incredible progress.
History is the search for truth. It tells us the true story of real people through time. It teaches us about our limits and our possibilities. It reveals the power of our decisions and at the same time teaches the importance of patience and the inevitability of change.
History is enlightenment. It inspires objective thinking and opens new perspectives. It teaches us that ignorance is the foundation of conflict and knowledge is a path to empathy and tolerance.
History enriches our lives. Historical organizations have a unique opportunity to interpret and present history in a way that makes it interesting and relevant in our lives today. This is the educational philosophy of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.
Student Programs
Grade-Specific Tours & Classroom Visits
Teachers may schedule Docent led tours of El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park and Casa de la Guerra throughout the year at no charge. Trained Docent interpreters cater to the group’s grade level (keeping in mind the History/Social Science Framework for California Public Schools) and adapt to teachers’ preferred emphasis. Upon request, Docents may visit your classroom to speak about specific subjects.
Plan Your Visit & Tour
TOUR DETAILS: Approximate Tour Duration: 1 hour
Introductory Video (optional): 15 minutes. (Note: A copy of this tape may be borrowed from the SB County Schools AV Department or the Trust's Education Dept. Call (805) 730-1466 for information.
TOUR RESERVATIONS : To make a reservation contact Jean Liston at (805) 965-0093 or email jean@sbthp.org |
2nd Grade Presidio Tour
An engaging tour of the Presidio presents the story of Santa Barbara’s founding and life in the early days, aiding children in developing a sense of history. Comparisons are drawn with children’s lives today and those who lived in the Presidio community.
3rd Grade Presidio Tour
Students learn about where their city began. They hear where colonists came from, why the fort was built, facts about Presidio daily life and how it differs from the way we live today. In doing so, students can relate the Santa Barbara they know with the beginnings of our city in the Presidio.
4th Grade Presidio Tour
Students learn about the Spanish colonization of New Spain, concentrating on the motives that brought Spanish soldiers and missionaries to Alta California. Their visit to Santa Barbara’s reconstructed Presidio, with discussions about its general characteristics, including why it was built, daily life, and how it operated, will help bring to life this period in history.
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| Students Make Hot Chocolate |
5th & 6th Grade Presidio Tour
Students learn the basic background of our Presidio so they can compare colonization on the East Coast to colonization on the West Coast. This includes physical and cultural differences. Class groups are also exposed to archaeology and its importance as a living science.
Casa de la Guerra Tour
Students visit an early California colonial home and learn about early Spanish and Mexican Santa Barbara and the “Rancho Era.” The tour concentrates on the history of this particular structure, once the economic, political and social center of the pueblo of Santa Barbara and home of the influential De La Guerra family. Children learn about daily life in early Santa Barbara… from work, food and architecture to games and fiestas.
Interdisciplinary Tours & Learning Resources
The Second Anza Expedition Social Studies Unit
This program teaches 4th grade students about Spanish colonization of Alta California and Juan Bautista de Anza’s second expedition. Spain’s equivalent of Lewis and Clark, Anza opened a path from Mexico City to the California coast in 1774. This program sparks young people’s interests in history and serves as a jump-off point to further exploration of the Alta California Missions and Presidios. At the Presidio, students begin by traveling a simulated journey along Anza’s route, learning how good leadership helps bring success. This program can be continued in the classroom, as detailed lessons plans are provided. Students will be assigned a specific historical character with which to identify, work in groups to solve problems that may arise, and keep a journal which includes maps, information, and creative writing exercises.
Casa de la Guerra Letters
4th grade classes learn about the early Santa Barbara City and its government. This program can involve a field trip to Casa de la Guerra for a tour and presentation of hypothetical letters. These “letters” are documents that contain information on Casa de la Guerra, the life of Jose de la Guerra and his family, and other relevant history. They are designed in a letter format and integrate history and ideas of the time (when possible). These documents are first studied in class, prior to the visit. Then during their tour of the site children can reenact the letters in various parts of the house, bringing the information to life with the help of a Docent interpreter and the historical setting surrounding them. The program is designed to fit the California Social Studies Framework by teaching about where and how our city began as well as early California history.
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| Junior Docent Making Adobe Bricks |
Early California Days
3rd grade classes are eligible to participate in this day of living history, held in honor of the founding of the Presidio (April 21, 1782). Students enjoy numerous demonstrations and hands-on activities including weaving, spinning, tile making, adobe brick making, tortilla making, packing a mule, basket making, gardening and archaeology. A special ceremony is held that includes the raising of the flag by young soldiers, singing, dancing and a special appearance by Saint Barbara.
College Events & Presentations
A variety of topics, closely linked to course material, are presented throughout the year by the Trust. Colleges and universities are invited and encouraged to capitalize on our offerings - exhibitions, lectures, performances, films, publications and the Trust’s Research Center.
Community Programs
Plan Your Visit & Tour
TOUR DETAILS: Approximate Tour Duration: 1 hour
Introductory Video (optional): 15 minutes. (Note: A copy of this tape may be borrowed from the SB County Schools AV Department or the Trust's Education Dept. Call (805) 730-1466 for information.
TOUR RESERVATIONS : To make a reservation contact Jean Liston at (805) 965-0093 or email jean@sbthp.org |
Guided Tours
Docent-led tours for 10 or more may be scheduled in advance. These tours focus on one or both of the following sites: El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park - Open daily, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm and the Casa de la Guerra Historic House Museum - Open Thursday through Sunday, Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Living History Demonstrations
These educational events, geared toward families, offer a variety of engaging activities that shed light on the history of early California. Living history demonstrations, hands-on activities, storytelling, and dance performances are a part of these special occasions. These educational events revolve around specific themes and take place on selected weekend afternoons. Activities include:
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| Blacksmith demonstrates forgery at a Living History event |
Blacksmith and Forge
- Los Soldados de Cuera (Presidio Soldiers)
- Food Preparation
- Gardening
- Adobe Brick Making
- Basketry
- Tile Making
- Weaving, Dyeing & Spinning
- Pack Mule and Horse
- Archaeology
Public Lectures
Our bi-monthly lecture series presents a variety of topics pertinent to Borderlands’ history, Santa Barbara and California history, and the Trust’s sites. Visit the Trust's online events calendar for more information.
Off-Site Senior Slide Shows
Slide-illustrated presentations are being offered free of charge to area retirement facilities. This outreach program enables Docents to deliver enrichment programs to seniors who are not readily able to visit our sites. Topics include El Presidio de Santa Barbara, Archaeology, and the Casa de la Guerra.
Cultural Events
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| Una Noche de Las Posadas |
Las Posadas
“Una Noche de Las Posadas” is a traditional reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession begins at the Presidio chapel and winds over to State Street, through Paseo Nuevo and De la Guerra Plaza, and continues to Casa de la Guerra with the singing of Spanish songs. After the event, tamales, traditional desserts and hot chocolate are served.
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| Cinco de Mayo Craft Activity |
Family Craft Events
Throughout the year, the Trust presents free family craft events in the courtyard of La Casa de la Guerra. These events are centered around Mexican holidays such as Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos. These programs celebrate the history and culture of Santa Barbara’s Latino families, bringing together children and parents in a relaxed environment to create holiday artwork. Participants make holiday decorations such as tissue paper flowers, skeleton puppets and masks, ojos de dios, and paper mache piñatas. Traditional Mexican refreshments such as tamales, pan de muerto, and Mexican hot chocolate are served.
Educational Partnerships
The Trust cooperates with a number of institutions and community groups in planning educational programs and occasions. Past affiliations have included the Hispanic Business Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Pearl Chase Society, Citizens’ Planning Association, Downtown Organization, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Historical Society, Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, and the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce.
Santa Barbara Educators' Roundtable
The Trust is actively involved with this group of educators, which initiates institutional collaborations. Participating organizations have on-going projects, including the Passport Program and the monthly Plugged-In Page, a special children’s page featured in the Santa Barbara News-Press.
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| 2006 CASA Summer Campers |
CASA Day Camp
Cultural Activities and Summer Adventures (CASA) is a free summer day-camp based at El Presidio de Santa Barbara. This program will revolve around hands-on activities and field trips. Participants are referred by Santa Barbara Housing Authority (SBHA) Resident Services, and recruited through one-to-one contact with bilingual SBHA staff who are familiar with their individual needs and circumstances. Over two separate two-week sessions in Summer 2006, thirty children from ages eight to twelve will participate in activities and field trips that will increase their knowledge of California history, improve their critical thinking skills, and motivate them to become members of the Trust’s Junior Docent Program.
Anacapa School
Elective courses, teaching Early California History, are offered to high school students. Classes revolve around hand-on activities, guest speakers, and field trips.
VISTAS Lifelong Learning, Inc.
The Trust co-sponsors special courses on a variety of topics throughout the year. For more information about VISTAS visit www.vistaslifelonglearning.org
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