Founded in 1963 by Dr. Pearl Chase and other community leaders, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) works to preserve, restore, reconstruct and interpret historic sites in Santa Barbara County. SBTHP operates El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, Santa Barbara’s 18th century birthplace, under a unique agreement with California State Parks. Recently purchased, the neighboring building that housed Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens provides an opportunity to interpret the history of Santa Barbara’s Asian American community in the Presidio neighborhood. SBTHP also owns and operates Casa de la Guerra, the 1820s home of Presidio Comandante José de la Guerra and his family. The restored home is now a museum featuring original furnishings and rotating exhibits. Recently SBTHP signed an agreement with State Parks to manage and develop the Santa Inés Mission Mills near the town of Solvang as a future California State Park. These are a few of the projects SBTHP is presently pursuing—learn more!

On Exhibit at the Casa Haass Adobe Watercolors, featuring exquisitely detailed watercolors by Fridolin Haass (1886-1959) depicts Santa Barbara's historic adobes. Commissioned in the early 1950s by community leader Pearl Chase through the Plans and Planting Committee of the Santa Barbara Community Arts Association, these paintings document the Hispanic architectural heritage of Santa Barbara and capture the beauty and uniqueness of each adobe edifice. More!	Upcoming Events Día de los Muertos Celebrate Día de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead,” with a free family craft workshop at Casa de la Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. Discover the fascinating history of this special holiday while making skeleton masks, decorating sugar skulls, designing traditional tissue paper marigolds and creating holiday prints. Traditional Día de los Muertos refreshments, including pan de muerto and Mexican hot chocolate, served. More!
YES for State Parks! Support the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Fund Act From the beaches to the redwoods and recreational areas, California's 278 state parks need help! More	Find us on Facebook Find us on facebook! Did you enjoy your visit to one of SBTHP's historic sites? Spread the word via facebook. Stay up-to-date on upcoming events and exhibits and share with others. Check it out!
Help Make History Membership Matters! Join SBTHP and receive free admission to all Trust sites, gift shop discounts, advanced notice for special events and exhibits, and much more..	On Exhibit at El Presidio "Ceramics Rediscovered: Science Reshapes Understanding of Hispanic Life in Early California" Discover how ceramics were made, used and traded in early California. More