If you care about history and value Santa Barbara's unique heritage, there is a place for you at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP). As a nonprofit organization, SBTHP relies upon the help of enthusiastic individuals who are interested in lending a hand in preserving our city's history. SBTHP is rooted in volunteerism, dating back to its founding in 1963 by a voluntary group of concerned community leaders who sought to restore and rebuild portions of Santa Barbara's Presidio. Over the years volunteers have played an enormous role in the archaeology, research, reconstruction and interpretation of El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and Casa de la Guerra.

Docents

SBTHP Docents at the annual docent training.

SBTHP docents, or "volunteer educators," present interpretive programs for students, the local community, and visitors from around the world. These programs introduce audiences to early California history using SBTHP sites. Special emphasis is placed on docent led guided tours of El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and the nearby Casa de la Guerra, which are offered year-round. Docents also have the opportunity to:

• Help demonstrate early California life and activities at community events.
  
• Present slide-shows and traveling learning trunks at local schools.
  
• Research interesting topics dealing with Santa Barbara’s diverse cultural past.

Completion of docent training is required to become an active SBTHP docent. Docent training is offered each fall and includes training seminars, field trips, regular docent meetings, and special lectures or workshops that serve to enhance docent knowledge. Continued docent education opportunities include ongoing lectures, field trips and other lifelong learning opportunities.

Junior Docents

Junior Docents making adobe bricks at Presidio Pastimes.

SBTHP Junior Docents primarily participate in living history days at
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park. Most junior docents are students aged 8 to 16 years old who are interested in early California history and want to share their knowledge with others. Junior docent candidates are required to attend special training sessions in which they learn about what life was like at the Santa Barbara Presidio in the late eighteenth century. After their training is completed, junior docents dress in period costumes, demonstrate skills that were important for the first colonists, and answer visitor's questions at various living history days. Junior docents are also invited to:

• Help at special education events such as Early California Days, Presidio Pastimes and Las Posadas.
  
• Lead activities at family craft days such as Dia de los Muertos.

Special Event Volunteers

Special event volunteers have the opportunity to help at a variety of entertaining events throughout the year. Event volunteers can start at any time. Schedules are flexible, time and training commitment are minimal. Special event volunteer opportunities include:

• Adobe Brick Making - Help make adobe bricks for the reconstruction of El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park on select days throughout the year.
  
• Dia de los Muertos Craft Workshop - Help greet guests and lead craft demonstrations at this annual family craft day at Casa de la Guerra.
  

• Volunteers help make adobe bricks for the reconstruction of El Presidio de Santa Barbara at the United Way's annual Day of Caring.

  Una Noche de Las Posadas - Lend a hand at this free holiday event commemorating one of Santa Barbara's earliest Christmas celebrations.
  
• Early California Days - Select third grade classes are invited to El Presidio to participate in hands-on living history days each year.
  
• Presidio Pastimes - Free community living history days offered throughout the summer
  
• Casa Cantina - Annual Old Spanish Days Fiesta fundraiser at Casa de la Guerra.
  
• SBTHP's Annual Fundraiser - Help at a variety of benefit events throughout the year, including SBTHP's annual fundraiser - Vinos, Tapas y Arte.

How to Apply

For more information on volunteer opportunities contact SBTHP's education department at (805) 962-9504 or email Director of Education Karen Anderson. Applications accepted year-round. To begin the application process complete a volunteer application (pdf) and return it to:

Attn: Karen Anderson
Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation
123 East Canon Perdido Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2215

Internship opportunities also available! Learn more>>