SBTHP’s 2025 Presidio by Candlelight Program Offers Attendees Flickers of the Past

Luis Moreno (center right), Mike Mullins and the Baile de California dancers pose in the candlelit Presidio Chapel. Photo courtesy of Diana Replogle-Purinton.  

Each February, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation partners with Downtown Santa Barbara’s 1st Thursday Artwalk program to offer a free, open house-style event in which the public can visit El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park after hours, and experience the Chapel, Parade Ground, Padre’s Quarters, and Comandancia after dark and by candlelight. The idea is to allow visitors to see, feel, smell and hear what the Presidio might have been like at dusk over 200 years ago when the Spanish fort was a home for over 50 soldados (soldiers) and their families. 

For the second year in a row, Presidio by Candlelight happened to fall on an unusually rainy, cold Santa Barbara evening. Despite the light showers, many braved the weather to experience something we only offer the public once a year; a glimpse at what life was like two centuries ago in Santa Barbara after dark. 

This year, due to the stormy weather, most offerings were moved or held inside. Chumash elder and cultural educator, Alan Salazar, greeted visitors in the Comandancia where he told Chumash origin stories, shared about Chumash history and culture, and answered attendees’ questions. Musicians Luis Moreno and Mike Mullins played songs from 1800s California, and accompanied local dance group, Baile de California (led by Director, Diana Replogle-Purinton) who performed Californio folk dances and invited guests to learn the dance steps and join them. Local artist and poet Simon Kiefer was stationed in the Padre’s Quarters where he and his partner, Karenina, shared poems and art by candlelight.  

Attendees were served champurrado and pan dulce from Los Tarascos Bakery & Deli, and mingled with SBTHP staff, members and volunteers. For the first time, we held a pop-up Presidio Gift Shop table by candlelight with locally sourced items for purchase.  

To learn more about SBTHP’s free public programs visit: sbthp.org/programs 

Simon Keifer (right) welcomes attendees in the Padres Quarters with his poetry and artmaking table. Photo by Michael H. Imwalle.