by Karen Schultz Anderson & Meredith Brockriede
Docents Paul Coyne and Elizabeth Poucher, along with Weekend Interpreter Jen Wold, on a tour of La Purisima Mission SHP with State Park Interpreter Ann Boggess. Photo by Karen Anderson.
Thursday, June 7th is the end of the public school year in Santa Barbara, and since docent activity is greatest with school groups, the SBTHP docent “year” is also drawing to a close. SBTHP staff members are so grateful for our docents who have volunteered their services and provided hours of assistance with tours and living history days. After this winter’s docent training session, we are pleased to be able to add these new names to our docent roster: Jackie Abbud, Kikka Bayly and Joan Melendez.
Though raised in New York City, Jackie Abbud’s father Jack grew up in Santa Barbara, not far from the Presidio. She moved here eight years ago, is a docent at the Old Mission, and enjoys learning about different interpretations of history.
Kikka Bayly, who has been in Santa Barbara since 1974, has a lifelong, sincere interest and fascination with history and diverse cultures that has led to her involvement with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum for the past twelve years. During this time she has served as a docent, head of the docent council, and has assisted at the Gledhill Library.
Joan Melendez is very active in the community, and can often be seen out and about around town. She volunteers at the Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Teddy Bears Program, at the Ty Warner Sea Center and has been a face painter at Summer Solstice for over 35 years.
The Education Department would like to welcome and thank these new docents! Your contributions to our community are greatly appreciated.
We wrapped up the docent “year” with a two-hour tour of La Purísima Mission State Historic Park by State Park Interpreter Ann Boggess. This tour, specially designed for adults with interest and background in Spanish Colonial California, was wonderful, and all who attended enjoyed it immensely. Stay tuned for next fall’s docent activities and field trips!
Karen Anderson is director of education, and Meredith Brockriede is education assistant at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.