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Santa Barbara Historical Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark Art gallery History museum

Over 80,000 artifacts & objects tell a detailed story of the history of the city of Santa Barbara. People often mention Santa, Barbara, museum, Spanish, history, Museum, great, wedding, Historical, space,


Address

136 E De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, United States

Website

www.sbhistorical.org

Contact

+1 805-966-1601

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (228 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 12 to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 12 to 5 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 12 to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 12 to 7 pm
  • Friday: 12 to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Santa (19) Barbara (19) museum (14) Spanish (8) history (8) Museum (8) great (8) wedding (8) Historical (8) space (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 jon h. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice museum, informative exhibits and beautiful space, but my low rating is for one reason only, the nearly complete absence of information and exhibits of the original people of the Santa Barbara region, who would become known as the Chumash. On my visit there were only two small exhibits of the Chumash, showing a few baskets and stone tools. These were people who were here thousands of years before the Spanish arrived (8,000+ years ago, it’s estimated), developing one of the most populated regions of native people in what is now North America. They developed advanced societies, trade, commerce and governance. They were master boat-builders, inhabiting the Channel Islands, and had an understanding of the natural environment, plant and wildlife far advanced from the Spanish colonialists. Unfortunately, the Spanish Imperialists saw them as primitive savages, vilifying their customs, belief systems and culture. Many of the Spanish sincerely believed theirs was good intent, though many were outright opportunists. They enslaved many native people, justifying it in order to “save” them, and brought diseases that killed over 90% of the native people. None of this is conveyed in the museum that, based on it’s name, exists to tell the history of Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, just a few miles away, does a far better job of providing a truer depiction of the role the original people here played in Santa Barbara’s history. There are countless books they do so as well (Thrown Among Strangers by Doug Monroy is highly recommended). I understand that many in Santa Barbara have historically chosen to tell only the portion of its history from a Spanish perspective, but it’s time a truer history be told.
    18 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Hang N. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s a small museum with interesting Santa Barbara history. It’s worth trip if you are in the area. There’s no cost for admission but you can give a donation.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christine Jade E. 9 months ago on Google
    We had a great experience visiting this small museum. Well curated and had some cool narration for each section. Unfortunately, there was a wedding in the courtyard so, we were not able to explore the outdoor space...
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Team 2 years ago on Google
    One of our favorite wedding locations, SB Historical Museum has the Spanish architecture that Santa Barbara is known for with the planning of a great event space. The neutral canvas of the museum is versatile and can support a variety of design ideas!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Manuel G. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice museum about the Santa Barbara history. Also many beautiful paintings. Really worth a visit. Parkinglot availiable. And the best: it is free!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hey Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Great museum, interesting and lots if things to see
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lizeth Estrada R. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful and great museum, I like all the history that you can learn in such a small place, it also has a patio, a big one with a fountain that you can just sit and enjoy, I definitely recommend this place for a small visit!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jasmine J. 1 year ago on Google
    Spent a lovely afternoon at this private event for the Dream Foundation. They had it at the SB Historical Museum garden area. Raised funds for the Flower Empower program, with both a silent and live auction. Bouquet making stations, a delicious luncheon and visiting with good friends. Highly recommend having events at this location.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matt R. 4 years ago on Google
    I thought it might be helpful to future bride and grooms who may be considering getting married at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum to hear about this space from a different perspective than what you may typically read about in reviews. I would love to offer the light and lines perspective of how the Santa Barbara Historical Museum unfolds from a wedding day experience and how it presents in photography. As someone who sees spaces in terms of light and composition, the Santa Barbara Historical Museum captures the authentic rustic elegance that Santa Barbara is known for. The property first unfolds and presents itself first with the more intimate of the two courtyards. The pergola archway with green foliage crawling throughout the thick wooden beams is the focal point to the space and makes for a beautiful ceremony location. The layers of green photograph incredibly well under this archway in either direction. I’ve photographed weddings here where the guests face the pergola and also weddings in a rotated orientation where the guests line either side of the pergola with the couple at the far end. The sunlight at this location moves in the direction of the larger courtyard, so either ceremony orientation looks spectacular. There are so many fun layers of Spanish themes to layer in to my photographs; from the fountain in the entrance courtyard, to the Spanish overhangs and architecture, to the succulents and landscaping that runs throughout the property. One of my favorite spaces to photograph couples for golden hour is just around the corner to the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. You can see the wall textures and architectural layers in the photos I posted. Everything about this space photographs Santa Barbara’s rustic elegance. I absolutely LOVE photographing at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael M. 4 years ago on Google
    Great staff. They always have great exhibitions. We're lucky to have such a great Historical museum in Santa Barbara, California.

  • 5/5 Shannon H. 6 years ago on Google
    Attended wedding after hours on Monday prior to Thanksgiving. It was beautiful setting for it but rustic dirt floors. Never entered museum itself so can't speak to that. Catering was great.

  • 5/5 Marco G. 5 years ago on Google
    modern museum with historical pieces and dresses from the time of the new spain there will discover because the name of santa barbara. They have an area for social events

  • 5/5 Judy C. 1 year ago on Google
    Well appointed historical museum...we joined for the events that arr hosted there. The infamous hanging tree is by the parking lot.

  • 5/5 Rene A. 2 years ago on Google
    What a fabulous local treasure! Visiting from Florida and learned so much about the history of Santa Barbara, and in such a beautiful setting. The staff is wonderfully knowledgeable and accommodating. A must-see if you are visiting.

  • 5/5 Mallory R. 2 years ago on Google
    The space is so beautiful and versatile with the two different courtyards. The staff was easy to work with and responsive to our emails. It was the perfect fit for our wedding theme, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all of our guests!

  • 5/5 White Sage A. 2 years ago on Google
    We love the true American Riviera vibe of this venue. Not to mention the amazing flexibility of being able to host a full bar! Our clients love the guest experience of being in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara with the option to after party on State! With so many ways to use the spaces along with larger than average capacity, this is a go to venue for any couple looking in SB!

  • 5/5 Roger T. 9 months ago on Google
    4 great exhibitions on Santa Barbara story, the Mountain Drive 60s ish Bohemian Community, and 2 local artists. All really interesting, free, a short walk from State Street, friendly and informative welcome desk team. Highly recommend. We spent around 2 hours.

  • 5/5 Jose R. 6 months ago on Google
    This was a fantastic venue for an outdoor wedding. The location was great for my brother's wedding, and the parking at the museum is a bit hidden via an "alley way." Just be prepared to have an extra pair of shoes as you walk the grounds during the wedding. It was quite dusty as we danced all night in the center of the museum.

  • 4/5 Bree M. 5 months ago on Google
    Free admission. I liked the exhibit in the back left corner about the Chinese Meterologist, and the historic dresses. There is a model of the Dana Point Pilgrim ship/brig that burned a few years ago.


Call +1 805-966-1601 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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