JULY, 1955
SANTA BARBARA
On the Exhibition Calendar July 5 closed our current exhibit, which has featured the 1890-1925 period. This was the last of the three period exhibits to be sliown each year. The next will cover the earliest Spanish Colonial years to 1850, and will be up for three months. It will be followed by the intermediate period, that of Pioneer America, from ca. 1850 to 1885. The Spanish Colonial exhibit will present manuscripts, Spanish shawls and fans, paintings (includ ing a historic portrait of the De la Guerra family, and the romantic paintings of the pastoral California life by Alexander Harmer); also artifacts and other historical material of a period that begins with the Spanish occupa tion of California, to 1850. Space limitations prevent full coverage of our wellreceived exhibit, just closed, which ran the gamut from early-day photographs, and paintings by local artists, to heirloom silver, costumes, and old saddles. Particularly enjoyed was the pre-exhibit tea for mem bers, from 2:00 to 5:00 on Friday afternoon, April 22. At this time several hundred visitors were received at the Old Mission headquarters. Acting as hostesses were Mrs. Robert Ingle Hoyt, Mrs. James W. Colt, Mrs. Edwin S. Potter, Miss Anna Lincoln, Miss Margaret Conklin, Miss Catherine Lataillade. Tlie hostesses, as well as Mrs. Gledhill, were dressed authentically for the period, select ing costumes from a collection of 30 given the Society by Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Lewis, from the estate of Mrs. John Aniory Jeffers, long-time Santa Barbara resident. On loan for the current exhibit were paintings, photo graphs, drawings, sculpture, etchings and etching plates from the following donors: Mrs. Godwin Pelissero, Mrs. Clarence Mattel, Mrs. Edgar Stowe, The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Santa Barbara Public Library, Miss Dorothy Cotton, Mr. and Mrs. William Louis Otte, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald W. Vaughn, Alexander House, Mrs. Allen G. Cram, Miss Pearl Chase, the University of California, Mrs. Charles L. Jacobs, Mrs. Edward Borein, Mrs. Fran cis T. Underhill, Miss Helen Low, The Music Academy of the West, Mrs. Lockwood de Forrest, Mrs. James Colt, Jr., Mr. R. F. Overbaugh, Mr. and Mrs. W. Edwin GledhilL Mrs. Harwood White, Mrs. T. Wilson Dibblee, Mrs. Dwight Murphy, Mr. Cameron Rogers, Los Rancheros Visitadores. Loans of silver, glassware, saddles and leather work, costumes, books and other historic memorabilia came from Mrs. Samuel J. Slanwood, Mrs. Agnes Field, Mayor John Rickard, Mr. David Hopkins Parma, Mrs. Hugh Weldon, Mrs. Henry Lincoln, Mrs. Caniillo Fenzi, Mrs.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FALL LUNCHEON MEETING Speaker: Dr. Philip W. Powell Topic: “Santa Barbara’s Spanish Heritage” Members will be advised of time and place.
Henrietta Von Blon, Mrs. Charles T. Pierce, Mrs. John S. Lincoln, Mrs. Melville Sahyun, Mrs. Joseph Knowles, Mrs. Luiza Peck, Mr. Herman Eddy, and others. Gifts on exhibit during current period were from: Mrs. Gertrude Wright Knox Feeley (two portraits by Alexander Harmer); Mrs. Lockwood de Forrest (land scape by Lockwood de Forrest, Sr.).
Foundation Grant Adds to Staff As a result of a grant received in June from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Society is now able to open its headquarters on a six-day-a-week basis every day except Mondays, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Foundation generously set up a grant of $3,500 to be used for salaries of college student assistants to staff. They will act as hostesses and assist in cataloguing and research, under the training and direction of Mr. and Mrs. Gledhill, curators. Newly employed are the following students: Lila Linkey, of (^arpinteria (Westmont College); Barbara Howard (Westmont College); and Jacqueline Hopper (University of California, Santa Barbara College). Addition of these student assistants will relieve some of the pressure on our volunteers. On Sundays, vol unteers from Tierra de Oro Parlor No. 304, Native Daughters of the Golden West (Mrs. W. F. McKinney, President), and Reina del Mar Parlor No. 126 (Ellen Hayward, President), will act as hostesses. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution also assist as hostesses on Sundays. Others giving of their time (not listed elsewhere) are: Mrs. Katherine Burke, flowers; Mrs. Guy Stockton, library; Mrs. Henrietta Von Blon, hostess. Mission Restoration . . . From the Fleischmann Foundation comes word of its $250,000 gift to the Santa Barbara Mission, for purposes of further restoration. A second quadrangle will be added, including a chapel on the grounds of the Mission’s first church, classroom, lecture and assembly halls, and residential facilities for student clerics. The new construction will restore to the Mission a quadrangle originally built in 1797.
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NOTICIAS
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NOTICIAS QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Officers and Directors — 1955 President . . . . . . . . Francis Price First Vice President . . . Hugh J. Weldon . . Charles A. Storke Second Vice President . . . Paul G. Swceiser Secretary Mrs. Elmer H. Whittaker Treasurer . . . . . Directors: Elbert S. Conner, Dr. Donald C. Davidson, W. Edwin Gledhill, Mrs. Henry Griffillis, Percy C. Heckendorf, Rev. Basil Kelly, O.F.M., Duncan McDougall, Dr. Philip W. Powell, John T. Rickard, Miss Edna Sharpe. W. Edwin Gledhill Curator Mrs. W. Edwin Gledhill . . . . Associate Curator Elbert S. Conner . Chairman Publication Committee Editor Wilberta M. Finley MAILING address: OLD MISSION, SANTA BAIUIARA, CALIF.
May We Acknowledge . . Numerous friendly (and we will say, complimentary) messages have been coming in from the friends of the Society on Vol. 1—No. 1 “Noticias,” since our first Quarterly Bulletin appeared last April. Space forbids comment on the many personal expressions of good will received, but we mention with particular thanks the com munications from the Bancroft Library, University of California; the San Diego Historical Society, Junipero Serra Museum; and from the California State Library in Sacramento.
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A Tribute to "'Noticias
By Rev. Maynard Geiger, O.F.M., Ph.D. “What’s in a name?” queried the Bard of Avon, and his question has been repeated in every century. When I saw the name, “Noticias,” late on Monday afternoon, April 11, emblazoned across the front page of the first number and volume of the Quarterly Bulletin of the Santa Barbara Historical Society, I said to myself: “There’s a lot in that name. For history has the sense of continuity. In a region like California, a name once felicitously chosen, has a tendency to live on. Before I come to ra y salient point, let me say that Santa Barbara’s “Noticias” proved the genuineness of its name, for in my case I discovered a news item that really was news to me, and so the bulletin served its purpose very well. I happen to be a person whose professional historical work forces me to travel a great deal around the world. In such a role, I could become the target of a cruel joke, for I might miss what lies before my very doorstep while looking for things in fields afar. The “news” in “Noticias” saved me from such a fate. I had just returned from Mexico where every after noon as I left the archives, pondering over the “old,” I heard newsboys shout “Ultimas Noticias” concerning what was very “new.” “Read the latest news,” they cried at every street corner. That of course is a newspaper’s business and function. History’s office is to rehearse the old, even if in new form and with added insight.
California has and is a slory thal will never grow old. Father,” a New Hence it is always Noticios, “News. York editor of a publishing house told me, “there are three things you never have to sell us who know the field, and they are in this order: California, the Mis sions, and Padre Serra. They are perennials.” And to them might be added the now enshrined word Noticias. When our California was young, one of its admirable missionaries, whom you’d think had enough to do learning Indian languages, feeding and clothing his neophytes, planting and harvesting wheat and corn, bap tizing and marrying the aborigines, in his leisure time sat down and wrote a book of several volumes. He did not live to see it printed, but it has been published in Spanish and translated into English. Can you guess its name? Nothing else than Noticias de la Nueva Cali fornia, or as it might be translated: “A Newstory of the California just brought into being.” There you have it. Palou called his history the “latest news,” about a new land and such it was. Its value has never grown old. Thus the launching of a new historical society in a formal manner, in a new physical setting, at that, in an old mission—a unique and inspiring thing—and pub lishing its new quarterly under the masthead of “No ticias” shows the force of continuity in historical nomen clature, particularly in Santa Barbara, where history and its relation to jjresent living are so vitally appreciated. The present writer was graciously asked by the Presi dent of the Santa Barbara Historical Society, Francis Price, to contribute this article associating the Noticias of Palou with the “Noticias” of Santa Barbara. I gladly accede to that request. From Palou to Price tliere is a span of history so rich and pulsating, that hundreds of scholars cannot adequately interpret it. The “good news” of the “Noticias” of 1955 consists in this, that as far as Santa Barbara is concerned, she will conserve and enrich her priceless historic treasures for the present and future in the traditions of Palou, the fountainhead of the Noticias de la Nueva California. And may what the Santa Barbara Historical Society does, always be “News”!
Recent Gifts to the Society Gifts to the S. B. Historical Society since April 1. 1955 (in addition to those reported in connection with the 1890-1925 exhibit), were made by the following donors: Paintings: Mr. and Mrs. William L. Olte and Mr. Reginald Oakley. Costumes, silver, leather work and Indian basketry: Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Lewis, Mrs. Charles Ealand, Mr. Louis Dreyfus, Mrs. William H. Lazear, Mr. Harry W. Ross, Mr. Owen O’Neal. Books, historic photographs, programs, pamphlets, souvenirs, sketches: Mrs. Alice Day McLaren, Mr. Charles T. Pierce, Rev. Perry Austin, Mrs. David Banks Rogers, Mrs. Luiza Peck, Santa Barbara Public Library, Mr. M. C. Richter, Mr. Hugh J. Weldon, Mr. Harold Chase, Mrs. Mattye Rogers McAttee, Mrs. Martin Elmberg, Mrs. H. 0. Koefod, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Vaughn, Miss Margaret Conklin, Mr. .lolin Adams Comstock, Mr. Howard .1. Steib, Mr. Francis Price, Sr., Mr. Kirk Johnson, La Vista Club, Mr. Russell Ruiz, Mr. Cameron Rogers, Mrs. John Blair Oliver, Mrs. George H. Finley, Mrs. Elmer Whittaker, Mrs. Edward Borein, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Jacobs.
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JULY, 1955
Mrs. John Russell Hastings Mrs. John Russell Hastings, native Santa Barbaran, and long-time friend of the Society, passed away on June 2. Mrs. Hastings was a member of the pioneer Win chester family, and her home was the Trussell-Winchester adobe at 412 West Montecito Street. Her will bequeaths this adobe to the Society with the stipulation that it be maintained as an historic landmark. Born on Rancho Las Armitas, in Winchester Canyon, on October 30, 1877, Mrs. Hastings was educated in Cali fornia schools, living for many years in New York. The last 13 years of her life she spent in Santa Barbara. During this period her activities contributed greatly to sustaining interest in the Historical Society, particularly in maintaining and preserving its acquisitions. “Noticias” is happy to present the following tribute to Mrs. Hastings from W. Edwin Gledhill, Curator: “Katharin Bagg Hastings, fresh from the East, with its well organized historical societies, brought an enthusiasm that vitally helped to hold our Society together. “As a writer for Antiques Magazine on silver and paintings, she was one of a group of writers that used Geneology extensively in these research articles. While her interest was centered primarily in the American Pioneer Period and its culture, she was not blind to the rich history of the Spanish California period. “1 personally would like to pay a tribute to Mrs. Hastings for her encouragement of Mrs. Gledhill and myself in our study of Early American silver and furni ture. She also instilled in both of us a great deal of her consuming interest in Historical Society affairs, account ing in large part for our present association with the
Society. In bequeathing her home to the Society, Mrs. Hastings has made possible the preservation of an excellent archi tectural example of the transitional period in early Santa Barbara. Partly early-American, partly Spanish in style, the home was built in the 1850’s by Captain Horatio Gates Trussell, of Maine. He was one of the builders of the old Santa Barbara wharf. In 1881, the Winchester family purchased the adobe. Mrs. Hastings restored it to its original style in 1938, during an extended visit to Santa Barbara, and lived in it upon her permanent return to the city in 1942. On the corner of the original Trussell property imme diately adjoining the Trussell-Winchester adobe, now
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sits the old Dr. Stambach residence, preserved through the interest of the Society, and the cooperation of the Assistance League, as reported in the April issue of “Noticias.” Remodelling is well under way, and the 80-year-old Victorian structure will soon be serving as Assistance League headquarters.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING Here and there on the Santo Barbora County historical scene Report from Spain . . . The Society made history on April 15 with its first luncheon program for mem bers, when Dr. John Walton Caughey brought “Memories of Steamer Days” to a large group at El Paseo Restau rant. The fine support accorded this opening venture is leading to other luncheon programs, the first of which is dated for the fall. Speaker for the occasion will be Dr. Philip W. Powell, one of our directors, who this month is returning from Spain, after sabatical leave from the University of California, Santa Barbara College. Dr. Powell already has shipped from Spain numerous books on Spanish art and history, purchased with funds from a grant to the Society by the Santa Barbara Foundation. He will cover his trip to Spain, with particular reference to his research in Santa Barbara background material. Rancheros Record . . . A pictorial history of “Los Rancheros Visitadores”—largest riding organization of its kind—comes from the press to commemorate the group’s 25th anniversary. Limited to 1,000 copies, the edition sells for S15, contains many camp and trail scenes, photographs and drawings. “Los Adobes de los Rancheros,” which is RV’s land-owning organization, devoted among its activities to preserving old adobes and other historic items, also is dealt with in the new souvenir edition. Past and Present . . . First speaker on the “Know Your Santa Barbara” Annual Forum, conducted by the Volunteer Bureau, April 18-29, was Frances Price, Pres ident of the Santa Barbara County Historical Society. Mr. Price’s topic was “Santa Barbara’s Past and Present.” Monterey Conference ... The Society was represented at the conference of the California State Historical So ciety, held in Monterey on June 25-26, by Mr. and Mrs. W. Edwin Gledhill, and by Miss Verne Linderman. The irogram included a tour of the well-preserved historic andmarks of Monterey and vicinity. n
La Perla Espanola
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“Santa Barbara, la Perla Espanola de California” was the title of a three-page article appearing in the May 9 issue of “Noticias de Actualidad,” published in Madrid, Spain. Photographs of our Court House, Old Spanish Days scenes and the Street in Spain accompanied the feature.
Trussell-Winchester adobe, home of Mrs. John Russell Host ings, with corner of Stomboch residence appearing at right.
“Santa Barbara is more Spanish than Spain,” the article suggested, and went on to describe the many ways our Spanish heritage is reflected in architecture, art, festivals and daily living pattern. Credit was given to Dr. Philip W. Powell, director of Hispanic studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara College, who was at the time in Spain, and provided some of the information for the article on Santa Barbara.
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NOTICIAS
Borein Memorabilia
Old Spanish Days Invitation June 18th, 19J6 Dear Amigo— The Fiesta is about to go on again—bigger than any before. Bring your best horse and j-our best saddle and come prepared (or a big time. If you have any friends who have good horse*, invite them to come, too. The dates are August 6lh, 7th, and 8th and we are figuring on having a belter lime than ever. The Fiesta will start at the Old Mission on the evening of August 5th. We've got lots of saddles, bits, spurs, reins and rcatas to give away as prizes—so come and get yours. Esperandolcs, Sam Stanwood El Presidentc
p.s. If you ha%*en't 2 horse, come any way.
One of the traditional letters of invitation to Th« Fiosto" (1936), illustroted with a Borein sketch. The same sketch heads this year's invitation to "Desfile Historico," issued by Otd Sponish Doys El Presidente, Norris Montgomery, who Is renewing the tradition after a lapse of several years. Old Spanish Doys dates this year ore August 10-14, inclusive.
Membership The Board of Directors have asked “Noticias” to make clear that membership in the Santa Barbara Historical Society is open to anyone interested in the work of the organization. There is no limit, geographical or other wise, and any class of membership from the “$5.00 Active” to the “$100 Benefactor” is welcome. The Society’s headquarters services are expanding every month, with more exhibit materials and a growing permanent collection. Anyone interested in affiliating in the membership should contact Mrs. Elmer Whittaker, 123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, or any member of the staff or Board of Directors. Mrs. Whittaker, Treasurer of the Santa Barbara His torical Society, calls attention to the fact that the fiscal year began July 1, at which time dues became payable. Dues-notices have already been mailed.
NCTICIA5 QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE SANTA
BARBARA
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OLD MISSION SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
May 19, 1955, marked the tenth anniversary of the death of Edward Borein, beloved Santa Barbaran and western artist of international fame, whose sketches and etchings have been a note of high interest at the Society’s Old Mission headquarters ever since the May 19 opening last year. Through the generous cooperation of Mrs. Lucile Borein, widow of the artist, twenty etchings, numerous books and memorabilia are in the Society’s permanent collection, on exhibit in the Borein Room. A recent gift from Mrs. Borein includes four books by Charles E. Lummis: The Land of Poco Tiempo, U )) a Flowers of Our Lost Romance, Mesa Canyon and » ((The Gold Fish of Gran Chimu.” Three of Pueblo, these contain affectionate letters to “Ed and Lucile. Other gifts from Mrs. Borein which were on view in the Society’s Borein Gallery during the current show, were etchings and etching plates made by Mr. Borein. Los Rancheros Visitadores, commemorating the tenth anniversary of Mr. Borein’s death, presented the Society with four photographs of early treks and two small his tories of the treks, issued in 1935 and 1939. Mr. Borein inspired the original organization of Los Rancheros Visitadores some 26 years ago.
Pharmacy Centennial . . . Reina del Mar Parlor, N.D.G.W., on July 10 will dedicate a plaque on the walls of the Gutierrez Drug Store, commemorating the cen tennial of the pharmacy’s founding. The firm’s first advertisement appeared in Spanish in the Santa Barbara Gazette on May 31, 1855. President Francis Price will represent the Society, and will sketch the history of the pharmacy over the past century.
Headquarters Anniversary ... On May 19 the Santa Barbara Historical Society completed its first year at the Old Mission. The new headquarters represents a major step forward in service to history-lovers of Santa Barbara
County.