Jarrell Jackman: Santa Barbara Presidio Hosts More ‘Mudslinging’ and a World-Class Exhibition
Restoration project builds to groundbreaking display of early ceramics and their homemade importance to Spanish California
Then-Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum, center, celebrates progress on the Presidio Northwest Corner Project with Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation board, staff, supporters and other guests in 2008. (Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation photo)
The reconstructed adobe defense wall of the Presidio northwest corner. This 165-foot section represents about 10 percent of the original defense wall the Spanish built in the 1780s. (Jarrell Jackman photo)
Presidio northwest corner foundation work, circa 2008. The foundation was being completely rebuilt with no concrete used except in the mortar and the standing pylon that provides the building with seismic protection. In the presidio’s early years, boulders were carted in wagons to the site from the bea
We moved beyond the political tensions to building a state historic park in its many dimensions in the heart of downtown.
Plus, we expanded our commitments to a full restoration of Casa de la Guerra and to creating a new park at Santa Inés Mission Mills.
The 1990s were for me the halcyon years. Adobe reconstruction and restorations were central to the work of SBTHP, but key presidio area properties were also acquired during this time; many publications in the form of books, historical pamphlets and brochures were published; our Soldados del Presidio de Santa Bárbara, officially the city’s colonial militia, were formed; and with them and other volunteer programs our living history activities thrived.