Building Issue No. 2

Courtyard, Museum Headquarters.

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Building Issue No. 2

Vol. XI, No. 1

SUPPLEMENT, WINTER, 1965

HISTORIC^L-

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f SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FRONT ROW {left to right): W. Edwin Glodhill, Museum Director; Mrs. Henry J. Griffiths, Treasurer; Hugh J. Weldon, First Vice President; Dr. Hilmar 0. Koefod, President; Mrs. Wilson Forbes, Second Vice President; Paul G. Sweotser, Secretary; Mrs. W. Edwin Glcdhill, Curator.

TOP ROW: Elmer H. Whittaker, Father Virgil Cordano, John D. Gill, Mrs. Charles Cannon, Thomas J. McDermott, Dr. Irving Wills, Garrett Van Horne, R. Lockwood Tower, E. Seldcn Spaulding (Editor of Notieias), John Jordano, Jr. (Directors not shown: Yale B. Griffith, Mrs. Godwin Pelissero).

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OUR NEW HOME A Few Pages from the Construction Record For the past two years the southwest corner of De la Guerra and Santa Barbara Streets has presented a constantly changing scene of action—earthmoving, foundation laying, adobe brick manufacture, erection of structural elements, roofing—all pointing up to completion of the Society’s new home, now opening its distinguished doors to our members, friends and the general

public.

It is our purpose in this issue of Noticias to present by photograph and comment, some of the more interesting aspects of the building project. Sim plified floor plans indicate the functional aspects of the structure’s design, as well as parking and traffic pattern.

Readers who would like to review the steps which led to the Society’s cr 1962, decision to erect its own headquarters are referred to the Sprin O’ Building Issue” supplement of Noticias (Vol. VIII, No. 1)—in which the history of the Santa Barbara Historical Society and projections of its future are dealt with in some detail.

By way of brief summary, the Society’s development up to this point of time falls into three phases. The fi rst spanned the period from its organi zation as a volunteer association in October, 1932, to its incorporation in June, 1943 as a California non-profit corporation. The second phase ended in January 1954 when arrangements were concluded with the Franciscan au thorities for the Society to occupy the west wing of Old Mission Santa Bar bara. The third period now ends with expiration of the lease of the Old Mission premises.

The past 10 years have seen the Society’s program expand notably and achieve stature on the California historical scene. And so it enters its fourth 1

stage of growth—housed suitably, yes, even impressively, in its own head quarters—and acknowledging a lasting debt to the Franciscan Fathers—not only for use of the Old Mission premises, but for the cordial relations which have existed and the many tangible and intangible benefits which have ac crued to the Society from this 10-year close association.

First Steps All during the 32-year life of the Santa Barbara Historical Society its directors and community-minded friends have dreamed of the time when an adequate, permanent headquarters, owned by the Society, could be achieved.

As early as 1944 there was discussion of erecting a home adjoining the Trussell-Winchester Adobe at 412 West Montecito Street, a site later used for the Fernald House restoration. In 1948 the Board of Directors approved general plans for developing this property, but difliculty in financing prevent ed further action. In the fall of 1957 the Directors made the major decision to proceed on a building program, though no site had yet been acquired.

Meanwhile, years of growth for the Society had gone by, during which it led in the creation of El Pueblo Viejo. In the heart of this historic area was the site of our new home—preserved through the interest of Samuel J. Stanwood, long-time County Supervisor. “El Recinto Stanwood” borders the original Royal Presidio, founded by Spain in 1782. Obviously, it was ideal for a historic museum site.

As the lease at Old Mission neared expiration, negotiations were opened with the County of Santa Barbara. Through the interested cooperation of Chairman Joe J. Callahan and his fellow members of the Board of Super visors the Society was able to enter into a 99-year contract for use of the proposed site, opening the way for our permanent home.

With the site assured, plans could move forward. A community-wide campaign for capital funds was launched under the general chairmanship of director Don W. Woods and the leadership of Mrs. Wilson Forbes as chair man of the Fund Committee. Numerous individuals and organizations gave the capital fund a good start with generous gifts, as “Founder-Donors”. Many others became “Adobe-Donors”—underwriting the campaign by “buying adobe bricks” for the new home.

Robert Ingle Hoyt, A. I. A., was engaged to develop initial building plans. His sketches of the building exterior (Pages 1 and inside back cover) indicate the spirit underlying the design, which merges the Society’s head quarters harmoniously into the setting created by adjoining historic struc tures. A happy later development was the decision of the Society to acquire ownership of the two adobes (Historic and Covarrubias) immediately to the south. This made it possible to integrate landscaping, parking and traffic handling, and added an element of spaciousness to the whole complex. These were purchased from Los Adobes de Los Rancheros in May, 1964. Central offices of Los Rancheros Visitadores are located in the Historic Adobe which was built in 1836, and moved to its present location in 1924. The Covarrubias Adobe dates from 1817, and in 1959 it was designated State Historic Land mark No. 308. Offices of Old Spanish Days, Inc. presently are housed in the front rooms of this adobe.

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Excavation proceeds on site of old gas works. Earth for the adobe bricks came from this area. Workmen are laying first sections of the foundation.

Construction Begins

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President Hilmar 0. Koefod and the Board persuaded Elmer H. Whit taker, for many years a director of the Society, to supervise the actual con struction, taking advantage of his long-time background as a building con tractor in the area. Mr. Whittaker had helped the Society on numerous oc casions, in fitting out the Old Mission premises as headquarters, in moving and restoring the Fernald House, and in restoration work on the TrussellWinchester Adobe. Dedication ceremonies were held on the new building site, August 28, 1962; and on April 7, 1963, because of rain, a symbolic ground-breaking program took place at the Lobero Theatre. Mr. Whittaker called from retirement his former foreman, Albert Ames, and actual con struction got under way.

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The Society’s headquarters was a project of some dimension—25,000 feet of area on three floors, all to be translated into functional space for museum purposes, and interpreted harmoniously into a setting rich in historic tradition. Multifold problems of design, materials, site adaptability, traflic flow, parking, and landscaping could be expected to arise—and did.

Excavation: One of the first steps was excavation for the basement floor, and here arose some unexpected dilflculties. In early-day Santa Barbara our new site housed the local gas works. As the bulldozers moved in they quickly turned up some surprising reminders of this operation—-a brickwalled water well which had to be filled; a well area formerly occupied by the gas holder, which called for sinking four pilings to 20-foot depth, earth filling and compacting; two redwood cisterns (one, 20-feet by 40-feet, the other 30-feet by 40-feet)—and the sludge-filled remains of a reservoir for storage of fuel oil used in oil-gas manufacture. All of the problems were surmounted, but obviously involved some delays and unanticipated costs.

Adobe Brick: Use of adobe brick for exteriors and walls throughout the building seemed essential, both from the view of aesthetics, and as an ex-

Filling forms with "adobe mix," preparatory to sun-drying.

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Laying t-hc adobe brick veneer to t-he reinforced concrete walls.

pression of its ties with the past. Fortunately, the adobe soil on site proved suitable for brick-making, so the bricks were moulded on the spot. For addi tional strength, 10 percent concrete was mixed with the native earth. The wall cores and bond beams are of concrete and steel. Walls are sheathed on both sides with the adobe brick veneer to a total average thickness of 24inches. The bricks are 16-inches long, 8-inches wide, and 4-inches thick. Al together, some 70,000 bricks are used in the structure.

Tile: Roof-tile and tile used for floors and walkways at various points provide another authentic early-California note in carrying out the over-all design theme. Tile-making is still a handcraft industry in Mexico, and the 5

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portion of first floor and basement. Stacked bricks (foreground) await onto walls by special hoist at right.

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tile used in our new headquarters are made in several small villages in Baja California, in the Tecate Mountains area. (An old roof tile was sent to Mexico as a pattern). These tiles supply a rich ornamental element; being hand-shaped and fired, they vary in size and shape—some of the floor tile carry casual handprints of children or workmen, or the foot-tracks of dogs and birds. Roof tile are of the typical Mission tones in color, while the floor tile are of somewhat deeper reddish-brown earthen tint. Floor tile are used in corridor areas, exhibition rooms and the entrance hall. Some 16,000 roof tile and 12,000 floor tile were called for in the construction.

Mr. Whittaker relates one interesting anecdote on his dealings with the tile-makers. It seems that an original order of 15,000 tile was placed with the Mexican craftsmen. Then ensued a three month delay—no acknowledge ment of the order, and no tile. Investigation revealed that the rather sizable order had so delighted the villagers that it had called for an impromptu fiesta, which went on and on. To remedy the situation the contract was can celled—and let again, 1,000 tile at a time. Very soon thereafter, tile ship ments were forthcoming.

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Beams: Heavy beams of Douglas fir (known in the trade as Oregon Pine) add another distinctive note to the design. These carry the load of the tile roofs with ample tolerance. The beams measure 12-inches by 18-inches, running from 28 to 30-feet in length—and each weighed just under a ton.

Each came from the heart of a Douglas fir, and the cross section shows the rings of annual growth proceeding outward from ring No. 1—a dot at the center. The trees from which the beams came ranged in age from 150 to 250 years. Thirty-two of these heavy timbers are used in the structure as bottom cores of the trusses which support the roof.

Doors: The many substantial doors in the museum were made on the premises, including laminating of panels to the basic frames. For some of the principle doors in entrance ways, special veneer panelling was milled to order and laminated on the job. These veneers carry the “river of life” de sign which traces back to a motif used by the Mission fathers, and was often found on Spanish doors in the old pueblo.

Vault: There is a story behind the massive steel doors to the vault in the west wing of the basement. These originally served the Loan and Build ing Association (predecessor to Citizens Savings & Loan Association). They were salvaged by former president of the Society, Francis Price, Sr., when

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Director W. Edwin Gledhrll holds a hand-imprinted floor tile. Others in photo, left to right: President HHmar O. Koefod; Horace M. Albright, conservationist and former director of National Park Service; Mrs. Wilson Forbes, director and Fund Committee chairman; Elmer H. Whittaker, director and volunteer building contractor.

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FIRST

1—Entrance and Lobby 2—Spanish Room 3—Carrillo Room 4—American Room 5—Western Room 6- :hincsc Room 7—Elevator

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8—Receiving Room 9—Library Stack Room tO—Library 11—Restroom

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BASEMENT 1—Storage 2—Vault 3—Storage (Film) -Dark Room 5—Heater 6—Storage (Paintings)

7—Storage (Library) 8—Workroom 9—Restroom 10—Storage 11—Elevator

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FLOOR

1—Study 2—Kitchen 3—Living Room 4—Bath 5—Bedroom 6—Utilities

FLOOR

12—Restroom 13—Restroom 14- 'Restroom 1 ●Kitchen 16—Microfilm Room 17—Supply Room 18—Director's Office 19—Board Room 20—General Office 21 ●Portico

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Workmen cut one of the massive Douglas fir beams to length. Note growth rings showing at center of the upper beams.

the loan association modernized its premises in the 800 block of State Street.

Mr. Whittaker stored the doors for a number of years, and has now built a vault around them in the Society’s new home. The vault is ventilated through the central air circulating plant, is equipped with intercommunica tion to the general offices, and has modem fire and burglar alarm systems.

Heating and Air Circulation: To supply heat for the building, hot water from a central boiler flows through a grid of ^/^-inch copper pipe built into 10

the flooring. The piping was laid into the concrete flooring in basement and corridor areas. Where wooden flooring is used the copper pipe lies between the concrete and wood. This radiant floor heating system is controlled ther mostatically. Independent of the floor heatin C5’ ventilating system supplies a constant change of tempered air throughout the building.

Fire-Proof Features: Not only is the museum built ruggedly to stand the test of time, but its design makes it highly fire-proof. This is achieved through the use of concrete for basement floorings, reinforced concrete-adobe walls, concrete stairways into basement and second floors, partitions faced with plaster on metal lath.- And to guard against the hazard of fire in the room contents, an overhead sprinkling system is provided.

Concrete pouring of center core in wall areas.

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Walls rise from basement on Santa Barbara Street side of structure.

Landscaping: Even at this early stage, when many touches are still to be added, it is easy to visualize the museum in its finished form. The mas sive adobe facade, vistas of lawn, and appropriate tree planting, will give the visitor a delightful first impression. The courtyard, enclosed on three sides with adobe walls and arcaded walkways, with fountain and iron-grilled windows supplying gracious touches, will make a picture reminiscent of Old California at its best. Landscape planning has been generously volunteered by the Santa Barbara Garden Club.

In this short account it has been possible to cover only a few of the structural and design elements which make our new home a place of beauty as well as a functional headquarters. Many minor elements are equally 12

Wall erection on De la Guerra Street face of museum.

worthy of mention—for example the use of rubber pads fixed to the under side of the floor joists to give resiliency to the wooden flooring. Perhaps it is enough to say by way of summary that present and future generations of visi tors to the museum and staff members who work within its adobe walls, may feel heavily indebted to the many whose thoughts and efforts have combined to produce our new home.

A Few Acknowledgements Mention has been made already of several who carried heavy respon sibilities in the financing, design, and construction phases of the building project. Many others have shared the load. Early stages of the planning took 13

A section of courtyard. Wooden posts and heavy beams support roof of portico.

place under the presidency of Thomas J. McDermott, who also served as chairman of the building committee. Others on the building committee were Edwin Gledhill, John Jordano, Jr., Elmer Whittaker and Dr. Irwing Wills.

The building program has been a continuing concern of President Hilmar O. Koefod and of every board member these past two years. Because of the experience of the staff of the Society during occupancy of rooms in the Old Mission and their survey of important museums and historical societies in California, Museum Director W. Edwin Gledhill, a member of the building committee, was designated to plan the unique, functional interior for the new home. The size and arrangement of each room were carefully thought out for historical society use in consultation with Mrs. Gledhill, Curator and Mrs. Henry Griffiths, Treasurer. Incidentally, numerous of the fine photo graphs in this issue came from Director Gledhill’s camera.

Getting the new premises ready for the official opening has been a strenuous period. The entire contents of our Old Mission headquarters had 14

Tile spotted on roof preparatory to laying.

Door detail at courtyard entrance illustrates "river of life" motif.

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to be removed and placed in the new museum. And great quantities of museum material, stored at the Glendessary home of the Gledhills, had to be hurriedly moved—even though the new museum was not ready for them —an emergency created by the September fire in the mountains behind the city, which threatened Mission Canyon.

In the near future a formal dedication will be held, with Paul G. Sweetser, a former president of the Society, as chairman of The Committee in charge. The event will be under the auspices of the Native Sons (Santa Barbara Parlor, No. 116). Reina del Mar Parlor, No. 126, and Tierra de Oro Parlor, No. 304, of the Native Daughters will assist in the arrangements.

Our permanent museum headquarters, long dreamed of, now stands ready to serve. An expanded program lies before the Society, and the in terest of its members and friends is called for, more than ever, at this period when special needs are evident. Stalling must be increased, the new facilities permit a more active exhibit program, operating and maintenance costs of our enlarged quarters must be provided for—and the capital fund campaign to meet our commitments on construction costs must carry on to completion, Our membership is growing, and our members can help speed this process by interesting their friends in the Society’s program.

Our new headquarters give visible evidence that the Santa Barbara His torical Society has come of age, and that its supporters have faith in the future as they enlarge the organization’s area of service to the community.

Ed i t o r's

Note

New Cover Design: Our readers will see a change in the front cover of this issue of Noticias. Hitherto, in recognition of our former location, a sketch of Old Mission, Santa Barbara, has been prominent in our cover design. With removal to our own quarters, a seal now appears in place of the Old Mission, and graphically represents the three major historical periods of the Channel area. The bell represents the Mission era (from approximately 1769 to 1820). The anchor denotes the period when Santa Barbara’s only connection with the outside world was by ship (approximately 1800 to 1870). And the bear symbolizes the American Period from 1846 to about 1900. Design of the crest was by John Gorham.

About This Issue: To develop this number of Noticias, I have enlisted the services of two members of the original committee that was charged with the responsibility of carrying on the quarterly magazine in the format in which it now appears—Wilberta M. Finley, who served as Editor during those years when Noticias appeared first as a single, large sheet and then as a double one of the same size, and who, for the past seven years, has been Assistant Editor; and George Finley, who has been so largely re sponsible through the decade now closing for the arrangement of the articles and for the clean, attractive appearance of each, separate number. Because of their long associa tion with the publication and because of their great editorial skill, I have asked the Finleys to survey the records of our Society’s now largely completed building project, to set down the most colorful and unusual aspects of this operation, and having done these things, to bring to the members of our Society this “Second Building Issue” of our quarterly magazine.

Edward Selden Spaulding 16

Architect's preliminary rendering of Historical Museum exterior.

QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 136 EAST DE

LA GUERRA STREET

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Santa Barbara, Calif.

Permit No. 534