News

Santa Barbara Courthouse
Great Arch Analysis Report (2017)

One of our most important projects to date is our work on the Great Arch. The beautiful arch needs our attention and we are actively working on an Analysis Report that will inform us about the condition of the arch and what's needed to preserve it

Courthouse Legacy Foundation Holds Miniature Golf Tournament

On Friday, October 14, the Courthouse lawn along Anacapa Street was transformed into a colorful miniature golf play area and party venue by the Courthouse Legacy Foundation and the Rotaract Club of Santa Barbara. Corporate teams competed on the professionally-constructed nine-hole course and then enjoyed a casual outdoor cocktail reception, tacos, and awards ceremony. On Saturday...

2nd Annual Legacy Society Luncheon, November 5th and November 15th

Tango & Strings in the Mural Room co-partnered with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra.

Santa Barbara Courthouse Mural Room
Santa Barbara SEASONS Magazine's article on the Mural Room Fall 2016

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse to admire the elaborate Spanish/Moorish Colonial Revival architecture and enjoy the expansive city views from the tower of this historic building. Not only is the Santa Barbara Courthouse considered one of the most beautiful courthouses in the country, but it's also listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Along with the draw of lush gardens and interesting architecture, the interior of the building houses one of its most fascinating attractions, what is known as the "Mural Room". Here, enormous paintings depicting Santa Barbara's early history adorn the walls, painted by California artist Dan Sayre Groesbeck (1878-1950) in 1929, the same year the courthouse was completed.

Montecito Journal Seen Around Town: Fiesta with a Flair

The La Fiesta Pequeña or Little Fiesta is actually a Big Fiesta when it comes to Santa Barbara’s celebrations of its Spanish and Mexican heritage. It’s the official kick-off party attended by hundreds filling the lawn in front of the Santa Barbara Mission with blankets and chairs and coolers. When the clock strikes 8 pm, the Mission bells ring out, and it’s time to turn the Mission steps into a stage and the dancing begins.

Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation Celebrates Fiesta in Style
Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation Celebrates Fiesta in Style

The Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation welcomed more than 200 guests and celebrated Fiesta in style at a fundraiser held at the charming Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

Mural Room, 2016 Central Coast Wine Classic Dinner
2016 Central Coast Wine Classic

For the first time in the history of the Central Coast Wine Classic Archie McLaren, founder and chairman, decided to tie-in Santa Barbara for the last three days of events during his annual wine classic, now its 31st year. It was three days of amazing wine, cuisine, music, art and lifestyle that was thoroughly enjoyed by devotees of the event as well as local Santa Barbara residents attending for the first time.

Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation golf hole and ducky
3rd Annual Courthouse Miniature Golf Tournament (2016)

Thank you for joining us on October 14 and 15, 2016, when organized foursomes, along with community members, participated in the 3rd Annual Courthouse Legacy Foundation's Miniature Golf Tournament. At this year's event participants and friends gathered on the front lawn VIP area, along Anacapa for appetizers, cocktails, music, and prizes.

Saturday, October 15, 2016 all children played FREE of charge.

2nd Annual Miniature Golf Tournament 'hole in one' winners, MaryJoyce and Chris Hannah

During our 2nd Annual Miniature Golf Community Day, all children played free of charge. The Hannah family round proved quite eventful when parents MaryJoyce and Chris both hit a ‘hole in one’ on the fifty-foot putt, sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust. They were the lucky winners of a gift certificate to the Biltmore Four Seasons for Sunday Brunch, TESLA Motors cap and t-shirt as well as a Courthouse Legacy Foundation Family Membership. We know where the Hannah family will be spending one of their Sundays!

mural room ribbon cutting photo by edhat
Mural Room Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place today showcasing the restoration of the mural room in the Santa Barbara Court House.
(Photos by Patti Gutshall)

Read about it in the Montecito Journal, Volume 21, Issue 24 on page 35.

Courthouse Legacy Society

Learn how the Courthouse Legacy Society plans to support general and future operations related to the preservation, restoration, documentaion and educational legacy of the Courthouse. On June 24, 2015, we officially celebrate our newly formed endowment fund, with a luncheon in the magnificently restored Mural Room. For additional details and information, please contact Jan Campbell, Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Services, Santa Barbara Foundation at 805-963-1873 or Linda Rosso, Executive Director, Courthouse Legacy Foundation at 805-770-7222.

We hope you will consider becoming part of Santa Barbara's future.

Read more about our Legacy Society in the Montecito Journal, Volume 21, Issue 29 on page 14.

Courthouse Legacy Foundation Gets in the Spirit with Fiesta Party

Our 2014 Beinvenidos a la Fiesta party, over looking the breathtaking Spirit of Fiesta performance in the Sunken Garden, was another magical

evening......

Courthouse Mural Room Makes Santa Barbara County's History a Work of Art

Loretta Redd, a board member of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Legacy Foundation, never tires of talking about the Mural Room, which is a popular place for tourists and locals alike.....

Spirits Roam the Hallowed Halls of Santa Barbara’s Iconic Courthouse

[from Noozhawk.com]
Whether they're ghosts or simply 'energies,' a psychic's tour of the historic building reveals another dimension...

Courthouse Legacy Foundation Celebrates Fiesta in Style with ‘Castanets and Caballeros’ - 2013

[from Noozhawk.com]
The festive soiree serves as a benefit for the preservation and restoration of the Santa Barbara landmark

Montecito Journal coverage of May Mural Room Dinner Kick off 2013 - page 14
Courthouse Legacy Foundation Celebrates Fiesta with ‘Castanets and Cocktails’ - 2012
Fountain Project Gains Top Award

The Marble Institute of America’s prestigious Pinnacle Awards honor stone companies around the world for projects that stand out above the rest...Nick Blantern of Britishstone received the Pinnacle Award of Excellence for the carving and installation of the Spirit of the Ocean.

naomi schwartz (1932 - 2012)
Naomi Schwartz (1934 - 2012)

Naomi was a founding member of the Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation. Her passion for the courthouse and insight into non-profit management and sense of collaborative inclusion will be her legacy and sorely missed.

Did You Know...

The Mural Room, once the hearing room for the County Board of Supervisor’s is home to one of the largest installed painted murals in the United States. At just over 4,200 square feet, this mural depicts the early settlement years of California prior to becoming the 49th State. The Mural was painted in four months’ time by Daniel Sayre Groesbeck for just over $9,000.