Governor’s Historic Preservation Award Given To Santa Barbara Courthouse

Source: The Courthouse Legacy Foundation

The Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Foundation (CLF), is proud to announce that the “Mural Room Conservation Project” was one of only six projects statewide to receive the 2018 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award which honors preservation projects representing exemplary achievements on behalf of preserving California’s richly diverse heritage.

“It is an honor to be recognized for the work that was done to preserve our magnificent Mural Room,” said Jan Ferrell, president of the CLF board of directors. “The CLF is proud of the entire project team and grateful to the many generous donors who made the restoration work possible” she added.

Representatives from the CLF and Santa Barbara County will receive the award from Governor Jerry Brown during an annual ceremony and reception on Thursday, November 1st in Sacramento.

About the Mural Room Conservation Project

Following a small electrical fire in 2010, it was discovered that the murals and many other decorative architectural elements in the Mural Room needed significant conservation, restoration, and repair. In 2012, the Courthouse Legacy Foundation began a fundraising effort to raise $800,000 for the preservation and restoration of the Mural Room. The project was successfully completed in 2015 and is a now an award-winning example of expert conversation and preservation. 

About the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award

Established in 1986 by Governor George Deukmejian, the Governor’s Historic Preservation Awards Program is distinguished from other preservation awards in two important respects: it emphasizes involvement by community groups, and it recognizes a broad array of preservation activities, from building rehabilitation to archaeology, education, and preservation planning.

Next Project – Restoration of the Grand Arch

For several years, portions of the entry to the Grand Arch which spans the passageway between Anacapa Street and the Sunken Gardens has been visibly deteriorating. In particular, the sandstone and sculpture work is eroding and the mortar joints are failing. The Courthouse Legacy Foundation began raising money for this important project in 2017 and are a third of the way to their $321,000 fundraising goal.  The organization is actively seeking additional funds to complete the project.

“If the Grand Arch is not repaired the stonework will continue to deteriorate, which could significantly increase the cost of future repairs.” Said County Architect Robert Ooley, FAIA.  “It is important that we address this issue now before a major architectural component of our important historic landmark building is compromised.” 

The County of Santa Barbara is responsible for the general maintenance of the Courthouse but does not have the artistic resources or funds to authentically restore this historic structure.

Gifts to the CLF are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

About the Courthouse Legacy Foundation

The Courthouse Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, preservation, restoration, enhancement, and educational legacy of the Santa Barbara Courthouse consistent with the status as a historic landmark property. The Courthouse was designated a Santa Barbara City Landmark in 1981, a California State Historic Landmark in 2003 and National Historic Landmark in 2005. www.sbclf.org.

Since 2004, the CLF has funded or directed the conservation or preservation of the following projects:

• Restored the mural of El Funeral del Gobernador José Figueroa
• Brought together 5 of the 6 Theodore Van Cina murals in the Figueroa Gallery
• Rehabilitated the Hall of Records
• Restored the Mudéjar ceiling in one of the two original courtrooms
• Replaced the badly deteriorated “Spirit of the Ocean” fountain
• Restored the Heraldic paintings on the panels of the ceiling of the Grand Arch
• Restored and enhanced the Courthouse Seth Thomas Tower Clock and created the Bisno Schall Clock Gallery
• Restored all the murals and the ceiling in the Mural Room and upgraded the lighting
• Renovated a janitor’s closet into an office for CLF use and art gallery for local artists