Santa Barbara History

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum, located in the historic downtown district, is committed to connecting people to and fostering a deeper understanding of the history of our community. The Museum offers two permanent exhibition galleries. The Story of Santa Barbara traces the history of the region from the days of the Native American Chumash into the 21st century through the display of rare artifacts, fine art and photography while the Edward Borein Gallery documents the life and work of one of the finest artists of the American West.

The Museum’s new app will enrich visitors’ experience with an interactive audio with dual language support in English and Spanish and offers enhanced context to the stories of the remarkable people and dramatic events which, when weaved together, form the history of Santa Barbara. This app will make use of your GPS which can cause a decrease in battery life.