Museum Exhibitions
The Museum’s mission is to create meaningful connections to Santa Barbara history. The signature installation, The Story of Santa Barbara traces our community’s story from the Chumash to the mid-20th century.
Accessible and diverse programming along with rotating exhibitions feature dynamic local traditions and historical events. Visitors also experience the Edward Borein Gallery, the Gledhill Research Library, and two historic adobes.
Finding Saint Barbara
This new exhibition will explore the origin and stories of our city’s patron saint and marking one hundred years of her presence in Fiesta celebrations.
The exhibition is part of our yearly series "Project Fiesta," created to celebrate the history of Old Spanish Days Fiesta in our community.
Open through 2026
Arte de los Mantónes
Part of our Project Fiesta series of exhibitions
Celebrating the beauty and history of the Spanish shawl, from its origins in Manila and the global silk trade to its lasting place in the traditions of Santa Barbara. Passed down through generations and featured in Old Spanish Days Fiesta performances and celebrations, these shawls reflect a living tradition that continues to connect culture, community, and heritage.
Open through 2026
The Story of Santa Barbara
The Museum’s mission is to create meaningful connections to Santa Barbara history. The signature installation traces our community’s story from the Chumash to the mid-20th century. The exhibition features highlights of our extensive collection including clothing, furniture, fine art, photographs, decorative arts, and more.
An audio guide is available to accompany your self-guided visit.
Permanent Installation
Edward Borein Gallery
Western artist Edward Borein (1872-1945) roamed the western states and territories and much of Mexico, working as a cowboy and using his artistic talent to record these experiences.
In his early thirties Borein decided to pursue a career as a professional artist and moved to New York City, where his studio soon became a favorite haunt for important figures such as Will Rogers, Charles M. Russell, Carl Oscar Borg and Buffalo Bill Cody. In the early 1920s he returned to his native California and set up a permanent studio in Santa Barbara. His etchings, watercolors, and drawings quickly earned him a reputation as one of the foremost interpreters of the American West.
The Museum holds the largest and most significant collections of his work, thanks to the dedication and research of curator Marlene Miller.
Permanent Installation
