Museum Events
Join our community of Santa Barbara enthusiasts for lively talks (with wine!), walks, concerts, and other opportunities to connect with local history.
Watch past talks on TVSB or online HERE.
California Avocados: A Delicious History
Join us for a talk by Rob Crisell
Wednesday, January 15
5:30 PM
Avocados were first introduced to California in 1871 when Judge R.B. Ord planted three seedling trees from Mexico in Santa Barbara, sparking a century-long love affair that transformed California into “Avocado Land.” Twenty-four years later, Kinton Stevens established the nation’s first commercial avocado orchard in Montecito. These early efforts laid the foundation for California's avocado industry, which now supplies about 90% of the U.S. crop.
In his latest book, California Avocados: A Delicious History, author Rob Crisell explores how California’s favorite fruit became one of the most famous and iconic foods of the twenty-first century.
Silents on the Islands: Silent Movies on the Channel Islands
Join us for a talk by Betsy J. Green
Wednesday, January 29
5:30 PM
Hundreds of silent movies were filmed on the idyllic islands of California starring luminaries such as Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Keaton, Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel, and many more. Daring actors and actresses jumped off cliffs, battled pirates, swam with sharks, thwarted evildoers, and rescued mermaids. The earliest films were five- or ten-minutes long and filmed on the beaches. Island movies later grew into million-dollar features with casts of thousands.
Join local author and historian Betsy J. Green for a talk on her latest book, Silents on the Islands: Silent movies filmed on California’s Channel Islands.
Flamenco Íntimo
Join us for an intimate concert in our adobe
Friday, January 31
Location: Covarrubias Adobe
Enjoy an intimate show in the museum's Spanish era adobe. The show will feature award-winning artists dancer Manuel Gutierrez (Spain), singer Pepele Mendez (Spain), guitarist Andres Vadin (Cuba), and percussionist Diego Alvarez (Venezuela).
Co-hosted by Flamenco! Santa Barbara.
1st Thursday
Join us after hours
Thursday, February 6
5-8:00 PM
Location: Museum
Join the Museum for a SILENT DISCO and after-hours wine and music in our latest exhibitions.
Free. All ages welcome. No RSVP required.
