History

Robert Ooley, the County Architect formalized the Archives in 2000. Prior to the formal creation of an Archive; drawings and other project related materials where not kept, organized or stored in a way to provide future generations access to those materials. Over the 150 year history of the County, many drawings and project related materials have been lost. The primary goal of the Archive is to catalog, organize and store the papers and project records of Santa Barbara County architectural projects, comprising the inaugural collection. In 2002 the Archive expanded its holdings with the acquisition of the Courthouse Docent Council Archive. The Courthouse Collection comprises the objects within the historic courthouse, including: furniture, paintings, hangings, clock works, carpets, pottery, photographs, as well as other minor objects. In 2003, the Archive will acquire the historic minute books of the Clerk of the Board (COB), when their microfilming project is completed. The COB Collection will include hand written minute books from 1850 to 1950 as well as other similar record books.

Summary of Holdings

These records span a century, 1888-2001, and contain primary source materials such as correspondence, reports, specifications, drawings, photographs, and artifacts. The Archives holds nearly three thousand architectural drawings, one hundred project specification manuals and project files documenting the built and landscaped environment for county buildings. Though the archives' primary focus is Santa Barbara County projects, interest in other public projects may be found here in 2005.

The archives holds the records of historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse (ca. 1926-1929), an important early public project by William Mooser, Jr. Also in this collection are the drawings to the third courthouse (ca. 1872-1875) and the Hall of Records (ca. 1888-1889).

Also well documented are Veteran's Halls constructed around the county in the 1920's and 1930's. Collections of lesser-known projects which nonetheless made significant contributions to the built environment of Santa Barbara County also comprise an important part of the archives.

Donations & Acquisitions

The Archives welcomes support in all forms. If you wish to donate original architectural records of county projects in your custody, or if you know of architectural drawings, office records or architects' personal papers related to county projects, that should be preserved and accessible to researchers, please let us know. Donations of appraised records are tax-deductible. The Archives has a limited budget to acquire original materials and artifacts related to county projects. If you know of such original materials, please contact the Archives

Access

Access to the Archives is by appointment only. Reference inquiries are accepted by e-mail, phone and fax. Contact the archives for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The collection is open to all scholars, architects, landscape architects, preservationists, and the general public. Staff members will provide assistance in determining which materials are appropriate for specific research projects and will also refer researchers to other resources located in other county departments or non-county agencies. Finding aids for some collections are available through the Courthouse Information Booth. More detailed finding aids to many of the collections are available at the archives.

Fees

There is no research fee for students or county staff. An hourly research fee for using the collections is required for other researchers. Reproduction, publication, and exhibition of images from the archives are also subject to fees. Fees provide for the maintenance and operation of the Archives.

Policies

Holdings of the Archives are available to faculty, staff, students, and the public for research, within conditions imposed by donor agreements and institutional policy. Researchers are also required to comply with access rules designed to protect archival material for use by future generations.

Researchers are required to complete a registration form and to furnish personal photographic identification, such as a valid driver's license,  an employer's identification card or other form of picture identification. The registration form includes a statement of agreement to abide by the Archives regulations, which researchers are required to read and sign before gaining access to collections.

Stack areas are closed to the public. Materials cannot be removed from the archives. Researchers are not allowed to take coats, briefcases, backpacks, handbags, books, etc., to the research conference room. We provide an area for the storage of such items. No food, drinks or smoking is permitted.

Personal computers, typewriters and tape recorders may be used for taking notes provided that their use does not disturb other researchers. Use of such equipment is subject to approval by the Archivist. Scanners are not permitted.

Access to collections does not constitute procurement of permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit, broadcast, or electronically disseminate Archives materials. Researchers must obtain permission for these activities by separate agreement with the archives. Researchers are responsible for observing all U.S. and international copyright regulations.

Reproduction Services

The Archives provides reprographic services for a fee. Photographic reproductions and some other copying will be sent to external vendors. Researchers should consult the staff for current prices, procedures and estimates of turnaround time. The archives provides reprographic services on a prepaid basis only.

The archives reserves the right to refuse reproduction of its materials due to their physical condition, donor limitations, or legal requirements. All photocopying is done by staff. If necessary, the copies will be mailed to you following your research visit.

The archives provides reproductions for personal research only. Permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit, broadcast, or disseminate, including in electronic formats, must be obtained by separate agreement with the Archives. Procurement of copies is contingent on disclosure of purpose and does not constitute permission to publish, reproduce, exhibit, broadcast, or disseminate, including in electronic formats. Nor may copies be placed in another repository without prior written permission from the Archives. In addition, drawings from the collection may not be used to build new structures.