Courthouse Legacy Foundation

The Mural Room conservation project in the Santa Barbara Courthouse received a prestigious award – the 2018 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award – one of only six awards in California. It honors preservation projects representing exemplary achievements on behalf of preserving California’s richly diverse heritage.

“The California Legacy Foundation (CLF) is proud of the entire project team and grateful to the many generous donors who made the restoration work possible,” declared president of the CLF board of directors Jan Ferrell. The award was presented in Sacramento by then Governor Jerry Brown.

There was a small electrical fire in 2010 when it was discovered that the murals and many other decorative architectural elements in the Mural Room needed restoration and repair. An $800,000 fundraising campaign began in 2012 and was completed in 2015. The ceiling has also been lit for the first time ever so now you can see how beautiful it truly is.

The next project is restoration of the Grand Arch over the passageway between Anacapa Street and the Sunken Gardens. The Foundation began to raise money in 2017 on their way to $321,000. County Architect Robert Ooley, FAIA said, “It is important we address this issue now.” The County of Santa Barbara is responsible for the general maintenance of the Courthouse but does not have funds for restorations. Since 2004 the CLF has taken on ten different projects including the Clock Tower. To learn how you can help with this most worthy project visit www.sbclf.org.