Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

What Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation does

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1963 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, that operates as the steward of the Presidio Neighborhood and multiple historic sites including El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, Casa de la Guerra (an 1828-1858 residence), Jimmy's Oriental Gardens, and the Presidio Research Center. Its underlying asset base comprises physical historic properties under its care and an archival collection anchored by more than 40 Presidio descendant family genealogy charts, developed over the organization's 63+ years of continuous operation. The technology layer is minimal: a Squarespace website (sbthp.org), a Square-based online gift shop, and an Instagram channel for community engagement; there is no proprietary software product.

The business model blends earned revenue with philanthropic support across five distinct streams: (i) an annual membership program with a $50 minimum donation; (ii) venue rentals across five historic properties — Presidio Chapel at $2,625 (up to 180 guests), Presidio Orchard at $1,970 (up to 250 outdoor), Casa de la Guerra courtyard at $3,300 (up to 250), Pico Adobe at $525 (up to 15/30 guests), and the Alhecama Theatre (rate undisclosed, ~140 seated) — booked on a pay-as-you-go basis for weddings, receptions, and cultural gatherings; (iii) museum admissions at El Presidio (daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Casa de la Guerra (Thursday–Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m.); (iv) gift shop sales of mission-themed merchandise; and (v) tuition-based youth programming, including Presidio Archaeology Camp at $225 per week-long session for ages 10–15.

SBTHP serves four primary customer segments: the general public and community members engaging through admissions, memberships, and events; youth and families participating in school field trips and summer camps; event hosts (couples and organizations seeking distinctive historic venues); and researchers and scholars accessing archival collections at the Presidio Research Center by appointment. The go-to-market motion is fundamentally event- and place-driven: six signature annual community events (Presidio by Candlelight, Community History Day, Asian American Film Series, Asian American Neighborhood Festival, Día de los Muertos Craft Day, and Una Noche de las Posadas), combined with reciprocal partnerships — Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara, Mujeres Makers Market, HACSB, Santa Barbara Historical Museum, and Downtown Santa Barbara's 1st Thursday Artwalk — drive visitation, membership acquisition, and earned revenue.

Name

Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

Legal name

Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

Website

https://sbthp.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1963 that stewards Santa Barbara's Presidio Neighborhood, managing El Presidio State Historic Park, Casa de la Guerra, the Presidio Research Center, and five event venues while generating revenue through memberships, venue rentals, museum admissions, gift shop sales, and youth programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Archives, Special Collections & Preservation Operations (Rare Materials, Conservation) (EDAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Historic preservation services
• Cultural event programming
• Heritage venue rentals
• Museum education programs
• Archival research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Barbara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Donations: Annual membership program requiring a minimum $50 donation, providing community members a way to support preservation efforts and receive benefits.
2. Venue Rentals: Five unique historic venues (Presidio Chapel, Presidio Orchard, Casa de la Guerra, Pico Adobe, Alhecama Theatre) available for private events including weddings, receptions, and cultural gatherings at various price points.
3. Museum Admissions: El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park is open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Casa de la Guerra is open Thursday through Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.
4. Gift Shop Sales: On-site gift shop at El Presidio offering merchandise related to Santa Barbara history and SBTHP mission.
5. Summer Camp Tuition: Presidio Archaeology Camp charges $225 tuition for week-long program for ages 10-15.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SBTHP preserves and interprets a portfolio of Spanish colonial and Mexican-era historic properties in Santa Barbara's Presidio Neighborhood, operating El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and Casa de la Guerra as public museums, the Presidio Research Center as an archival facility, and five historic venues (Presidio Chapel, Presidio Orchard, Casa de la Guerra, Pico Adobe, Alhecama Theatre) for private event rentals. The organization supplements these core assets with youth education programs (school field trips, summer camps), six annual community cultural events, an annual membership program, and a small retail gift shop.

Product overview

SBTHP operates as a nonprofit historic preservation organization managing multiple historic sites and cultural programs. Its portfolio includes three primary historic sites (El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, Casa de la Guerra, and Jimmy's Oriental Gardens), a research center (Presidio Research Center) housing genealogical charts and archival collections, five event venues (Presidio Chapel, Presidio Orchard, Casa de la Guerra, Pico Adobe, and Alhecama Theatre), youth educational programs including field trips and summer camps, annual cultural events (Asian American Film Series, Asian American Neighborhood Festival, Community History Day, Presidio by Candlelight, Día de los Muertos Craft Day, and Las Posadas), and a retail gift shop. The organization does not offer a unified software product but rather manages physical historic properties and runs cultural programming as its core services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park A historic military outpost and museum offering exhibits, guided tours, and living history experiences exploring Santa Barbara's Spanish colonial period. Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for visitors and community members.
• Casa de la Guerra The restored 1828–1858 residence of Presidio Commandant José de la Guerra, featuring Spanish colonial architecture and a courtyard. Functions both as a public museum (Thursday–Sunday, 12–4 p.m.) and as a rentable event venue accommodating up to 250 guests at $3,300.
• Jimmy's Oriental Gardens A historic property within SBTHP's stewardship portfolio tied to the Presidio Neighborhood's Asian American heritage, referenced as one of the managed historic sites.
• Presidio Research Center An archival research facility offering access by appointment to genealogical charts, historical documents, and collections related to Santa Barbara's Presidio families and the Presidio Neighborhood. Full collection includes over 40 Presidio descendant family genealogy charts.
• Presidio Chapel Venue Rental A romantic adobe chapel furnished in late-18th-century style with whitewashed walls, candle sconces, and period santos. Available for intimate receptions and dinners up to 180 seated guests at $2,625.
• Presidio Orchard Venue Rental An outdoor venue flanked by 80-year-old fruit trees with views of the Presidio bell tower and surrounding mountains, suitable for dining, receptions, or gatherings up to 250 outdoor guests at $1,970.
• Pico Adobe Venue Rental A Mexican-American-style venue with a main room featuring a large wooden table, flat-screen TV, hearth, and a secluded exterior courtyard. Ideal for intimate gatherings up to 15 indoor guests and 30 outdoor guests at $525.
• Alhecama Theatre Venue Rental A beautifully restored 1920s venue with vintage charm and warm acoustics, ideal for performances, film screenings, lectures, and intimate receptions up to approximately 140 seated guests. Rate not publicly disclosed.
• SBTHP Annual Membership An annual membership program starting at a $50 minimum donation, providing community members a way to support preservation efforts and receive associated benefits.
• Youth Education Programs School field trips, the "Our Communities, Our Stories" annual 3rd grade program, the CASA Camp free summer day camp for HACSB families (ages 5-12), the Presidio Archaeology Camp for ages 10-15 at $225 tuition, and adult group tours.
• SBTHP Gift Shop An online gift shop operated through Square offering merchandise related to SBTHP's historic sites and programs.
• Presidio by Candlelight An annual February event offering rare after-dark access to the Santa Barbara Presidio illuminated by lanterns and candlelight, featuring music, storytelling, living history, and self-paced exploration.
• Community History Day An annual May event at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park featuring hands-on activities, walking tours, performances, and exhibits celebrating Santa Barbara's diverse communities. Free and open to all.
• Asian American Film Series An annual film series held each July at the historic Alhecama Theatre since 2010, showcasing films that illuminate Asian American experiences with themes of identity, resilience, and cultural heritage, often followed by filmmaker discussions.
• Asian American Neighborhood Festival An annual October festival celebrating Asian American cultures with cultural performances (lion dancing, taiko drumming, hula, breakdancing), artisan booths, hands-on crafts, and educational exhibits.
• Día de los Muertos Craft Day An annual November celebration honoring Día de los Muertos traditions featuring over 70 local vendors, live music, dance performances, face painting, art workshops, and a community ofrenda, in collaboration with Mujeres Makers Market.
• Una Noche de las Posadas An annual December candlelit procession beginning at the Presidio Chapel and concluding at Casa de la Guerra, reenacting the Las Posadas tradition with traditional Spanish carols, festive food, music, and a vibrant evening market curated by Mujeres Makers Market.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara (AFSB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBTHP partnered with AFSB to co-host 'Kids Draw Architecture' program at Casa de la Guerra, bringing youth and families to engage with aspiring architects and professional Santa Barbara-based architects.
• Mujeres Makers MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMujeres Makers Market collaborates with SBTHP for Día de los Muertos Craft Day and Una Noche de las Posadas events, providing vendor markets that enhance community engagement.
• Downtown Santa Barbara's 1st Thursday Artwalk ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSBTHP partners with Downtown Santa Barbara's 1st Thursday Artwalk to offer free, open house-style events at El Presidio after hours.
• Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara (HACSB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCASA Camp is offered exclusively for HACSB families, demonstrating targeted community partnership for youth education.
• Santa Barbara Historical MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBTHP offers combined field trip programs with the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, allowing schools to visit both El Presidio SHP and SBHM in coordinated visits.
• Presidio NeighborhoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBTHP launched a new brand and website for the Presidio Neighborhood (presidioneighborhoodsb.com) highlighting the past, present, and future of the neighborhood, indicating close collaborative stewardship.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Presidio Trust: A federal nonprofit that manages the Presidio of San Francisco as a national park site. Highly comparable as a 'preservation trust' organization stewarding a historic Presidio landmark with venues, programs, and public engagement.
• Mission San Juan Capistrano: A historic Spanish mission site operated as a museum and cultural venue with events and education programs. Comparable as a California Spanish-colonial heritage site generating revenue from admissions, events, and memberships.
• San Diego History Center: A regional museum and archives organization operating historic sites in San Diego County. Comparable as a nonprofit operating museums, archives, and educational programming with community events.
• Los Angeles Conservancy: A preservation-focused nonprofit offering events, tours, and educational programming in Los Angeles. Directly comparable in mission (historic preservation), community events, and educational outreach.
• Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO): A regional historic preservation nonprofit in San Diego County that operates preservation advocacy, education, and event programming. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and educational/community engagement model.
• History San José: A regional history organization operating historic sites, archives, and public programs in San José. Closely comparable in scale, structure (multi-site + archives), and community engagement model.
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: A Santa Barbara-based nonprofit museum with education programs, exhibits, and community events. Comparable as a local nonprofit museum with youth/family education programming and event-driven GTM.
• Santa Barbara Historical Museum: A Santa Barbara-based history museum and archival institution. SBTHP explicitly coordinates combined school field trip programming with this organization, indicating directly comparable mission and overlapping audience.

Broad incumbents

• California State Parks: The state agency that actually owns and manages El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, the centerpiece of SBTHP's portfolio. Directly relevant as the institutional operator and partner on SBTHP's primary site.
• National Trust for Historic Preservation: The largest U.S. preservation nonprofit, operating nationally with advocacy, grants, and site stewardship. SBTHP sits in the same sector at a regional scale and would naturally engage with this organization for grants and partnership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sbthp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sbthp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation