Project Fiesta! goes back in time with Old Spanish Days

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – "Project Fiesta: A History of Old Spanish Days" has opened at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

It features 99 photos of Old Spanish Days from the Gledhill Library collection.

There are countless photos of Fiesta preserved there.

The museum says, in 1924 when Fiesta began, Mayor Charles M. Andrea declared fiesta week "one of festival and gaiety, during which period, which shall be known as 'Old Spanish Days,' the spirit of old Santa Barbara shall be lived again and again and the new Santa Barbara shall give way to the traditions of the city’s founders," a time of homecoming for former residents and one of hospitality for guests.

The exhibit is an opportunity to see the look of Old Spanish Days from its earliest years and walk through an exhibit dating back nine decades.

The public may also see family members in the photos who may have been in the parade or part of the Old Spanish Days organizers from days gone by.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum Executive Director Dacia Harwood said, "we have photos on the wall of volunteers and  dignitaries  and your neighbors and your parents. It's been really fun  to see people recognizing people on our walls participating in Fiesta."

Gledhill Library Head archivist Chris Ervin said, "here at the museum we have a climate controlled environment. Our goal is to preserve the materials as long as we possibly can and get them to last."

Ervin said the public is asked to donate pictures they have from family members if they don't want to have them fade away. "Even citizen photographers can also provide amazing scenes that are much more natural and community oriented. So we are always looking to collect. "

Social media is also a place to showcase them. Harwood said, "so if you're not quite ready to share them with us, share them on social media and tag project Fiesta we really are looking forward to sharing as many of our communities memories as possible."

Admission to the museum is free.

For more information go to: The Santa Barbara Historical Museum.

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