Lectures Series – Commemorating the 1925 Earthquake

June Lecture Series - 1925 Earthquake Centennial Commemoration

Pearl Chase outside the Plans and Planting Committee. Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum.
1317 State Street, Arlington Hotel. Photo courtesy of Mary Louise Days
1500 State Street, Trinity Episcopal Church. Photo courtesy of Mary Louise Days.
35 State Street, Californian Hotel. Photo courtesy of Mary Louise Days.

The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce our June Lecture Series, focused on commemorating the centennial anniversary of the 1925 Earthquake that changed Santa Barbara forever. We hope you can join us for one or more lectures, and you’ll save if you purchase all four lectures as a series!

Pearl Chase: The Woman Who Helped Shape Our City, Part One, by Cheri Rae

June 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Info + Tickets

The author of A String of Pearls: Pearl Chase of Santa Barbara will join us for two special presentations that will offer insights about how this iconic figure helped shape the City of Santa Barbara before and after the 1925 Earthquake.

Part I: From her upbringing in Boston to her experiences in the San Francisco Earthquake to the establishment of the Community Arts Association.  Within the CAA, a Plans and Planting Committee was created which campaigned to increase public awareness and appreciation for architectural quality and integrity.  Plans and Planting was a major force behind the movement to design buildings in the Spanish Colonial Revival style and give Santa Barbara a unified architectural look.

 Pearl Chase: The Woman Who Helped Shape Our City, Part Two, by Cheri Rae

June 12, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Info + Tickets

Part II: How Pearl worked with Bernhard Hoffmann immediately after the Earthquake and carried on his work through the Plans and Planting organization after he left Santa Barbara. Historic photos, anecdotes, and Pearl’s own words will add to your understanding of the leadership role of this extraordinary woman in the creation of the myths and magic of Santa Barbara that continues to this day.

Why Buildings Fell: The 1925 Santa Barbara Earthquake, by Sage Shingle

June 19, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Info + Tickets

Join us for an eye-opening lecture on why buildings fell during the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake.  Using simple, everyday language, and historic photographs local structural engineers, Sage Shingle S.E. of T&S Structural Engineers, will evaluate the key reasons why many downtown structures collapsed—and what lessons we’ve learned since.  Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about earthquake safety, this talk will give you valuable insights into how buildings stand (or fall) when the ground shakes.  Don’t miss this fascinating look at Santa Barbara’s past and how it shaped the city we know today.

The Earthquake Survivors Speak, by Betsy Green

June 26, 2025 at 6:00 pm

Info + Tickets

The earthquake that hit Santa Barbara on the morning of June 29, 1925 killed 11 people.  For those who survived, it was a day they would never forget.  What was it like to be shaken awake at 6:42 in the morning?  People in hotels were thrown out of their beds and staggered down the stairs.  Families in homes stumbled through items that had fallen on the floor and ran outside.  People on the streets and sidewalks dodged the debris raining down.  But although the buildings downtown fell apart, the people pulled together and helped each other.  After a cup of strong coffee and some breakfast provided by volunteers in De la Guerra Plaza or Alameda Park, people began to think about rebuilding Santa Barbara in a style that would be envied by other cities.

Historian and author Betsy J. Green will share some of the stories told by the earthquake survivors and their descendants.  Copies of her latest book, Way Back When: Santa Barbara in 1925, will be available.

12/5 December: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club

December: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”
 
December’s Book:
Higher by Neal Bascomb
6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, December 5th, 2024
 

Join us on Zoom for this FREE book club event.
Happy Reading!

10/17 Presentation & Panel – Second Life: Building Community Around Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in the California Desert

Second Life: Building Community Around Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in the California Desert

Thursday, October 17th, 2024 at 5:00 pm 

The Hub at the Community Environmental Council

The panel will consist of Sidney Williams, Susan Secoy Jensen, and Leo Marmol

Refreshments will be served at 5:00 pm, followed by Presentations and a Panel Discussion at 5:30 pm. 

Tickets are $10 and available for purchase here. 1LU/HSW

This event comprises a series of presentations followed by a panel discussion analyzing the impact of preservation and adaptive reuse projects in the California desert. These projects not only extend the lifespan of architecturally significant structures but also, more significantly, foster public commitment to preserving and celebrating the region’s modern built identity—a dedication that stands out prominently in the area.

Spanning from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea, the Golden State’s desert stands as a symbol of architectural pride. Region-wide events like Modernism Week attract hundreds of thousands of architecture and design enthusiasts annually, contributing to the local fascination with the built environment. Nonprofits such as the Palm Springs Modern Committee, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Palm Desert Preservation Foundation, and others play a crucial role in raising awareness about the region’s architectural significance and mobilizing both public and private sectors to preserve it. As grassroots organizations driven by ecological concerns rather than profit, they actively oppose development plans that threaten social structures and environmental richness.

Towns like Palm Springs and Palm Desert, akin to Santa Barbara and Montecito, boast strong architectural identities. Architects across these urban centers grapple with similar challenges: balancing the preservation of local character with evolving functional and aesthetic needs. Preservation efforts, including adaptive reuse projects, emerge from this balance, offering insights for new construction in these historically rooted towns.

The event aims to highlight preservation stories led by grassroots organizations in the California desert. These efforts, by engaging the public, have nurtured feelings of belonging, optimism, and pride in architecture, which provide valuable insights for Santa Barbara’s architects and the broader public.

10/17 October: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club

October: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”
 
October’s Book:
The Strip by Stefan Al
6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, October 17th, 2024
 

Join us on Zoom for this FREE book club event.
Happy Reading!

Upcoming Book Club Dates:
December 5 – Higher by Neal Bascomb

August: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club

August: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”
 
August’s Book:
The Empire State Building by John Tauranac
6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, August 15, 2024
 

Join us on Zoom for this FREE book club event.
Happy Reading!

Upcoming Book Club Dates:
October 17 – The Strip by Stefan Al
December 5 – Higher by Neal Bascomb

September: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

September: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Vice President Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”

 
September’s Book:
Twelve Nights at Rotter House by JW Ocker
6-8:00 PM Wednesday, September 28, 2022
229 East Victoria Street, Santa Barbara 93101
 

Gather with us for this FREE in person book club event at the historic Acheson House: the perfect venue to share the architecture of life, death, friendship, and suspense in Twelve Nights at Rotter House.

Join the private Facebook group (same name) to interact with more book lovers!

Happy Reading

July: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

July: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Vice President Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”

 
July’s Book:
The Cecil Hotel by Chris Swinney
6-8:00 PM Wednesday, July 27, 2022
229 East Victoria Street, Santa Barbara 93101
 

Gather with us for this FREE in person book club event at the historic Acheson House: the perfect venue to share the architecture of life, death, love, art and scandal at the Cecil Hotel. 

 
Join the private Facebook group (same name) to interact with more book lovers!

Happy Reading!

May: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

May: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Vice President Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”

 
May’s Book:
The Castle on Sunset by Shawn Levy
6-8:00 PM Wednesday, May 25, 2022
229 East Victoria Street, Santa Barbara 93101
 

Register at Facebook for this FREE in person book club event at the historic Acheson House: the perfect venue to share the architecture of life, death, love, art and scandal at Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont. 

 
Join the private Facebook group (same name) to interact with more book lovers!

Happy Reading!

October: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

October: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Vice President Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”

 
October’s Book:
The Shining by Stephen King
6-7:30 PM Thursday, October 28, 2021
229 East Victoria Street, Santa Barbara 93101
 

Register at Facebook for this FREE in person book club event at the historic Acheson House: the perfect venue to share the architecture of horror that is The Shining. 

 
Join the private Facebook group (same name) to interact with more book lovers!

Happy Reading!

September: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

September: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club

WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER.

Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle.

“Personally, I prefer to read books—fiction or non-fiction—that feature the city as a character,” says the book club’s curator, AFSB Vice President Selinda Tuttle. “The only thing cooler than reading a book that reckons with a city is being able to talk about that book with people who find it just as worthy of conversation.”

 
September’s Book:
The Woman in the Window
by A. J. Finn
 

Register at Facebook for this live video event. 

 
Join the private Facebook group (same name) to interact with more book lovers!

Happy Reading!