The Pearl Chase Society is an all volunteer, not-for-profit conservancy dedicated to preserving Santa Barbara’s historic architecture, landscapes and cultural heritage. |
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Few American communities possess the natural beauty, built environment, or civic spirit with which Santa Barbara is graced. Yet anyone familiar with our rich history knows that these attributes did not happen by chance, but rather were the result of years of thoughtful and consistent action by the area’s residents. Of these, no one did more than the remarkable Pearl Chase (1888 – 1979), who shaped the architectural development of the city and county through her wide-ranging influence and tireless advocacy. |
Established in 1995, the Pearl Chase Society continues to advance and enlarge upon the founding vision of Pearl Chase. The Society is a citizen-based conservancy that fills a crucial need today in preserving and enhancing the cultural and architectural heritage of Santa Barbara County. The Society engages in charitable and educational activities to promote and preserve Santa Barbara’s historic sites of rare value and continuing community interest. Members of the Pearl Chase Society are invited to attend general meetings of the Society, have opportunities to serve on committees of particular interest, receive newsletters and calendars, and participate in special tours and lectures. Members may also volunteer for a variety of activities. Most important, membership in the Pearl Chase Society supports our crucial ongoing efforts to protect the irreplaceable historic resources of the Santa Barbara area. Pearl Chase believed in the power of collaboration, and we are committed to fostering productive relationships with both public and private entities. The Society provides financial support and volunteer assistance in the preservation of historic gardens, structures, and other resources. The Pearl Chase Society is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (Tax ID #77-0474251). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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CONDUCTS annual public tours of our community’s historic homes and neighborhoods.
PROVIDES VOLUNTEERS for neighborhood-based historic resources surveys.
SUPPORTS CATALOGUING AND IDENTIFICATION of historic photographs and documents stored by the City of Santa Barbara.
OFFERS EDUCATIONAL TRIPS to historic sites in the City and County of Santa Barbara.
COLLABORATES with the University of California Santa Barbara to present the Pearl Chase Society Music Series, offering world-class concerts and architectural lectures at historic sites in and around Santa Barbara.
SPONSORS public speakers, conferences, and lectures to promote preservation of our unique architecture, landscapes, and cultural heritage.
PARTNERS with the City of Santa Barbara and other community organizations on such projects as the Franceschi House rehabilitation and the California Preservation Foundation conference.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Pearl Chase Society
PO Box 92121
Santa Barbara, CA 93190-2121
Phone: (805) 961-3938
Email: info@pearlchasesociety.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Officers
President: sue adams
Vice President: caren k. rager
Secretary: Maureen Masson
Treasurer: VITO GIOIELLO
Historian: Patti ottoboni
Members
BOB BAUM
HATTIE BERESFORD
LOUISE BOUCHER
kELLAM DE FOREST
VITO GIOIELLO
ROGER HORTON
BARBARA LOWENTHAL
lisa lunsford
fermina murray
MICHEL NELLIS
PATTI OTTOBONI
KITTY PERI
JO THOMPSON
ABOUT PEARL CHASE: A pioneer in the fields of conservation, preservation, social services, and civic planning, Pearl Chase was devoted to improving the surroundings of others. For 70 years, from the time of her graduation from the University of California Berkeley in 1909, until her death, she was a dominant force in molding the character of Santa Barbara. |
 Pearl Chase |
Often referred to as the First Lady of Santa Barbara, she founded many civic and cultural organizations that have profoundly affected the city of Santa Barbara and the state of California, including the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Community Arts Association, and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. Pearl Chase was instrumental in the conservation of the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Santa Barbara’s beachfront, now known as Chase Palm Park, and in the restoration of the Presidio, the city’s 18th-century birthplace. She was selected Woman of the Year by the L.A. Times in 1952, and was chosen Santa Barbara’s first Woman of the Year in 1956. Her well-deserved reputation as a preservationist was acknowledged by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which awarded her their highest honor in 1973. The Chase family home on Anacapa Street, a private residence, is now a designated city landmark.
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