The mural room at the Santa Barbara Courthouse won recognition from Jerry Brown, awarded the 2018 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award. A small fire in 2010 had damaged the artwork with smoke, and the restoration included the decorated ceiling, leather benches, tile, and wrought iron. It was one of six to win the award; the others ranged from the Chumash Tstyiwi village near Diablo Canyon Power Plant to a survey of West Hollywood buildings from 1895 to 1975. The Courthouse Legacy Foundation raised $800,000 to restore artist Daniel Sayre Groesbeck’s murals, partly through the public interest spurred in free tours during the 10-month restoration.
Governor Gives Award to Courthouse Mural Room
Restoration Followed Smoke Damage