The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the launch of its Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series. Join SBMM every third Thursday of the month as leading experts speak on diverse topics ranging from California’s maritime history to the rich ecosystem in the Santa Barbara Channel. The inaugural speaker for this new series is Dr. Jarrell Jackman, who will explore the Presidio’s contributions to Santa Barbara in his talk “Santa Barbara’s Royal Presidio: Maritime Moments and More.”
During his talk, Dr. Jackman will introduce topics covered in his book Santa Barbara’s Royal Presidio: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Spain’s Last Adobe Fortress, including introducing the community’s first racial and cultural diversity, and developing a unique relationship with the local Chumash population. He will also discuss the preservation and rebuilding process for the Presidio completed in the 20th century.
Please join SBMM for this event on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The cost of this series is free for SBMM Navigators Circle members; $10 for all other members; and $20 for the general public. SBMM members will enjoy a pre-lecture reception from 6:15-6:45 p.m.
About the Speaker
Dr. Jarrell Jackman came to Santa Barbara in 1970 to pursue a PhD in history at UC Santa Barbara. After four years, Dr. Jackman left for Europe with his family to join a German Academic Exchange Fellowship to write his dissertation. He resided, studied, researched, and taught history for six years in Europe, primarily in Germany and Spain. Dr. Jackman later moved to Washington, DC, where he edited for the publication The Muses Flee Hitler, a series of papers delivered at the Smithsonian on the intellectual exiles who escaped from Europe. He has published and edited numerous books including Santa Barbara Historical Themes and Images, sponsored by the Santa Barbara News Press. Additionally, he served for 35 years as project administrator and CEO of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. During his tenure as director, the trust made more than 100,000 adobe bricks. Besides receiving several legacy awards, in 2016 he was knighted by Spanish King Felipe VI and named an Honorary State Park Ranger by the California State Parks Rangers Association, an award also received by Pearl Chase and Walt Disney. In September 2023, the California State Parks Commission presented him with the Gold Bear Award for his contributions to El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park. Dr. Jackman’s book, Santa Barbara’s Royal Presidio: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Spain’s Last Adobe Fortress, published this year by Lyons Press, will be available for purchase at the lecture.
The Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series is sponsored by Marie L. Morrisroe.
Missed a Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series? Watch our previous lectures.