Mobile Post: 1st Thursday: exhibit on the Flying A Studio @ SB Historical Museum
Posted by lemonjelly on:
This was my first time in the Historical Museum. It's a nice space, centrally located to downtown at the corner of Santa Barbara Street and de la Guerra Street. It has a serenely simple back courtyard that's a beautiful example of the Spanish Mission style.
The Museum has information and artifacts of Santa Barbara's history including the Chumash and the Spanish influence. There's also a gift shop with a plethora of Santa Barbara books and nice souveniers, including Santa Barbara themed tea towels (which I love).
Running through 19 August, 2012 is an exhibit on the Flying A Studio, Santa Barbara's one-time big-time movie studio from the early 1900s. By 1915 it was the world's largest film studio. Yes, in Santa Barbara! I spent a few years of early childhood living just a few blocks away from its primary location, on West Mission Street, and my young parents at the time took note of the landmark. It was always in the back of our minds, so when I heard about the exhibit at the Historical Museum, I made it my first stop on the First Thursday tour.
The show is in the main exhibit hall. Start on one side of the room, and walk through a chronology of the studio, stop in the middle to see one of the studio old black and white reels, and pause to look the old movie posters.
There will also be some talks over the next few months about the history of the Flying A. If you want to learn more about Santa Barbara's reel movie history (rather than all the assorted celebs who live here now), I recommend.
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
138 East de la Guerra Street
Flying A exhibit (and past exhibitions)
Check in on yelp, facebook, foursquare for perks and discounts. On this night, a FB checkin got a free drink (beer or wine).
2 Comments
Comment by Amybou on
this is the coolest exhibit. i keep meaning to write a piece about it.
Comment by Lemonjelly on
I added a movie poster for inspiration. You! Cur!