The Kitchen

Additional Audio Stop:

Old Mission Santa Barbara was founded by Father Fermín Lasuén in 1786 and by the late 1790s over 1000 Chumash lived at the Mission along with one or two friars. During this time, the main cooking was done outside. This kitchen was constructed in the 1960s to give visitors the experience of typical interior kitchens which are still seen in some remote places of South and Central America. 

The adobe wall is original construction from the 1790s.  This room was part of the portico or porch and a doorway was originally located where there is now a bookcase.  The exterior stone wall was constructed in 1805.  On the left, the corner walls show an impression of a horno or beehive type oven, which may have existed when this was the portico.  This (convento) wing housed bedrooms, learning rooms, working rooms and was a single story in height until the late 19th century.  Through the years the porch was enclosed to make it two rooms deep and a second story was added.  The structure of the Mission was always evolving reflecting changing needs, abilities, and resources. Today the Mission convento and church are National, State, and City landmarks which protects the integrity of the historic structures. As a living Mission, rooms and outdoor areas are staged and utilized differently over time to evolve with the needs of the Mission.