Collection Guide
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Douglas (Walter) Portrait and Oral History Collection
MS-15
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Presidio Research Center
Title: Walter Douglas Portrait and Oral History Collection
creator:
Douglas, Walter C. (Walter Cornelius), 1919-2014
creator:
Douglas, Walter C. (Walter Cornelius), 1919-2014
Identifier/Call Number: MS-15
Physical Description:
15 Linear Feet
13 oversized boxes; 110 audio cassettes
Date (inclusive): 1983-2002
Abstract: The collection consists of portraits and prints of Santa Barbara citizens who have been active and influential in the work
of preserving Santa Barbara's history. They were photographed by Walter Douglas in his home studio between 1996 and 2002.
The collection also consists of corresponding oral history interviews with the portrait subjects.
The collection consists of a series of matted portraits and prints photographed by Walter C. Douglas in his home studio between
1996 and 2002. While the majority of the photos are portraits, a small number are landscape, structure, and architectural
detail shots of historic Santa Barbara city and county buildings.
The portraits are primarily of Santa Barbara citizens who have been active and influential in the work of preserving Santa
Barbara's history, and many work in connection with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.
The collection also consists of corresponding oral history interviews with some of the portrait subjects. Subjects were selected
for portrait sittings and interviews based on their connection with Santa Barbara historic preservation or a connection with
prominent nineteenth century Santa Barbara citizens. Several of the interviewees are descendants of major landholding families
from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; others are or were notable figures involved in a variety of civic
activities from the mid-twentieth century forward.
Walter C. Douglas' project represents nearly a decade of work preserving the stories and images of these Santa Barbara citizens.
In Mr. Douglas' own words, his project accomplishes the documentation of the
last generation of Santa Barbara pioneers.
Walter C. Douglas was born December 15, 1919 in St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California. He was baptized by Father
Villa in Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. He is a member of the graduating class
of 1939 from Santa Barbara High School and a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography first class in 1948.
During his career, Mr. Douglas worked as a photographer for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a group supervisor at Los Prietos
Boys Camp, a planning technician for Santa Barbara County, a building designer for the cities of Santa Ynez and Solvang, an
engineer and photographer for Pacific Bell Telephone Company, and as a free-lance photographer.
A lifelong Santa Barbara resident, Mr. Douglas is a founding member of the Santa Barbara Historical Society and has been involved
with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation from its inception. He currently lives in Santa Barbara with his wife
Joyce.
The collection is organized by and preserves the numbering and original chronological order imposed by Mr. Douglas during
his project.
Container descriptions identify the nature of the photograph; descriptions that contain names only indicate a portrait; building
names or more detailed descriptions indicate landscape, structure, or architectural photos or prints.
Photos labeled
Print are prints made by Walter C. Douglas from a negative, and generally consist of early twentieth century photographs and one
daguerrotype (Maria Antonia De la Guerra, box 1).
A code of
RI following the portrait name indicates that a recorded interview was also conducted.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts, Walter Douglas, 1997-2000
Walter C. Douglas Portrait and Oral History Collection, MS-15, Presidio Research Center, Santa Barbara Trust for Historic
Preservation.
Collection is open to researchers.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist and Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Research Center as the
owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be
obtained by the reader.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Buildings
Photographs
Portraits
Oral history