Docents and instructors standing outside the County Courthouse are front row: Brea McInnes, left, Linda Bentsen, Robert L. Ooley, Rodney Baker, Sally Buhr, Nancy Terman; back row Lynn Edick, left, Robert Blackwell, Andrew Wilson, Michael Suess, Leslie Jones (Courtesy photo)
Docents and instructors outside the courthouse are: front row: Brea McInnes, left, Linda Bentsen, Robert L. Ooley, Rodney Baker, Sally Buhr, Nancy Terman; back row: Lynn Edick, left, Robert Blackwell, Andrew Wilson, Michael Suess, Leslie Jones. (Courtesy photo)

The Docent Class of 2025 graduated April 5 after completing a comprehensive 10-week training program at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.

For more than half a century, volunteer docents have served the community and guided visitors from all over the world on free daily tours of the museum-like courthouse, considered to be one of the finest public examples of Spanish-Mediterranean design in the nation.

Docents also staff the lobby information booth, provide educational tours for schools and other groups, and are involved in preservation work such as restoring the many historic lanterns that adorn the property.

The training is led by Robert L. Ooley, county architect (ret.), and Rodney Baker, Docent Council projects chair. The two provide expertise in the architecture, art, history, and significance of the courthouse, a National & State Historic Landmark and a City of Santa Barbara Landmark.

The Docent Council currently has 73 active members. Community members interested in becoming a docent can apply early to next year’s training program. Learn more on the council’s website.