Members of the 2023 Courthouse Docent Council.
Members of the 2023 Courthouse Docent Council. Diana Hamilton, left, Thomas Jevens, Diane Galt, Maria Garcia, Mary Nisbet, Maria Figueroa, not pictured: Patricia Sheppard. Credit: Contributed

For almost 50 years, the Courthouse Docent Council has provided a thorough training program for prospective members.

Seven new docents graduated on April 15 after completing a 10-week training covering in-depth knowledge about the artisans, architects, construction and history of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a National & State Historic Landmark and a Santa Barbara icon. 

The class was led by Robert L. Ooley, FAIA, County Architect (retired), and Rodney Baker, Docent Council Projects Chair.

Docents provide daily Courthouse tours for visitors from all over the world, staff the information booth in the lobby, and are involved with preservation projects.

More information can be found on the Council’s website, https://www.sbcourthouse.org/