Honoree Robert Kieding, left, and Greg Gorga, executive director of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, after the unveiling of the Kieding Collections Chandlery at the museum’s Eastside Santa Barbara facility. 
Original Santa Barbara Maritime Museum founders, left, Lee Fleischer, board members Andy Cooper and Leslie Leaney, Robert Kieding, Peter Howorth and board president Don Barthelmess. 
A visitor views part of the museum collections. 
KEYT’s Mark Danielson, left, museum board president Don Barthelmess and Carol Kallman. 
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum board members Linda Stirling, left, Sigrid Toye and Elsbeth Kleen. 
Museum staff members Emily Falke and Greg Gorga with Geoie Writer, Robert Kieding and Don Barthelmess. 
Jane Lindsey, left, the museum’s development director, with Michael Bruce and Debbie Bruce.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum opened its doors on July 29, 2000, with the mission to present and interpret the rich and diverse maritime history of the Santa Barbara Channel, including important environmental issues. Now, the musuem is marking its 20th anniversary with a number of celebrations and events. The first event honored the museum’s refurbishment of its Eastside Santa Barbara collections facility in honor of one of its founders, Robert Kieding.
About 75 museum supporters gathered on Jan. 9 to recognize Kieding.
He was the longtime owner of the Santa Barbara Chandlery (now West Marine) and was one of the primary forces that led to the establishment of the museum. During its opening years, he served as president and vice president of the museum.
He also served as president of the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation, as a trustee for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and as a columnist for the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Current museum board president Don Barthelmess welcomed the assembled guests in the foyer of the facility and then turned the program over to Executive Director Greg Gorga.
Gorga recognized those present who were involved with the museum in 2000: Lee Fleischer, Andy Cooper, Leslie Leaney, Robert Kieding and Peter Howorth, as well as early influencers, including Milton Schwartz, Rusty Fairly, and “Keystone Founders” Nick DiNapoli, Barry Berkus, Fred Rice and others.
Other news announced was the museum’s successful application for accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, as well as its recent selection by the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce as its Nonprofit of the Year for 2020.
After the wine and hors d’oeuvres reception and the program introductions and announcements, Kieding was asked to come forward. Soon after, new signage for the collections facility was unveiled to reveal the Kieding Collections Chandlery. It was a complete surprise to Kieding, who was applauded by guests as well as his family members who attended.
In addition to monthly lectures and special film showings and events in 2020, the museum will host three art exhibits — “Fishing with Paper and Ink,” traditional Japanese Gyotaku prints; “Mermaids,” photography by Ralph Clevenger and friends; and maritime paintings by Naval artist Arthur Beaumont.
A special evening to honor surfing legends Renny Yater and Shaun Tomson will be held in May, and the year’s anniversary activities will end with a Founders Dinner and Reception in December.
Ongoing museum experiences include interactive and hands-on learning experiences that delve into the area’s history and culture. Current exhibits include the Point Conception First-Order Fresnel Lens, the historic sport fishing yacht Ranger, and an extensive collection of Dwight Brooks’ fully-functional boat models.
The museum has been named as one of the top 10 maritime museums in the United States by Marina Life Magazine.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is located at the historic Santa Barbara Harbor at 113 Harbor Way, Suite 190. Click here for more information, or call 805.962.8404.
— Noozhawk contributing writer Rochelle Rose can be reached at rrose@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkSociety, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Become a fan of Noozhawk on Facebook.