An Introduction.
Casa del Herrero, Spanish for “House of the Blacksmith,” was built by famed architect George Washington Smith. Originally designed for the Steedman Family, the Casa is still one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the country today.
Medora Steedman Bass often referred to the Montecito-based estate as “a special place between the mountains and the sea.” Since its completion in 1925, the Casa remained exclusively in the original family’s hands until 1993 when ownership was transferred to create the Casa del Herrero Foundation.
The foundation’s sole purpose is to preserve, protect, and share this amazing historic resource with the public. As we embark on our $18 Million Capital Campaign in celebration of the estate’s 100th anniversary in 2025, we ask for your support to help us continue that same mission protecting the history and beauty of this cherished masterpiece.
By addressing infrastructure needs, modernizing collections conservation, increasing community engagement, and enhancing the grounds and gardens, the Casa will be well-positioned to withstand the next century just as it has the last.
Campaign Committee
Susan & Palmer Jackson Jr., Co-Chairs (pictured)
Marc Appleton
Sharon & David Bradford
Carol & Michael C. Linn
Mari & Patrick McAlister
George Steedman Bass (In Memoriam)
Highlights of Our Work to Come
The stunning Spanish terracotta tile roof of the Casa and other buildings date back to 1925 and have only had minor repairs since. To protect and preserve the Casa and collections, the current roof systems will be repaired and restored, bringing both structural integrity and aesthetic beauty to the Casa for decades to come.
Roof Restoration
As visitors explore the gardens, they are greeted by one of our favorite treasures: the Star Fountain. The fountain is the centerpiece of the estate’s southern courtyard and has been a focal point since the home’s completion. We will fully restore and preserve this beautiful water element with necessary infrastructure repairs to the circulation systems as well as refurbish the period-specific tiles.
Star Fountain Refurbishment
The original greenhouse will be fully restored to its working splendor, including new glass roofing and sides, improved irrigation capabilities, as well as structural integrity work to guarantee its suitability to function as a workspace for both cultivation and education.
Greenhouse Repair & Upgrades
Much of the home’s original collection of 16th to 18th Century art remains on Casa’s grounds. We will have many of our signature art pieces conserved and repaired, correcting years of neglect or improper care. Pieces like our Flemish hand-carved alabaster statue of St. George Slaying The Dragon or our extremely rare 16th Century Franco-Flemish mille fleur tapestry will all receive the proper care they require.
Art Restoration
“To make the house and gardens available as a meeting place for those concerned with the interests similar to my father’s, some of which were: architecture, gardening, silversmithing, and global problems, and my own concerns for women’s issues, mental health, ecology, hospice…”
— Medora Steedman Bass, Handwritten thoughts, October 25, 1986
Community Engagement
In keeping with the wishes of the Steedman family, we are expanding our efforts to foster the vision they had for the Casa to serve as a cherished public resource for both engagement and interaction. Extending beyond our respected docent-led public tours, we are adding a variety of new programming, including expanding our educational outreach programs, introducing a new speaker’s series on national and global issues, reinvigorating engagement with Mr. Steedman’s passions of both silversmithing and winemaking, and expanding upon the family’s desire to see the grounds and gardens be utilized for horticulture and plant management.
Good work lives on.
We are committed to making real, lasting, and positive change in our community, and with over thirty years’ experience, we understand the commitment and vision that demands. We also have big new dreams for the future… for the next 100 years of Casa del Herrero. This is where our endowment comes into play. It’s about being sustainable and secure. It’s also about making sure we are able to continue doing what we do best: sharing the history and opportunity of the Casa.
When you contribute to our endowment fund, you become part of something bigger than just the Casa… you are joining a team of people who believe in our mission and the impact we can have.
Your support is an investment to ensure we can continue to make a positive impact for years to come. And it’s about so much more than dollars and cents… it’s about building a legacy of compassion, innovation, and education with lasting impact right here in Santa Barbara.
Your involvement ensures Casa del Herrero remains resilient and capable of upholding our commitments to our community, supporters, and visitors. Together we can write the next chapters of our story, guaranteeing a brighter future for the Casa and all those we serve.
*Please call us at 805-565-5653 ext 105 to make significant gifts over $25,000.
Preserving Our Past. Protecting Our Future.
Contact Us.
For 100 years, Casa del Herrero has been a treasured centerpiece of Montecito. In one magical location, it presents award-winning gardens and grounds, the best of George Washington Smith’s iconic architecture, and the priceless Steedman silver, art collection, and antiques.
As we look ahead to our next century, we will preserve our extraordinary past and protect our bright future for generations to come. Casa del Herrero needs your help now to protect its structural and collections integrity to continue our meaningful community engagement and programming.
To learn more about all the ways to give and support our vision for the future, please fill out our form and a member of our Development Team will reach out to you personally.
Capital Campaign Media Mentions
Casa del Herrero is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.