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.

Walter C. Douglas was born December 15, 1919 in St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, CA. He was baptized by Fr. 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’s first graduating 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.

15.0 Linear feet 13 oversized boxes; 110 audio cassettes

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Director for Historical Resources. 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.