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Douglas, Walter C. (Walter Cornelius), 1919-2014

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1919 - 2014

Biography

Walter C. "Walt" Douglas, along with his wife Joyce, an award-winning poet, has been a valued Trust member since 1984. The Douglases rarely missed a Trust-sponsored event and enthusiastically embraced all the Trust's activities. Walt expressed his support of the Trust in a number of ways over the years.



An avid collector of historical memorabilia, Walt has donated several items from his collection to the Trust. Those donations have ranged from the double bass viol in the Presidio Chapel choir loft to an Indian pestle, an 18th century carved chair, a priest's breviary and photos and audio recordings of Richard S. Whitehead.



A graduate of Brooks Institute, Walt maintained a deep interest in photography throughout his lifetime. His skill with a camera and his deep interest in local history were much in evidence during RETRO 3380, a two day showing of Walt's favorite personal photographs, held in The Club at Ennisbrook January 26 and 27, 1991. The exhibit was described as, "A passage of time through the lens of Walter C. Douglas." Fifty percent of all proceeds from sales at RETRO 3380 were donated to the Trust.



Walt was equally generous with his time. From 1988 to 1991, he spent two hundred volunteer hours in the Presidio Research Center painstakingly sorting a large backlog of photograpic materials and inserting them into protective sleeves for preservation. His assistance and the care with which he exercised it were invaluable to the organization and maintenance of the photo archives of the Trust and El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Walter Douglas Portrait and Oral History Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS-15
Abstract

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.

Dates: 1983 - 2002