Harry Downie Scrapbook

Item

Identifier: MS-28

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This scrapbook contains news clippings and copies of newspaper articles, typed and handwritten notes, brochures, articles, and photographs about the history of the Santa Barbara Presidio and the reconstruction of the Presidio in the 1970s.

Dates

1857 - 1972

Creator

Downie, Harry (Henry John), 1903-1980 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Biographical / Historical

Henry John Downie (1903-1980), a third generation San Franciscan, was a cabinetmaker with a special reputation for the restoration of Spanish antiques. In 1931 he was recruited by Monsignor Philip Scherer, pastor of the Catholic Church in Monterey, to restore some statues at the Carmel Mission but his job quickly expanded to mission restorer. In addition to the exterior and interior restoration of Mission Carmel, Downie was consulted on and helped restore many of the missions that are today considered the most authentic including San Luis Obispo, San Juan Bautista and San Buenaventura. He also assisted the Native Daughters of the Golden West in the rebuilding of Mission Soledad. Downie was known for his meticulous research and his use of original Spanish sources to help guide him in his restoration work.