Attend a Society Event
Events in the Community
Honoring the Ancestors: Santa Barbara's Traditional Chinese Burial Customs
Santa Barbara Cemetery
901 Channel Drive
May 4, 2024 — 10:30 a.m. PDT
May 4, 2024 — 10:30 a.m. PDT
Did you know there was a Chinese cemetery in Santa Barbara? Join us to learn about Santa Barbara’s early Chinese residents, their funeral practices, and burial history in the Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Eugene Moy, past president of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, will describe Santa Barbara’s Chinese community circa 1860s to 1930. Elaborate Chinese funeral processions, secondary burial practices, along with specific individual histories, will also be discussed.
Author and researcher, David Petry, will talk about the history of the Santa Barbara Cemetery and provide details about the establishment of a Chinese section and the building of structures to accommodate ancient Chinese death rituals.
Cost: Free! Please register to reserve your spot.
Picnic in the Cemetery
Santa Barbara Cemetery
901 Channel Drive
October 4, 2024 — 10:00 a.m. PDT
October 4, 2024 — 10:00 a.m. PDT
*Be prepared to walk on uneven ground with some slight inclines at the cemetery.
More details coming soon!
Picnic in the Cemetery
At this fundraiser, Society members portrayed and recounted the lives of real-life historical figures buried at that particular cemetery, followed by lunch. The actors helped with research, wrote the scripts, and provided costumes and props. Past events were held at the Los Alamos, Carpinteria, Oak Hill (Ballard), and Goleta cemeteries.
Please enjoy the videos from past Picnics which are posted below.
