Casa del Herrero Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Casa del Herrero
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark


Location in California
Location	1387 E. Valley Rd., Montecito, California
Area	10.9 acres (4.4 ha)
Built	1925
Architectural style	Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.	87000002
Added to NRHP	January 29, 1987
Designated NHL	January 16, 2009

Casa del Herrero (which means "House of the Blacksmith" in Spanish) is a special historic house and beautiful garden. It is located in Montecito, a town near Santa Barbara, California. A famous architect named George Washington Smith designed this house. Many people think it is one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the United States.

The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also named a National Historic Landmark on January 16, 2009. Today, the entire 11-acre (about 4.5-hectare) property is a historic house museum and botanical garden. A non-profit group called Casa del Herrero owns and runs it. Their main goal is to keep the house and gardens in great condition for everyone to visit and enjoy.

History of Casa del Herrero
Visiting the House and Gardens
Gallery
Images for kids
See also

History of Casa del Herrero

The "House of the Blacksmith" was built for George Fox Steedman and his wife. They moved to California from St. Louis. Architect George Washington Smith designed their new home. The house was finished in 1925. The Steedmans moved in on the very same day as the Santa Barbara earthquake.

George Steedman was an industrialist, an engineer, and also loved architecture. He brought together many experts to create the Casa del Herrero estate. This team included architects, landscape designers, and garden specialists. Together, they made a perfect example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Mr. Steedman was involved in every single detail. He helped choose everything, from the buildings to the furniture and the gardens. In the 1930s, another architect named Lutah Maria Riggs designed an eight-sided library addition.

Mr. Steedman passed away in 1940. His wife continued to live in the house until she passed away in 1962. Their daughter, Medora Bass, then lived at the Casa until her death in 1987. The organization that now takes care of the estate was started in 1993 by her son.

Visiting the House and Gardens

You can visit the Casa del Herrero house, its gardens, and the blacksmith workshop. These visits are led by guides called docents. You must make a reservation to join a tour. The Casa del Herrero organization offers tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Special private tours can also be arranged.

The beautiful garden areas are also available for photo shoots. Both commercial and non-commercial groups can use them. The address for Casa del Herrero is 1387 East Valley Road, Montecito, CA 93108.