Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, originally the Blaksley Botanic Garden, was founded in 1926 by Anna Dorinda Blaksley Bliss as a memorial to her father, Mr. Henry Blaksley. She donated 13 acres in Mission Canyon administered by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Dr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Bissell, the garden's first directors, served from 1926-1936. Maunsell Van Rensselaer was hired as the second director (1936-1950). Under his leadership, in 1939 the garden was given its new name and an independent existence from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Katherine K. Muller, the third director (1950-1973), began a study of the flora of the California Channel Islands in 1958. This continuing research has resulted in the publication of several island checklists and floras. Ralph Philbrick, fourth garden director (1974-1987), published a flora of Santa Barbara Island.

Directors of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden:

• Dr. and Mrs. Elmer J. Bissell (1926-1936)
• Maunsell Van Rensselaer (1936-1950)
• Katherine K. Muller (1950-1973)
• David Young (1988-1991)
• Edward L. Schneider (1992-2010)
• Steve Windhager (2010-current)

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden now covers 65 acres.