SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) is pleased to announce that its exhibit, “Manongs on the Central Coast: Forming Communities Across Generations,” will be on view at the Grossman Gallery in the Lompoc Public Library throughout the month of April.
Exhibit Dates: Through April 30, 2026
Location: Grossman Gallery, Lompoc Public Library
501 E North Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
Hours:
• Monday–Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Friday & Saturday: 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
This compelling exhibit explores the history and lived experiences of Filipino Americans on California’s Central Coast. Through photographs, oral histories, family documents, and multigenerational narratives, the exhibit highlights the contributions and resilience of the Manong generation—Filipino men who immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century and helped shape the region’s agricultural, hospitality, and retail industries.
SBTHP originally premiered the exhibit with an opening program on August 25th featuring a panel of contributors moderated by Dez Alaniz, Director of the Presidio Research Center at SBTHP, and Shannon Toribio, Ph.D. student in UCSB’s Religious Studies Department.
“This exhibit builds on the oral histories and materials that have been donated by trusting and generous community members, many of whom are descendants of the Manong generation,” said Alaniz. Toribio added, “This is a story of how the Manongs made a place for themselves on California’s Central Coast where they built lasting communities amidst persistent discrimination. The achievements and contributions of the Filipino community included in this exhibit are testament to their strength and resiliency.”
Community member and exhibit contributor Manuel Crisostomo remarked, “The war that created them as colonial subjects, their collective struggles, collective triumphs, and their collective contributions to the building of this country have yet to be more fully told in the public sphere. The existence of this exhibit is a wonderful step in the right direction.”
Special Lecture in Lompoc: Bing Aradanas — April 3
Join scholar and community member Bing Aradanas for a presentation titled, “Filipinos’ Contributions to Once Making Lompoc the ‘Flower Capital of the World’ (and other forgotten history)” in support of the exhibit. Friday, April 3, 2026 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Lompoc Public Library, Grossman Gallery
The exhibit will be open for viewing beginning at 5:00 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Aradanas is a significant contributor to the “Manongs on the Central Coast” exhibit and has an extensive history of developing and supporting projects centered on Filipino American history, Philippine heritage, and Indigenous Philippine cultures. His work includes multiple exhibitions, public presentations, and eleven years as an adjunct professor in the Ethnic Studies and Social Sciences Departments at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
SBTHP recently received a grant from the state aimed at preventing hate crimes. This program, administered by the California Department of Social Services in partnership with the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, is part of ongoing efforts in California to provide direct support for communities impacted by hate incidents and support victims.
ABOUT THE SANTA BARBARA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Founded in 1963 by Dr. Pearl Chase, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) stewards the past and present of the Presidio Neighborhood and inspires preservation advocacy throughout the County in order to create a more vibrant community. SBTHP operates El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, Santa Barbara’s 18th century birthplace, under an agreement with California State Parks. In addition to portions of the Spanish fort, El Presidio SHP includes the Alhecama Theatre (1925) and the campus of the Santa Barbara School of the Arts, and Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens (1947) the last visible connection to Santa Barbara’s Chinatown. The organization also operates Casa de la Guerra, the 1820’s adobe home of Presidio Comandante José de la Guerra, and the Santa Inés Mission Mills near Solvang, CA. SBTHP produces dozens of community and school programs throughout the year to provide access to these special historic places. SBTHP is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; learn more at sbthp.org