Past Exhibits

Grover Barnes, a Texas native, came to Santa Barbara over 62 years ago. In 1942 he was hired by the Miramar Hotel as a porter and one year later was the first African American promoted to Bell Captain where he served for thirty-five years. It has been said that Grover Barnes is an inimitable part of history of the city of Montecito. His level of service is remembered by generations of guest. He was known for his warm hospitality to the young and old, the rich and famous, and the not so rich and famous.

In 2001, Grover Barnes was voted as a Local Hero in Santa Barbara and affectionately called "The Ambassador of Hospitality." He has been intensely involved in many community organizations including: the NAACP Santa Barbara Chapter, the Brotherhood of Santa Barbara, the Mason Lodge, the East side Study Group and the George Washington Carver Scholarship Society.