Susan & Palmer Jackson, Jr. Chair Capital Campaign for Casa del Herrero
Susan and Palmer Jackson, Jr. of the Ann Jackson Family Foundation have announced they are the co-chairs of Casa del Herrero’s $18 million capital campaign.
The capital campaign, titled, “Preserving our Past, Protecting Our Future,” is the first comprehensive capital campaign in the 30-year history of Casa del Herrero as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. In speaking with the Jacksons this week, they stated:
“We are thrilled to co-chair the Casa Del Herrero’s first ever Capital Campaign. As long-time supporters of this important piece of Montecito and Santa Barbara history, we are particularly enthusiastic about the current volunteer leadership, and impressed by the great progress they have made in restoring the Casa, and their plans to prepare it for the next century.”
In responding to the Jackson Family’s involvement and funding, Heather Biles, President, Board of Trustees Casa del Herrero shared,“I am deeply inspired by the remarkable momentum of the Casa’s capital campaign, the generosity of our supporters and their unwavering belief in our ambitious goals. We had a soft launch in December 2023, with the Ann Jackson Family Foundation leading the way with a gift of $1 million. With each milestone achieved, we both safeguard the future of Casa del Herrero and uphold its profound legacy for our community. This leadership gift from the Ann Jackson Family Foundation is a testament to the enduring spirit of generosity and dedication that surrounds the Casa.”
The Jackson family history with Casa del Herrero dates to Joan Jackson’s friendship with the George Fox Steedman family, joining them for dinners at the Casa. In 1993, she worked with their grandson George Steedman Bass to establish his family’s 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival estate – designed by George Washington Smith – as the Casa del Herrero Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. According to the organization’s historic documents, Joan corresponded with Steedman Bass, asking that he grant her three to six months to gather philanthropic support for it to become a foundation, to which he agreed. She also helped to establish – in January 2009 – the gardens on the estate as a National Historic Landmark with the National Register of Historic Places. Joan was instrumental in making Casa del Herrero a local organization in local hands, and a community asset. For the Casa del Herrero Foundation, she and her daughter-in-law Susan served as Board of Trustees Presidents, and Bill Jackson served as Board of Trustees Treasurer.
As chairs of the campaign, the Jacksons are working closely with the Capital Campaign Committee on both strategy and achievement goals. The Capital Campaign Committee members are Marc Appleton, award-winning architect and author of the book, Casa del Herrero (Rizzoli, 2009); Sharon Bradford former Board of Trustees member and husband David Bradford; Carol Linn, Board ofTrustees Development Chairand husband Michael Linn; Mari McAlister, Board ofTrustees Secretary and her husband Patrick McAlister, President of the Harold McAlister Charitable Foundation; and most honorably,George Steedman Bass, the grandson of George Fox Steedman, in memoriam.
Supporting the Capital Campaign in house are Trustee President Heather Biles, Board of Trustees Treasurer Gary Bradhering, Executive Director Rosie Rafferty, Development Director Andrew Doran,and Marketing and Special Events Director Edwin Rodriguez, Jr.
With the official launch announced by way of this news report, I met with the Jacksons and the capital campaign committee for the details:
Q. What is the mission of the capital campaign?
A. Casa del Herrero has played a vital role in the development and life of Santa Barbara. As we build to our 100th Anniversary in 2025, it has been a great honor and pleasure to develop our “Preserving Our Past, Protecting Our Future” capital campaign with our team, and collaborating with both Susan and Palmer. The story, mission, and vision of the Casa… to be a thriving, vital part of the community, with engaging programming… is all built on providing for the sustainability and security of the Casa itself. This campaign, and the generous support we have already received, will allow us to realize this vision and guarantee the Casa is a treasured and enduring part of the community for the next 100 years.
Where is the funding earmarked?
The Capital Campaign is comprised of two focus areas:
– The restoration, renovation, and conservation of the Casa del Herrero campus, including capital improvements to the Casa, as well as all outbuildings, including the Steedman Workshop, greenhouse complexes, and original family cottages. Additionally, the campaign is focused on curatorial preservation of the collections, including paintings, tapestries, furniture, art, books, and the George Washington Smith/George Fox Steedman archives of drawings, correspondence, and plans.
– The growth of the Casa Endowment – first established in 1993 to provide for the sustainability and security of Casa del Herrero for the next 100 years – ensures the Casa can continue its mission, programming, and community impact. A key element of this is returning to the original wishes and goals set forth by Medora Steedman Bass, the last family member to reside in the Casa. We are continuing our monthly book club and film series, expanding our educational outreach programs, introducing a new speaker’s series on national and global issues, reinvigorating engagement with Mr. Steedman’s passions of both silversmithing and winemaking, and expanding upon the family’s desire to see the grounds and gardens utilized for horticulture and plant management.
What are the upcoming funding events?
The public is invited to all the upcoming events held on a monthly basis at the Casa; its book club, movies, sound baths, dinners, wine making, and soon to be announced quarterly events highlighting the capital campaign. We are planning our Centennial Gala for 2025.
