Experience the Rich History of the Santa Ynez Valley
Located just 3 miles from Solvang, our museum is a must-visit destination for anyone eager to explore the rich Western heritage of California. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of Western culture, or simply looking for a unique experience in the Santa Ynez Valley, you’ll find something to captivate you here.
Step inside the Parks-Janeway Carriage House, home to an impressive collection of historical artifacts, memorabilia, and carriages that tell the story of the region’s past. Explore the diverse exhibits and discover the people, traditions, and events that shaped the valley and beyond.
We take great pride in our museum and love sharing it with visitors of all ages. Explore at your own pace or enhance your visit with a guided tour led by our friendly and knowledgeable docents. They’ll walk you through the exhibits, provide insights, and bring history to life in an engaging and memorable way.
Educational Tours & Group Visits
We offer guided tours by appointment for community groups, schools, clubs, and more. To schedule a tour, inquire about facility use, or learn about suggested donations, please call 805-688-7889.
Educational Tour Forms
School Field Trip Reservation Form
Educational Program Options
FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum offers a variety of exciting educational programs for your students. We work with educators to adapt our tours to focus on their specific curriculum needs and goals.
Special exhibits include the Yosemite Stagecoach and a film produced by John Copeland, a local filmmaker and SYVHM Board member.
As part of your tour, your class can visit the historic Santa Ynez Library, established in 1912.
Students can participate in arts and crafts projects such as making their own baskets or building models of a covered wagon.
Classes may picnic in the Museum Courtyard or a nearby park, weather permitting. Indoor dining is available at restaurants located in Santa Ynez.
For more information, contact Theresa Reilly, Curator of Education. Financial assistance is available towards bus costs. Call (805) 688-7889 for details.
Download our 2019-20 School Program Brochure
2025 Student Art Showcase
Third-grade students from Christian Academy
In January 2025, third-grade students from Christian Academy, led by Teacher Donna Davidson, had the opportunity to visit a museum, where they explored the inspiring Channing Peake exhibit. The exhibit sparked their creativity, and the students went on to create their own artwork, which will be proudly displayed at the UCSB McEnroe Reading Clinic.
Student Testimonials
Sample Education Tour Topics
Designed for State of California Standards-Based Curriculum
2nd Grade:
Farm to Table
Valley Room and Farm Annex
Students explore the interdependence between natural systems, human population, and food production, comparing past and present farming methods and ways of life.
3rd Grade:
California Indian People: Exploring Tribal Regions
Native American Room and Courtyard
Students learn about how the local ecosystem provides goods and natural systems essential to human life, adaptation over time, and the changing California landscape.
4th Grade:
Cultivating California
Native American Room and West Room
Students explore the social, and economic life, land use, and interactions among people of California from the pre-Columbian hunter-gatherer societies to the agricultural economy of the Spanish Mission and Mexican Rancho periods.
5th Grade:
Nature and Newcomers
Carriage House and Valley Room
Students uncover connections between the natural environment and the ways that human beings attempt to influence the natural world by looking at modes of transportation during the westward expansion and how they adapt to environmental factors.