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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
San Antonio Missions National Historical ParkUnusual fresco of a sun with face showing a mustache and goatee, on the ceiling of Mission Concepción's Library
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The legacy and history of San Antonio and this region began with a simple ceremony when...

in 1718 Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five were located along the San Antonio River. The missions’ purpose? To acculturate and Christianize the native population and make them Spanish citizens. Today, visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians and friars. And, possibly, meet descendants of those first inhabitants.


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Book signing for Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid

Storytelling and Book Signing

Join us for a holiday treat! Xavier Garza, Children's Author, Illustrator, and Storyteller will be at the Visitor Center on Saturday, December 5, from 2:00p - 3:30p.
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Family visiting the San Antonio Missions

Family Activities Over the Holidays

While the park will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days, the Park Rangers invite you to spend time with your family over the holidays exploring San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge by completing the free activity book available at each mission. Books from the bookstore make great gifts. Take an easy stroll down the Yanaguana Trail at Mission San Juan or bike the Hike and Bike trail. Join a Ranger at one of the missions on a tour through history.

Much more is awaiting you and your family at your national park. And it is all free!

 
Concepción Church is closed through 2009 for preservation work.

Fresco Preservation at Mission Concepción

The church at Mission Concepción will be closed to visitors through the end of the year for extensive preservation. Detailed work to preserve the historic 1750s frescos has already uncovered a new color - green. Similar frescos can be found in the convento (priest's residence), which remains open daily.

 
Spanish Colonial Art at San Antonio Museum of Art

The Art of the Missions of New Spain

Saturday, October 17, 2009 – Sunday, January 3, 2010
San Antonio Museum of Art

This is the first exhibition to explore the rich artistic legacy of the Franciscan and Jesuit mission churches in northern Mexico and the American Southwest. The National Park Service and Los Compadres are partnering with the San Antonio Museum of Art on joint programming to better interpret and understand the significance of these major artworks. Email for details on the programming that includes symposia, a concert, member tours and an educational workshop.
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Write to

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
2202 Roosevelt Avenue
San Antonio, Texas 78210

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Center
(210) 932-1001

Headquarters
(210) 534-8833

Fax

(210) 534-1106

Climate

From April through October be prepared for hot, humid weather. Wear a hat, use sun screen liberally and often, and drink plenty of water.

In November through March, weather is more temperate, and sometimes chilly.
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Spanish mission vaquero herding cattle.  

Did You Know?
that the first cattle drives originated from the (San Antonio) Spanish missions in Texas? Vaqueros drove hundreds of cattle, sheep, and goats to Louisiana during the American War for Independence to supply American colonists. Spain's real intent was to weaken the British militarily and financially.

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Last Updated: November 23, 2009 at 17:27 EST