FHSAM and Mission San Antonio Projects
The FHSAM is working to assist Mission San Antonio with its ongoing efforts to educate the public. Recently FHSAM built a replica of a horno oven used during the mission period for baking. The horno is located in the old orchard on the east side of the church. FHSAM is also in the process of building a replica carretta (ox cart), to complement the remains of an historical carretta that can still be found on the mission grounds.
Campaign for the Preservation of Mission San Antonio de Padua
The Campaign has worked tirelessly to raise funds for the seismic retrofit of the Mission, as well as the improvement of the retreat center and other parts of the Mission compound. The final phases of this project invoolve the Museum, Pavillion, and ongoing maintenance funds..
Mission Garden
Mission San Antonio has redesigned the Mission Garden. Originally the courtyard was mostly a work area, and a place to keep the horses of the overnight visitors during the Mission Period. In the 1950s and 1960s it was converted to a rose garden. The garden now is landscaped with native plants, with an artificial creekbed to symbolize the River of Life, a common symbol of the missions.
Mission Museum Retrofit and Redesign
Mission San Antonio's Museum contains priceless artifacts, including the original winery, a music book written by Padre Juan Sancho, an impressive collection of baskets, including two Salinan baskets made by Perfecta Encinales, a blanket made during the Mission period by Dona Nacha, and many more treasures. During the seismic retrofit the museum was temporarily closed. In 2018 the museum was revamped and re-opened, with the first room dedicated to the Salinan people. Many members of FHSAM assisted with the re-opening of the museum. Still, although improvement were made, many more improvements are needed.
Carreta
The Carreta has been completed by Board Members John Grafton and Joe Claus. It is now located in the Mission Garden. Click on the photo, left, to see a video about it!
Horno
The Horno has been constructed by Board Member John Grafton. It is now located east of the Church in the area once occupied by the Mission Orchard.
Nichos - new project!
The FHSAM is in the planning stages of installing educational text and graphics, to be displayed in traditional-style nichos, at strategic places on the mission walking tour. They will be similar to the example shown to the left. This example is currently in use at Mission San Juan Bautista.
Educational Brochures
The FHSAM has been actively producing educational brochures on various aspects of the Mission grounds and history. See the Publications Page at https://www.fhsam.org/home/publications/ for our recent brochures.
Other Organizations and Projects
There are a lot of projects and events going on in southern Monterey County that are centered around historic preservation. See below for information on different undertakings, including the Nacitone Museum, San Antonio Valley Historical Association, archaeological studies, artifact analysis, and Mission San Miguel.
Mission San Miguel
Mission San Miguel, founded in 1797 by Padres Fermin de Lasuen and Buenaventura Sitjar. By 1806 there were over 1,000 Salinans living there.
In 2003 there was extensive earthquake damage. Much of that damage has been repaired and extensive seismic retroffiting has been completed, funded by the "Saving the Irreplaceable" Campaign.
Nacitone Museum
The Nacitone Museum, funded by the Nacitone Fouundation, is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the San Antonio and Nacimiento Watersheds.
The Museum was dedicated in 2016, and it displays historical artifacts from the earliest Salinan inhabitants through the Spanish, Mexican and American pioneer periods.
SAVHA
The San Antonio Valley Historical Association (SAVHA) is dedicated to preserving the history of the San Antonio Valley. Its projects have included maintaining an archive of historical photos and documents, as well as working to preserve the historic Tidball Store. Recently SAVHA assisted Monterey County in the cleanup of the ruin of the Dutton Hotel, an adobe structure dating to the mid 1800s.
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