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San Antonio Missions National Historical ParkFranciscan Brother walking in the ruins of Mission San José's convento
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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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Get Outdoors - It's Yours

Get Outdoors, It's Yours!

Get Outdoors, It’s Yours! is a national campaign focused on getting America’s youth outside and engaged with nature. Local natural, sport, and recreational organizations want to encourage children & their families to spend more time participating in outdoor activities at Mission San José on Saturday, January 10, 2009, from 10am to 2pm. Free
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Información de Español

Traductions -- Traducciones -- Übersetzugen

continuar...

pour continuer...

fortfahren...

 
School and Teacher Workshop Reservations

School and Teacher Workshop Reservations

Contact us to receive information on free Teacher Workshops. Teachers can also make school reservations to visit the park, and download curricula and lesson plans.
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Park News and Press Releases

Latest information on special visitor activities, park information, and National Park Service News.

Get Outdoors - It's Yours Community Activities, Saturday, January 10, 20009, at Mission San José from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free

Archaeological Tours along the San Antonio River Saturdays, October 18 and November 8, 2008, beginning at Espada Aqueduct

El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Activities Friday,Saturday, & Sunday, October 31 - November 2, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

"NPS Centennial Initiative for San Antonio Missions NHP" - New trail linking Park to the Mission Trail selected for matching funds through NPS Centennial Initiative

"America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass" for 2008 (formerly known as the Golden Age, Access, and Eagle Passes).

 (Park Passes are not available at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The closest park where they are available is Padre Island National Seashore.)

 

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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Ruins of a home at Mission Espada  

Did You Know?
that Spanish missions were not churches? They were Indian towns, with the church as the focus, where, in the 1700s, the native people were learning to become Spanish citizens. In order to become a citizen, they had to be Catholic; that is why the King of Spain sent missionaries to acculturate them.

Last Updated: January 05, 2009 at 12:18 EST