Celebrating 30 years of preserving San Antonio’s precious past
San Antonio, Tex. – The five icons that comprise the San
Antonio Missions have been a longtime treasure and testament to the city’s
history and culture. The importance to preserve these Missions was
recognized on a national level in 1978 when the United States Department of
the Interior collaborated with the Archdiocese of San Antonio to establish
the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
On May 17, 2008 the City, joined by the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas members, gathered
together to celebrate the success and accomplishments of the groups that
have collaborated across three decades to make the San Antonio Missions a
commemorative piece of history available to future generations.
The collaboration which now includes Los Compadres, the official friends
group for the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and Old
Spanish Missions, Inc., has successfully preserved more than 43 historic
structures. Additionally, the group has developed the Missions into San
Antonio’s third largest non-commercial tourist attraction with
approximately 1.2 million visitors each year. About half of the annual
visitors participate in programs such as today’s Girl Scouts Junior Ranger
Day at Mission San José. The Girl Scouts Junior Ranger Day at Mission San
José event launched the commemoration ceremonies and is the first of a
series of free youth outreach activities that will continue throughout the
year.
“It is our hope that by increasing the community’s awareness about the
Missions status as National Parks we are able to instill and reinvigorate
our residents’ pride about our national treasure. Our goal is for the
long-term preservation and sustainability of the park so that future
generations are able to reconnect with the rich cultural heritage that is
located on the city’s South Side,” stated Stephen Whitesell, SAAN
Superintendent and future Associate Director of National Park Services for
Lands, Policy and Facilities.
The contribution of the partnering organizations is a continuous and
ever-expanding effort whose future plans include establishing the Spanish
Colonial Demonstration Farm, the development of Rancho de las Cabras near
Floresville, the establishment of a new biking trail from Mission San José
to the Hike and Bike trail by the San Antonio Riverwalk and presenting
exhibits at San Juan Museum.
“Our city’s culture is reflected by its vivacious past and the historical
remnants that are reminders of our rich history,” stated Bexar County
Judge, Nelson Wolff. “For 30 years these groups have worked diligently to
ensure that these traces of history will remain for future generations,
giving San Antonio continued reasons to celebrate.”
Joining Whitesell and Wolff at today’s celebration were Patricia Diaz
Dennis, Chair, National Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of the USA
and Murphy Emmons, Board Chairman for Los Compadres along with numerous
Girl Scouts troop members, their families and friends. Participating Girl
Scouts members earned the San Antonio Missions Tour Patch as well as the
opportunity to become a National Park Service Junior Ranger member and
receive the Junior Ranger badge.
For more information about the National Park Service and San Antonio
Missions National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/saan.. For more
information about the friends group, Los Compadres de San Antonio Missions
National Historical Park, visit www.loscompadres.org.