The Mission has been saved for the next three years from closure!
But to keep it open we need your help. Your contributions matter more now than ever. Click Here to Visit Our Donation Page, and be sure to ‘direct your donation’ to the Mission.
CLICK HERE to Download the official ‘Save the Mission’ Fact Sheet.
The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is home to the oldest building in Santa Cruz County. Built between 1822 and 1824 by local Ohlonean and Yokuts Indians, the park’s signature adobe is the only remaining structure from Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. One of just four adobe buildings left in Santa Cruz County—and sometimes confused with the nearby replica mission chapel—it is the only building of its kind preserved as a museum in the State of California.
The adobe served as housing for Neophyte families who lived and worked at the Mission, which operated until 1834 when it was secularized. After decades of private ownership, the adobe was sold to the State of California, extensively restored and finally opened in 1991 to the public as the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.
Today, the park is supported by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, a non-profit state park partner dedicated to sustaining the legacy of our state parks and beaches. Friends funds the committed state park staff who conduct free educational programs including tours, junior rangers, campfire programs and educational programs for approximately 2,800 school children annually. Friends also operates the Mission ParkStore to benefit the park.
The park is one of the 70 state parks and beaches slated for closure in
2012. Friends is passionately dedicated to saving the park from closure and maintaining its many benefits, including historic preservation, heritage education and tourism promotion.
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Currently Funds:
State Park Interpretive Staff, who provide all programs including:
- Mission Day Field Trips for thousands of 3rd and 4th graders
- Mission Campfires
- Junior Rangers
- Interpretive Special Events
- All material support for field trip activities, including crafting adobe bricks, candles and tortillas
- UCSC Work-Study Student Staff
- The Mission Park Store
To keep the park open, Friends will need to fund all expenses,including the park ranger and maintenance staff. You can help by making a donation to Friends.
Click Here to Learn More About the Santa Cruz Mission Historic Park