Originally Posted By Lisann22 I apolgize if I come across negative or bitter. I'm very proud of my heritage there and San Juan Bautista is beautiful. I want to feel proud and apart of it, it's my family's history.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 In 1964 (pretty sure of the year) we went to the Mission in Sonoma and then to General Vallejos home. To this day I remember being totally creeped out by the pictures of Vallejos daughters with their hair down to the floor There is also a Mission in San Rafael (DD did her report on that one and for the life of me I can't remember the name) and it is very close to the downtown exit to San Rafel off 101.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 ^^ Mission San Rafael Arcangel. I recommend reading this book if you are into California mission history. Life In A California Mission, The Journal of Jean Francois de La Perouse. Monterey 1786
Originally Posted By RangerPooh I am partial to Mission San Juan Bautista, as I use to work for the Ca State Park as an interpretive guide (FYI, the mission and the park are two separate entities when it comes to fees). The mission and state park have been used in a few movies the most notable Vertigo, and yes, the tower was slightly different. I was asked that question on a few occassions. As an interpretor I will say that the information that we presented was not always the most accurate picture of how life at the missons really were, but when you're presenting to 4th grade students you ahve to be careful as to what you say as the history books/teachers aren't always that accurate either. Anyways, the mission is beautiful. If you want to avoid endless throngs of 4th grade students on fieldtrips go on a Saturday morning! If they still do it the 1st Saturday of each month there is a small living history "display" with volunteers. And in June there is Early Days (can't think of the actual name) where a ton of volunteers are presnet in historical clothing giving presnetations everywhere! It's really neat. Plus there are all the buidlings to tour at the state park that date bakc to important dates in Ca history. Ie: The Castro-Breen Adobe, The Plaza Hall (aka Zanetta House), and the Plaza Hotel all have historical significance in the area. The mission is located about 7 miles from HWY 101, just follow the signs. I would also suggest Mission Carmel. As I recall it was nice. Santa Cruz is small but ok. San Luis Obsipo is nice and is still used for church services like many of the others. Mission San Jose in Fremont is nice too. Mission San MIguel is right off 101 and if it's the one that I'm thinking of doesn't appear to be in too great of shape. But then it's OLD and has been through a lot.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 <<<As an interpretor I will say that the information that we presented was not always the most accurate picture of how life at the missons really were, but when you're presenting to 4th grade students you ahve to be careful as to what you say as the history books/teachers aren't always that accurate either.>>> Absolutely, I'm not advocating scaring or giving brutal details of the treatment of the Indians, just a bit more truth to what happen and what went wrong. Also, the displays are either lacking or very poorly done with regard to our cultural there. I wonder if we've met RangerPooh? How long ago did you work with the State Park. We've always had a great relationship with the Park there. The display panels inside the Hotel are very well done. ;>
Originally Posted By Lisann22 FYI the DeAnza building on third street is where my great great grandpa was born. My family lived in those building for nearly 30 years. You are correct it's called Early Days in San Juan. I believe this year it's on June 17th. <a href="http://sjbca.com/events.html" target="_blank">http://sjbca.com/events.html</a>
Originally Posted By wonderingalice <<Edison Elementary Eagle here from 1970-1975. Our 4th grade class didn't do a field trip to a mission that I can remember, but we did re-create mission life in class as well as gold mining.>> We moved from Torrance in July 1969, but I would have gone to Torrance High (the "Beverly Hills 90210" exterior ;-). The "Greenwood" part of Fern-Greenwood was actually middle school back then, but I understand that they've since re-done it as a recreation center. I'm due for a visit. And for the folks that built scale model missions... My dad helped me build one - I do believe it was fourth grade - out of cardboard, water/flour "stucco" and paint. It was quite elaborate for a young child. But that was my dad! *LOL* In second grade, I was the only kid who's science project consisted of two real, mounted telephones that the kids could actually use to talk to each other! Hahahahaha! The next year, "we" built an electronic True or False board that made such statements as "Robert Fulton invented the steamship"... If you stuck an alligator-style clip into the "False" slot, it BUZZED and gave you a redlight! If you answered "True," a bell rang and gave you a greenlight! I think there were three or four questions built into it. I always got "A"s on this stuff... Didn't the teachers KNOW I didn't do the work?? *LMAO* Anyway... Sorry to get off-track. ;-)
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF >>The mission and state park have been used in a few movies the most notable Vertigo, and yes, the tower was slightly different. I was asked that question on a few occassions.<< Yep, the shots of the tower itself from which Kim Novak's character fell was a matte painting. The actual interior was, of course, a set.
Originally Posted By velo when each of my kids went thru 4th grade, I've made a visit to San Juan a must. (one more kid to go!). Not only is the historical park very, very interesting, the mission itself lends many opportunities to teach. I particularly like that the actual original "highway" (from mission to mission) can be seen at this mission. Also worthwhile, for those with 4th graders, is a visit to Monterey and the Custom House.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ ^ My son's 4th grade class had an overnight field trip to Monterey for their Mission/CA History unit.
Originally Posted By xrayvision My top 3 favorite missions to visit: 1) San Juan Baptista - One of the larger missions. 2) San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo in Carmel CA (small but very pretty - this is where my dad proposed to my mom ). 3)San Juan Capistrano - during the return of the swallows.
Originally Posted By RangerPooh Lisann22- I worked there from the winter of 2002 through the summer of 2003. I left to return to school. I really enjoyed the job as it was very informative and historical. The entire property is really neat. I esp. like tyhe history of all the buidlings. I forgot about the El Camino Real being right at the end of the property.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I bet we ran into eachother a time or two. ;> I wasn't as involved in the area then as I am now. We'd do the festivals and things. I'm also not a part of the "regulars Indians" that used to be down in that area.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I have a rotton memory, so I have no idea what Mission I visited back in the fourth grade. I grew up in San Mateo, so it had to be somewhere near to there. All I recall was the grostesquely graphic images of Jesus on the cross.
Originally Posted By Ursula Say, anyone remember the Mission vignettes at Knott's Berry Farm? I loved those. They had a light you could turn on to see the little people inside. I digress. My most recent Mission visit was to the one just within walking distance of Solvang, CA. It was so beautiful and accessable.
Originally Posted By Stacers76 Thanks for all the input everyone! It's definitely helping us plan our way down south. Hope all is well for everyone!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 If anyone on LP is in the San Juan Bautista area and would like a tour of the mission and park from a different perspective than what is provided at the facilities - just email. If we can arrange to meet up, I'd gladly give you a historical walk through.
