New Mission Exhibit Highlights Notable Guests Over 100 Years

Mission San Juan Capistrano presents its newest exhibit, “Mission Treasures: Join Our Guestbook,” a comprehensive display of their most notable visitors over 100 years. “From Padres to Presidents” to “Gangsters to Artists,” the exhibit opened earlier this month in the Mission’s West Wing showcasing historic objects, art, and a series of original 20th century guest books featuring notable guests such as Al Capone and Richard Nixon.

“There is always something new to learn about the Mission and our newest collection hopefully inspires people to explore and see up close evidence of those who visited before us along with unique objects that represent the passage of time. I was thrilled to learn of the historical visits and awed to see our Hollywood connections in our guest books from nearly 100 years ago,” said Mission San Juan Capistrano Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams.

Among the display is a series of original 20th century guest book entries that record visitors to the Mission between 1913-1934. Lawrence Adams explains that the objects and stories in the exhibition are authentic reflections of Mission San Juan Capistrano’s rich history of more than 245 years which continues to serves as a place of inspiration, faith and community.

“The Mission Treasures: Join Our Guestbook” exhibit is considered a renovation of the Mission’s permanent exhibit “Mission Treasures: Historical Collection Revealed” which opened in May 2011. The objects and entries will be rotated occasionally to showcase the expansive collection.

The exhibit is free for Mission members or with paid admission to the Mission. Guests are encouraged to make their own mark in history by adding their signature to the guestbook.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Old Mission Road in San Juan Capistrano. For more information, visit https://www.missionsjc.com/.

About Mission San Juan Capistrano: Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that features permanent exhibits with original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits. Orange County’s only Mission, the site is home to Serra Chapel, The Great Stone Church and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing and promotes faith, education, preservation and cultural event programming.

Founded on November 1, 1776, by Saint Junipero Serra as the seventh of 21 California missions established by Spain, Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and receives no church or state funding. The Mission Preservation Foundation, comprised of business and community leaders, is its fundraising entity committed to ensuring education, preservation and its long-term historic and religious significance.

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