Museum

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The museum for the Mission is a few rooms gotten to through the gift shop. The gift shop is entered through a small door almost hidden at the front of the church just at the top of the stairs from the plaza. Watch your step going in; the door is narrow and there are steps going down.

The museum starts with the Chumash and moves forward in time. The room with the Indian displays has various paintings on the walls representing Indian art and various aspects of Indian life.

Picture taken 2:05pm 8 Jul 2001

Picture taken 2:05pm 8 Jul 2001

Reeds
Picture taken
1:55pm
8 Jul 2001

Mission construction is highlighted throughout the museum displays. On the left is a display showing the tule reeds used to build the original roof for the Mission. Below the reeds are some painted roof tiles that replaced the reeds and protected the Mission from flaming arrows (see history for more info ). On the right is a display that shows the original Mission doors. There is a double set of large doors with a smaller inset door for regular access. This is a common design for churches even today.

Side Note: Reeds similar to the ones used for original roofing are growing in the stream in front of the Mission.

Reeds used to make roofs
Picture taken 3:00pm 8 Jul 2001

Mission door
Picture taken
1:50pm 8 Jul 2001

Much of the original Mission has been lost to history. Below is a representation of what some of the original items in the church might have looked like. The tabernacle is original and the bells and clapper (used during Lent instead of the bells) date to the early mission era.

Picture taken 1:55pm 8 Jul 2001
Picture taken 1:55pm 8 Jul 2001	Picture taken 1:55pm 8 Jul 2001

A display of early vestments is also seen in the museum.

Picture taken 1:55pm 8 Jul 2001

Other museum displays show how the padres lived. This one shows a bed (in somewhat more like the condition it was found instead of restored as you'll see at other mission museums).

Padre bed
Picture taken 2:05pm 8 Jul 2001

A feature of this museum is their display of more recent history. Below is a picture of the mission as it looked after the 1934 restoration along with a picture of a display showing how the dining room in the priest's quarters might have looked in the 1920s.

Restoration picture
Picture taken 1:55pm 8 Jul 2001

1900s Dining Room
Picture taken 1:50pm 8 Jul 2001

Now that you've seen the museum, let's go into the church...

Navigation for Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa:

Mission Home :: History :: Map :: Plaza :: Museum :: Church :: Garden :: Fiestas :: Santa Margarita Asistencia