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We’ll now enter and tour the museum (#2). The entrance is through the gift shop (small fee to enter).
Like many missions, the museum here is between the gift shop and the church. |
One of the outstanding collections at this Mission is the vestment collection. Various vestments are on display at the museum and replaced periodically with others. The detail in the vestments is well worth some time to study them.
Picture taken 1:50pm 3 Apr 2002
| This model of the Mission accurately represents the main Mission quadrangle at its height of activity.
Also on display (in rather tight quarters) are original Mission bells and a wide variety of other artifacts. |
 Picture taken 1:50pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 1:50pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 1:50pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 1:50pm 3 Apr 2002 |
| Be certain to look in the cases along the walls. There is a small but very nice collection of missals and chant books. | |
 Picture taken 1:55pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 1:55pm 3 Apr 2002 |
Since you usually can’t visit the grist mill, spend some time with the model stashed in one of the windows. It’s now called Chapman’s Mill. The model was built in the Summer of 1987. On the left, with a horizontal “Norse” Waterwheel is the Spanish Grist Mill; on the right with a vertical “overshot” waterwheel is a New England Fulling Mill.
Picture taken 1:55pm 3 Apr 2002
| Other items that struck my interest in the museum included the collection of earthenware bowls and jars and the free-standing confessional. |
 Picture taken 1:55pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 1:55pm 3 Apr 2002 |
| One of the museum rooms is set aside for the Madona Chapel. The polychrome wood carving of the Mother of Sorrows (la Soledad) is the centerpiece of the chapel and is quite striking. The overhead crucifix is also an 18th century polychrome Mexican woodcarving. | |
 Picture taken 2:00pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 2:00pm 3 Apr 2002 |
| On the walls to the left and right of the chapel altar are madona paintings of the era. | |
 Picture taken 2:00pm 3 Apr 2002 |
 Picture taken 2:00pm 3 Apr 2002 |
Finally, before entering the main church, take a look around. There are things to find everywhere.
 Picture taken 2:00pm 3 Apr 2002 |
On the floor look down at the tiles. The one with the painted square has a print in it left by the maker of the tile.
On one of the back walls, in an unlighted niche, is a small doll statue from the mission period under glass. And, there’s more to see when you visit. |
 Picture taken 2:00pm 3 Apr 2002 |