Artifact of the Month: Mission Inventories (1791-1834)

In celebration of Mission San Juan Capistrano's 250th anniversary on November 1, 2026, the Mission Preservation Foundation is hosting a yearlong "Artifact of the Month" program. This event highlights the Mission's rich history and enduring legacy, featuring a rotating display of significant artifacts from its archives, some of which are rarely seen by the public. Each month from January to December 2026, a different artifact will be showcased, including a 1924 painting of Mary Pickford, the historic 1865 Lincoln Document, a 19th-century confessional booth, and more, each illuminating the Mission's role in California's history.

Additionally, the exhibition "Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making," developed by the California Historical Society, will tour through Exhibit Envoy, supported by San Francisco Grants for the Arts and the Yerba Buena Community Benefit District. Together, these events offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of history, tradition, and cultural identity within the context of Californian heritage throughout 2026 and beyond.