SITE HISTORY

1822-24

Built between 1822-1824, the adobe building at 144 School Street is the only remaining building left of Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. The oldest building in Santa Cruz County, the adobe was originally constructed as a 17-room building and was used to house Native workers and their families at the mission. Later, it was occupied by the Rodriguez and Armas families and the Neary family. Cornelia Hopcroft, a Rodriguez decedent, lived in the building until 1983!

In the 1980s, the site underwent extensive research, archaeological excavation and restoration. In October 1991, the restored building and site were formally dedicated and opened as the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. The park and museum interprets the story of the mission through the lens of the Ohlone and Yokuts peoples.

Today the State Park is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but donations accepted.

Restoration

The advocacy for and restoration of the historic adobe, now known as the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, is a tale of advocacy, community collaboration and detailed historic research-all combined to bring you the State Park you see today.*

 Built between 1822-1824 and the oldest building in Santa Cruz County, the adobe was originally constructed as a 17-room building and was used to house Native workers and their families at the mission.  Later, it was occupied by the Rodriguez and Armas families and the Neary family.  Cornelia Hopcroft, a Rodriguez decedent, lived in the building until 1983!

 Initial research began in the 1970s but not until 1980 that a group formed, the Adobe Coalition, which advocated for the restoration back to a mission-era building to highlight the story of the indigenous peoples at Mission Santa Cruz.  The Adobe Coalition was spearheaded by Edna Kimbro but included other community members such as Doni Tunheim, Micki Ryan, Daryl Allen, Barney and Pat Levy.  Were you part of the Adobe Coalition? Let us know in the comments.  True to the goal of the Adobe Coalition, the museum now interprets the story of the mission through the lens of the Ohlone and Yokuts peoples.

In the 1980s, the site underwent extensive research and archaeological excavation by State Parks and was later restored by architect Gil Sanchez. In October 1991, the restored building and site were formally dedicated and opened as the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park.

*This content is condensed from an article in the Museum of Art and History, Journal #9 article, How Grassroots Community Activism Changed History at the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park by  Bonny Hawley, Jessica Kusz and Peg Danielson.