In a few years, La Purisima once again became a thriving THE MISSION STORY community with approximately 800 Chumash Indian EXPLORE The 11th of the 21 Franciscan Missions established Neophytes (converts) living on Mission land. At times HISTORY & HERITAGE LA PURISIMA in California, Misión la Purisima Concepción de Maria over 20,000 cattle and sheep roamed the hills along with Santísima (Mission of the of hundreds of horses, mules, burros and other livestock. The Open Year Round Most Holy Mary) was founded by Father Presidente padres developed shops for weaving, pottery, leatherwork La Purisima Mission is open daily* from 9 AM to 5 PM for Fermín de Lasuén on December 8, 1787. and other crafts in addition to organizing the religious self-guided tours, hiking and exploring. The Visitor Center MISSION activities for the settlement. is a great place to start your journey (open 10 AM to 4 PM, STATE HISTORIC PARK During the Mission’s early years, over 1,500 Chumash Tuesdays - Sundays and holiday Mondays). The Gift Shop Indians were baptized into the at La 1834 marked the end of the California mission era when (open 12 to 4 PM) offers souvenirs and hand-crafted items. Purisima, making them new citizens of Spain. Large the Mexican government took away control of the missions Admission is $6 per vehicle/$5 per senior vehicle. from the Catholic Church and gave it to civil authorities. La and small adobe buildings were built, a water system *Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. developed, crops and livestock were raised, and La Purisima subsequently changed hands and uses a number of Purisima grew and prospered. times by the end of the 19th century. Guided Tours Guided tours of the buildings and grounds are offered When the property was given to public ownership by Union On December 21, 1812, however, a major earthquake Wednesdays - Sundays and on holiday Mondays. Meet destroyed many of the Mission buildings. Aftershocks Oil Company in 1933, the Mission was in ruins. Preservation at 1 PM at the Visitor Center for the 1.5 hour, 1 mile and drenching rains damaged La Purisima beyond and reconstruction of the complex began in 1934, and walking tour. Groups of 10 or more are asked to book

repair. The following year, the Mission community lasted seven years under the Civilian Conservation Corps. two weeks in advance by calling (805) 733-3713. was relocated four miles to a site with a better water Buildings and grounds were painstakingly restored and supply and climate, and safer access to El Camino Real, furnished to appear as they had in 1820. Hiking Trails California’s main travel route. La Purisima is the Today, La Purisima stands as the most extensively restored only California Mission in all of California with ten reconstructed buildings, mission with hiking furnished rooms, mission gardens, and livestock to represent trails, featuring life at the Mission during the 1820s. The nearly 2,000 acre more than 25 miles historic state park is also home to 25 miles of hiking trails of trails to explore. and a modern Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall. LA PURISIMA Trail maps are MISSION available at the LOMPOC Entrance Station, Visitor Center and Gift Shop.

Photos by: J. Aguilar Perez LA PURISIMA MISSION STATE HISTORIC PARK 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 733-3713 – Office (805) 735-5185 – Visitor Center (805) 736-3605 – Gift Shop lapurisimamission.org STEP BACK IN TIME

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COME VISIT… LET HISTORY SURROUND YOU Photo by: J. Aguilar Perez 2019 2019 EVENTS CALENDAR

March Traditional Mission Life Day LIVING HISTORY Mountain Men Encampment SPECIAL EVENTS 16th 11 AM to 2 PM March 30 | August 23 & 24 EVENTS Buckskin clad members of the American Archaeology Day March Mountain Men Encampment Mountain Men share mountain men history October 19 30th 10 AM to 4 PM During the Mission Life Day Event Series (below), and skills such as cooking, hide preparation Get your hands dirty sifting sand to find hidden clues to the costumed docents and staff offer an exciting opportunity past at our dig site, carve your own soapstone bead, and and tanning, leather working, rope making April Natural History Day to experience early mission life back in the 1820s with and blacksmithing. Equipment will be see flint knapping demonstrations. special demonstrations and activities. 6th 10 AM to 2 PM on display and tall tales will surround Candlelight Tours the campfire. Traditional Mission Life Day TBA May Sheep Shear Mission Life Day Escorted by candlelight, guests travel back in time to the 4th 11 AM to 2 PM March 16 1820s on a walking tour, moving from scene to scene Join costumed docents and staff for demonstrations enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the evening and activities that may include tortilla making, candle at La Purisima Mission. July Children’s Mission Life Day making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery, 20th 11 AM to 2 PM and blacksmithing. Founding Day Remembrance December 8 Founding Day recognizes the day La Purisima Mission was August Mountain Men Encampment Sheep Shear Mission Life Day founded on December 8, 1787 which is the Feast Day of 23rd/24th 10 AM to 4 PM May 4 the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Mass is held at noon Watch the Mission sheep get their annual shear and in the historic church, followed by a special concert by August Village Days learn about wool production during mission times with candlelight in the evening. 24th 11 AM to 2 PM engaging activities for the entire family. Las Posadas September Children’s Mission Life Day December 15 Harvest Mission Life Day Natural History Day Based on a tradition that goes back over 400 years in 14th 11 AM to 2 PM July 20 , Las Posadas re-enacts the journey of Mary April 6 Unplug your gadgets, and bring your kids to experience and Joseph as they travel from inn to inn on their way Mission life the old-fashioned way with special hands-on, Explore the colors and critters of spring with our Park to Bethlehem. Join costumed docents as they lead the TBA Candlelight Tour kid-friendly activities for all ages. Rangers at La Purisima. Learn about the park’s wild procession through the Mission. TBA 6 PM to 9 PM inhabitants at the Mammal and Bird station, check out our Scales and Tales Reptile Encounter, and hit the October Archaeology Day Harvest Mission Life Day trail for a wildflower/wildlife hike. For all ages! September 14 SCHOOL PROGRAMS 19th 11 AM to 2 PM Come stomp grapes at the end-of-the-season grape La Purisima offers a variety of programs and learning harvest and enjoy other traditional Mission activities. Village Days experiences for students and educators. Please visit the November Village Days August 24 | November 2 website for details. 2nd 11 AM to 2 PM The Tule Village comes to life as visitors experience the blending of traditional Chumash Indian and Colonial Spanish culture. Visitors engage in activities such as December Founding Day Remembrance acorn grinding, basket weaving, making soapstone 8th 12 PM (mass) / 7 PM (concert) beads and tule dolls, and playing Chumash games. December Las Posadas 15th 2 PM to 4 PM

For more information on all these special events: www.lapurisimamission.org