2b - JUNIPERO SERRA MUSEUM

The Junipero Serra Museum (in Presidio Park) is one of the most familiar landmarks in San Diego. A major symbol of the city, it sits on top of the hill recognized as the site where California began. In 1769, a Spanish Franciscan missionary, Father Junipero Serra led a group of soliders with Gaspar de Portola and established Alta California's first mission and presidio.

The Serra Museum was built between 1928-1929 for the purpose of housing and showcasing the collection of San Diego Historical Society, which was founded in 1928. William Templeton Johnson designed the structure, using Spanish Revival architecture to resemble the early missions that once dominated the landscape of Southern California.

The education room in the museum has hands-on stations where kids can grind acorns, dig for artifacts with archaeology tools or dress up in period costumes. The museum is on rolling green grounds of Presidio Park. The central part of the park, has flat grassy areas great for picnicking. The central circle also offers grills and picnic benches. Located in beautiful Presidio Park, the museum is one of the most photographed buildings in San Diego. Climb up the museum tower and enjoy panoramic views of Mission Valley, Mission Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

I have experienced a few field trips to the Junipero Serra Museum in Presidio Park. It is quite a popular destination for school age children due to learning about the missions (a big part of the San Diego area). If my memory serves me correctly, this is the first museum I visited as a child growing up in San Diego. I remember we had to bring our sack lunches and had a big group picnic outside the museum in the grassy area. We would discuss what we learned and get prizes for museum trivia. What a great learning tool for children, a hands on museum!

Sources: San Diego Historical Society.com, Balboa Park.com, San Diego History.org

I learned from Lucia that Paulo believed that dialogue was not just simply talking. He thought that it built a respect for those in conversation and could be a tool used to strengthen the bonds between individuals and their community. He believed communication was the tool to creating justice and social harmony.