Mission San Xavier Del Bac Museum - Tucson, AZ
Posted by: linkys
N 32° 06.420 W 111° 00.464
12S E 499270 N 3552295
Museum inside a 200+ year old church tracing the church's history.
Waymark Code: WM80MX
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 01/04/2010
Views: 29
Mission San Xavier Del Bac is considered to be the finest examples of the mission style church architecture in the country. Constructed mainly with native labor working from 1783-1797, under the direction of Spanish Franciscan Fathers, the building suffered from decay over the centuries, but has recently been the focus of efforts to restore it to its former glory.
This small museum traces the history of the building from its inception to the present, through the use of artifacts, construction drawings and photographs.
The history of those associated with the church, both the Franciscan Fathers and the Tohono O'odham people they served are also related in the series of exhibits which are spread throughout a number of small, interconnected rooms.
It is one thing to visit the church and marvel at its exquiste splendor. A visit to the museum gives you an insight into the efforts it took to make it what you see today.
The entrance to the museum is the unmarked, but open door down the walkway to the right of the main entrance to the church.