San Juan Capistrano : Mission Museum Gets $10,000 Exhibit Grant

The Mission San Juan Capistrano Museum has received a grant of $10,000 from the Ahmanson Foundation for the development of Museum Room 4, which is devoted to the Rancho period in the city’s history, the museum’s director, Nicholas M. Magalousis, said.

In addition, Magalousis said, the foundation has offered a $10,000 challenge grant on a 50% matching basis, which means that if the museum can raise $20,000 on its own, the foundation will donate another $10,000.

Individuals and businesses are asked to make tax-deductible donations to the nonprofit museum, which is housed in the west wing of the old Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The Rancho period room will include murals, an artists’ working area and displays. In the past it has been used for such exhibits as “Saddles and Cattle,” “The Faces and Hands of Archeology” and a ceramic tile show.

Magalousis said other projects to be undertaken soon on the grounds include preservation of the ruins of the Old Stone Church, which crumbled during an earthquake in 1812, and stabilization of the Spanish soldiers’ barracks building.