Convento Museum
Reconstruction of the Convento Museum by Harry Downie, now the Mission's largest and most important museum, began in 1932 and continued until 1941 with the completion of the museum store, artifact rooms, library, sala, and padres' quarters, including Junipero Serra's cell. Downie laid out the new adobe walls to correspond with the adobe wall remnants and footings he discovered from the original Mission that stood through the early 1800's. The tile floor in the Salon is original, and the headers over the doorways and windows are original beams found on the property. Artifacts on display were unearthed during the excavation, and Sir Harry Downie spent decades researching, locating, and returning original mission artifacts that had been taken elsewhere during the Mission's abandonment period. Many of the artifacts seen on display here were brought by the Spaniards and predate the mission era.
Most notable in this museum is the reconstruction of what was once the padre's living quarters. It is historically furnished and decorated to allow visitors to "step back in time." The interpretive displays are depicted from the written word of Fr. Serra, Fr. Palóu, and Fr. Crespi, who wrote diligently about their living quarters and daily life at the mission. Historical artifacts including Serra's bible, literature dating back to 1568, and Serra's chair were recovered and returned to Carmel Mission and are on display in the Convento Museum.
Proposed restoration work will seismically strengthen the adobe structure to ensure safe access for the students and visitors. Museum enhancements will offer a better visitor experience with improved accessibility, modern engineering to maintain the integrity of the artifacts. Updated lighting, and displays will bring the museum into the 21st century. Individual artifact preservation will also be addressed.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact our office at (831) 624-3261 or development@carmelmissionfoundation.org
