Mora Museum
Built from adobe bricks between 1921 and 1924, the Mora Museum measures 1,750 square foot and includes a loft area. The museum houses a collection of 17th century silver brought over from Spain. It also houses the Serra Memorial Cenotaph, created by renowned Carmel sculptor Jo Mora in 1924 in a workshop on mission grounds. The Cenotaph is made of travertine marble and bronze bas-reliefs that honor Serra and depict notable events of early mission days and early eras in California history. The walls in the museum highlight the Mission system, showing all 21 missions and offing descriptions of the 9 Missions that Father Serra founded. As the Carmel Mission was the headquarters for the Mission system highlighting the induvial mission allow visitors and students to learn of all the missions through visiting Carmel Mission. Visitors to the museum are able to identify and learn about the artifacts displayed in the altar exhibit case, including the large Cross, also sculpted by Jo Mora.
Completed in 1924, the Mora Museum requires structural reinforcement throughout its adobe walls for seismic stabilization. Restoration work will also provide enhancements to the exhibits, infrastructure upgrades, general renovation, and improvements to visitor traffic flow and ADA accessibility.
