"I love Friends of San Juan National Historic Site, Friends of SJNHS "

2022-05-09 16:23:32

About Us Our Impact Our Team News Become a Member Donate About UsOur ImpactOur Team Protection & Preservation Start Here. NewsBecome a MemberDonate Scroll Dedicated to the conservation and care of our shared cultural heritage. MissionThe Friends of San Juan National Historic Site is a non-profit organization designed to support the San Juan National Historic Site (SJNHS) financially and to amplify its public outreach agenda. By raising funds and awareness about our island's history and cultural heritage, we aim to perpetuate the responsible stewardship of our park's treasures. SJNHS is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Fortín San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo), the San Juan Gate, Paseo del Morro, and most of the historic wall that surrounds Old San Juan. It is one of more than 400 National Parks and historical sites across the U.S. and its territories, but it is the only National Park of the National Park Service (NPS) in Puerto Rico, and one of only 23 U.S. National Parks that are also classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites because of their cultural and historical value for all humanity. The Friends of San Juan National Historic Site is proud to join a long list of other Friends organizations across the United States (and beyond) that focus on promoting the natural and historic beauty of their parks, sharing their importance with park visitors, and, of course, contributing to their preservation for future generations. If you a frequent traveler and park visitor and are finding yourself interested in learning more about Friends organizations more generally, check out this list of similar organizations based in the continental U.S. GoalsOur goals are straight-forward: Raise money that allows the walls, grounds, and more ephemeral aspects of SJNHS (like graffiti, objects, furniture, documents, and so on) to be properly conserved; educate adults and children on how they can be a part of our shared history and also a part of the park’s future. 01.–Create strategic partnerships with local and national businesses and organizations that share our ongoing mission.02.–Raise money for small- and large-scale preservation projects across the San Juan National Historic Site.03.–Support educational programming in an effort to inspire adults and children to be stewards of our National Park.04.–Share our mission and our story with park visitors at local events, local establishments, and more broadly with other Friends organizations/ park visitors. HistoryIslands are often celebrated for their cultural diversity, their unique natural resources, or their natural beauty. What is sometimes more difficult to appreciate are the complicated histories and events that have led them to be so celebrated today. It is useful to remember that islands have played and indeed continue to play an important role in sea-faring as well as in inter-regional communication and trade. Their often strategic locations between larger landmasses/sociopolitical powers have made them stages for the enactment of world affairs and homes to people traveling from near and far. Puerto Rico fits this larger picture of island-life in many ways. The island was home to a thriving precolonial population of Taíno people, but was colonized by Spain after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493. The island remained a possession of Spain for several centuries, though it was sometimes contested by other European powers. The mixture of the native inhabitants, colonists and soldiers from Spain/Europe, the forced movement of African slaves through the Caribbean, and subsequent episodes of Spanish migration created a diverse cultural setting even before the United States of America acquired the island in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. The island's current status as an unincorporated territorial possession encourages U.S. travelers and ex-pats to make it their permanent or semi-permanent home and it invites tourists from around the world. In addition to its cultural and historical importance, the island's stunning beaches, its interior rain forest, its savory foods, its history in the world sugar and rum trade, and its popular music and dance contributions make it a fascinating and beautiful place to visit.The San Juan National Historic Site, which consists of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Fortín San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo), the San Juan Gate, Paseo del Morro, and most of the historic wall that surrounds Old San Juan, reflects this complicated history and the important role that Puerto Rico has played in global affairs. Construction of the largest fortress, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, began in the early 1500s and was continuously worked on/repaired for another 250 years. From 1898 until 1961 El Morro also served as part of the U.S. Army fort, Fort Brooke. El Cañuelo was originally built to provide crossfire in conjunction with El Morro against invading forces, but it fell out of use once gunpowder technology at El Morro was powerful enough to stand on its own. Castillo San Cristóbal was built in the following century, in the 1600s, and was intended primarily for protecting against sieges and incursions from the interior. The city's fortification walls were also begun in the 1600s - they're 20-feet thick and offered stout protection for the civilians and soldiers inside them. A more detailed account of the site’s history can be accessed here. The above-mentioned buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1983 along with La Fortaleza, the name for the Puerto Rican Governor’s official residence.Our organization is proud to join the National Park Service in its mission to protect and preserve this piece of world history and to promote education about the (multi-)cultural heritage it attests to. In addition, we hope to engage in broader dialogues about the importance of islands in world affairs, the effects of colonialism within the Caribbean and further afield, and how islands like Puerto Rico can contribute in a positive way to globalization, to creativity with technologies, and to sensitivity in cultural relationships. Ready to help?Become a member Join Today —Donate Donate Today About Intro Our Mission And Goals Quote Our Story Join Friends of San Juan National Historic Site [email protected] ContactDonateAmazon SmileGallery POWERED BY SQUARESPACE