his project will focus on the north gate of the perimeter wall at Mission San Francisco de la Espada.
Earlier projects to correct drainage in the compound (1980s) has resulted in an overburden of soil on the north side of the gate which has caused the stone gate to lean to the south.
This
project will remove the overburden (using trained archeologists in order to prevent accidental disturbance of unknown cultural features), document the walls, foundation and any other subsurface features, do a condition assessment of the walls, and provide recommended treatment plan.
Mission Espada is part of an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site, as well.
The NPS will provide information on previous studies and conservation within the NPS-managed areas, and will also provide any records of historic photographs and other information available in their archives.