COME CELEBRATE SAN JUAN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE’S 61st ANNIVERSARY

Date: February 11, 2010
Contact: Dilcia Gonzalez, 787/729-6777 ext 239

Superintendent Walter J. Chavez invites the public to their park for commemorating its 61st anniversary on Sunday, February 14th.  It was through a Presidential Order on February 14th, 1949, that San Juan National Historic Site, then the U.S Army’s Fort Brooke, became a unit of the National Park Service. For this special occasion, entrance to the fortifications of Castillo San Cristobal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro will be free of cost to all visitors. Several tours and educational talks are scheduled for the day from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.  Activities will include tours of the Sites archival collection at Castillo San Cristobal, tunnels, outworks, and tours of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro lighthouse.  Additionally, through hands on masonry demonstrations, visitors will learn about the site’s structural preservation work, and through the San Juan Black & White exhibit, learn about the entire Spanish defensive system in San Juan. Participants will also be able to hear from Los Amigos de los Fuertes del Viejo San Juan on how to  become a member and serve as advocate for the fortifications of Old San Juan. 

"I encourage all our local friends and neighbors to come join us on this special day for the park and perhaps see and enjoy the fortifications in a different way with these guided tours and entry into the historical archives area” said Superintendent Chavez.  

San Juan National Historic Site is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Fort San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo), the San Juan Gate, Paseo del Morro and most of the City Wall.  The park is open everyday from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

For more information, please call [phone] ext 239 during working hours.