Friday’s opening ceremony included guest speakers and a dedication of the World Heritage Center’s veranda— a gift to the people of San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio World Heritage Center is now open, honoring the legacy of the people who make the San Antonio Missions special.
It’s the celebration of a lifetime for Brenda Pacheco, who is a descendant of the Pampopa and Pacao tribes who built Mission San Jose and Mission Espada.
“My family was the last family to leave the compound in 1992,” Pacheco said. “My family actually lived right behind San Jose Mission, not more than 20 feet from the back wall.”
Inside the World Heritage Center, you can learn about the San Antonio natives who make the missions special.
“My sister, my cousin, my aunt, myself, my daughters—and they’re narrators,” said Pacheco. “We’re all here today to see ourselves on film. So yes, it’s very exciting.”
Vincent Huigar says his great-great-great-grandfather helped build Mission San Jose. Huigar was able to give the World Heritage Center a piece of his work.
“They’re displaying one of the hands that are carved out of San Antonio limestone and did an interview with me.
I feel proud of my heritage,” Huigar said.
Videos, photos, art and sculptures in the building will be changed out. The center plans to host programming, children’s activities, and lectures for the community. The center is also working to expand.
“There’ll be a drum circle coming in this spring. And in the future, a pavilion. So it’s about $15 million in total for all of those components,” said Colleen Swain, director of the World Heritage Office.
Friday’s opening ceremony included guest speakers and a dedication of the World Heritage Center’s veranda— a gift to the people of San Antonio.
The center is free and open Tuesdays through Sundays.
