THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park welcomed 1.55 million recreation visits in 2025. Despite a 43-day partial government shutdown – the longest ever – the National Park Service worked to keep parks open and accessible whenever possible so visitors could continue to experience the nation’s natural and historic treasures.
Official NPS source
On Dec. 10, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park Service and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, proudly welcomed Kevin Lilly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, for a visit celebrating the park’s collaboration with Joint Base San Antonio.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 1.3 million visitors to San Antonio Missions in 2024 spent $114,683,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $171,164,000.
Official NPS source
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is excited to announce the selection of Rex Hausmann—a celebrated local contemporary artist—as the 2025 Artist-in-Residence, bringing his vibrant creativity and welcoming spirit to the park and its visitors. The Artist-in-Residence program is a National Park Service-wide initiative that hosts artists in parks to help connect visitors and tell park stories through art. This year’s program is made possible thanks to support from our park partner, Mission Heritage Partners.
Official NPS source
July 5, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the San Antonio Missions' designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This rare and prestigious honor elevated Mission San Antonio de Valero (also known as the Alamo) and the four missions within San Antonio Missions National Historical Park as a unified cultural landmark, celebrating their global significance and the essential role they’ve played in shaping Texas and the United States.
Official NPS source
The 2024 annual World Heritage Annual Accomplishment Report celebrates the achievements of the World Heritage Management Group of San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site, the only United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in Texas.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) headquarters for San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a commercially leased facility that is nearing expiration. As part of the process to acquire a new space the Federal government is required to acquire space through full and open completion among suitable locations meeting minimum Government requirement, in accordance with 41 CFR 102-73.100. Except when specifically delegated to individual Federal agencies, the acquisition of leased space is performed by the General Service Administration (GSA). To ensure the NPS’s ability to acquire new space, GSA has contracted with a commercial real estate broker to assist with this acquisition. As part of this process, the Broker has performed initial outreach to vendors who have actively listed facilities that appear to meet our requirements and GSA has released a pre-solicitation notice (Notice ID: 1TX2620_1) to determine potential market interest.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service report shows that 1.2 million park visitors to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 2023 spent $95.0 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,480 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $150 million.
Official NPS source
San Antonio Missions has received a grant from the National Park Foundation to continue preservation work in the park through the Cultural Landscape Apprentice Program.
Official NPS source
In celebration of National Park Week and Earth Day, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams visited San Antonio Missions National Historical Park today where he announced a new national designation for Mission San José, welcomed new American citizens at a naturalization ceremony, issued free park passes to Gold Star families and members of the military, and visited a Great American Outdoors Act historic preservation and infrastructure investment in the park.
Official NPS source
The annual World Heritage Annual Accomplishment Report celebrates the achievements of World Heritage Management Group and its primary partners toward the preservation and protection of San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas.
Official NPS source
San Antonio Missions National Historical is pleased to announce the relaunch of its “Artist-in-Residence” program. The Artist-in-Residence program is a national park system-wide program that hosts artists in parks to help connect visitors and tell park stories using art. It has been several years since San Antonio Missions National Historical Park has participated in the program, and thanks to the support from park partner, Mission Heritage Partners and a grant from Bexar County the program relaunches this year. This year’s artist is Michelle Hernandez, a local south-side San Antonio clay artist and studio owner.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 1.2 million visitors to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 2022 spent $98.3 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,540 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $155 million.
Official NPS source
US Park Rangers of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are seeking information from the public to help identify those responsible for recent vandalism and attempted forced entry into the historic church at Mission San Jose. Park officials report that the incident occurred on June 28, 2023.
Official NPS source
The 2022 World Heritage Site Annual Accomplishment Report celebrates the achievements of the many partners that preserve San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site. San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site encompasses five missions along the San Antonio River basin, as well as a mission ranch located in Floresville, Texas.
Official NPS source
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park hosts mission descendant families at its first Mission Descendant Community Gathering.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service is performing preservation, maintenance, and repair work on sections of the historic Espada Aqueduct, the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States, located in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The $290,000 project to repair leaks and remove sediment and debris is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act and expected to be completed in March.
Official NPS source
Join San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Las Misiones for two nights of stars at Mission San Juan to explore and be inspired by the night sky through telescopes, learn about celestial navigation.
Official NPS source
Join us for an exploration of sound and ceremony at the historic Espada Dam. This free public event invites participants to preview new musical works by composer Pamela Martinez, create audio field recordings with artist Mark Menjivar, sit in a sound bath meditation at the San Antonio River or drop in for all morning nature painting and water ceremony.
Official NPS source
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 1.3 million visitors to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 2021 spent $104 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,640 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $165 million.
Official NPS source