Mission San Juan Capistrano
photo courtesy of Eric Plunkett
Historian Eric Plunkett will discuss “The Books that Made Mission San Juan Capistrano,” at the next meeting of the Orange County Historical Society: March 12, 2026, 7:30 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., in Orange. Please join us!
Few know that the first library in Orange County – assembled by the padres of Mission San Juan Capistrano themselves – remains among the mission’s collection. Annotations in some of the books tie them to some of the most important missionaries and events in the history of California and tell a fascinating story about how the mission was built, organized, and maintained. These very books were sources used in some of the earliest agricultural, ranching, and architectural developments in the county. Some are directly tied to the most important events in early California. Come hear the story of this library, its books, and how it helped shape our history.
Eric Plunkett is the author of St. Junípero Serra and the Founders of Mission San Juan Capistrano and Orange County and many scholarly articles and is co-author, with Phil Brigandi, of the OCHS publication, The Portola Expedition in Orange County. Plunkett teaches in the Placentia Yorba-Linda Unified School District. A native of Placentia, he graduated with a degree in history from CSU Fullerton. He has led numerous OCHS tours and History Hikes and has addressed OCHS on many occasions. He blogs about the early history of Orange County at www.visionsofcalifornia.blogspot.com.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:30pm for this informative presentation! The public is welcome!!!!