Cristianita Monument Press Release 11.12.13 .pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/12/2013
Benjamin Tyrrel
Marketing and Public Relations Director
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Office: 949-498-2139
tyrrel@casaromatica.org

“LA CRISTIANITA” HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION
NOVEMBER 21, 2013
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in conjunction with the City of
San Clemente is proud to announce the dedication ceremony of the newly restored and
relocated “La Cristianita” state historical marker. The ceremony will be held on November 21 at
10:30 a.m. at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Ave. Granada in San Clemente.

Through a generous donation by Dr. Giovanni Cirocco, retired educator and Casa Romantica
member, the historical marker has been restored and moved from the San Clemente City Hall to
its permanent location on the grounds of the historic Casa Romantica Cultural Center and
Gardens. Dr. Cirocco, artist and sculptor is honoring his paternal grandfather, “ Nonno” Niccola
Cirocco and “Abbondanza”- God’s gracious abundant gift- a village tradition in Italy.

San Clemente matriarch and lifelong advocate for the preservation of the “La Cristianita” legacy,
the late Bertha Henry Taylor campaigned over recent years to have the historical markers
moved to a more visible location. Dr. Cirocco wanted to make Bertha Henry Taylor’s dream of
relocating the “La Cristianita” historical marker to Casa Romantica happen. Patricia Holloway
and Associate Planner John Ciampa from the City of San Clemente obtained State Office of
Historic preservation approvals to relocate the monument.

The “La Cristianita” monument commemorates the first Christian baptisms by Spanish
missionaries in 1769. The original state historical marker is located on the Cristianitos area of
Camp Pendleton. In 1957, the state placed a second historical marker on the south end of San
Clemente, and it was then moved to City Hall during the construction of the I-5 Freeway.

In preparation for the new installation, the plaques underwent an intensive restoration process
by Stuart Dean Company, Inc., a national leader in the restoration and care of architectural
surfaces. Juan Trujillo and James Lynch of the Tustin office of Stuart Dean donated their
expertise, researching the original look and finish of the plaques before spending over 20 man
hours hand cleaning and detailing the metal finishes with specialty chemicals. To preserve the
look of the plaques they finished their work by adding a layer of polyurethane, protecting
them against exposure to the ocean air. BoulderScape created the rock on which the plaques
will be mounted

San Clemente visitors, residents, business owners and members of the press are invited to
celebrate “La Cristianita” of 1769’s new home at the Casa Romantica Cultural Center and
Gardens located at 415 Avenida Granda, San Clemente, CA 92672. For more information about
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, please call (949) 498-2139, or visit the gallery
website at www.casaromantica.org.

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ABOUT THE CASA ROMANTICA CULTURAL CENTER AND GARDENS
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization and is the
historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for
all ages in arts, music, history, horticulture and literature and is a premier Southern California
cultural center.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672
Tel 949.498.2139 Fax 949.498.2192 www.casaromantica.org