SuperintendentThe superintendent of San Juan National Historic Site is the top park official, responsible for managing and supervising all park operations and activities. The superintendent's office includes the deputy superintendent, management specialist, and all divisions described below. Maintenance DivisionThe NPS maintenance staff at San Juan hosts the Historic Preservation Program. The preservation masons work daily to take care of the fortifications in a variety of ways. With more than two-and-a-half miles of fortress walls and three forts to maintain, the preservation of the site is a continual effort. The Spanish military built San Juan’s defenses primarily of sandstone, lime, and brick. The NPS staff has had to learn the traditional construction techniques used in the original construction of the forts. They must use these historic methods because modern materials, such as cement, are incompatible with the old structures and can ultimately cause damage to the historic fabric. After extensive research, NPS masons have learned that the Spanish used four basic types of mortar to bind the construction materials and to cover exterior surfaces. Today masons use mortar mixes comprised of lime, sand, water, and crushed brick along with traditional application techniques that are based on the original used by the Spanish. Facilities Management DivisionThe Facilities Management Division maintains all roads, trails, buildings, utilities, grounds, vehicles, and other physical facilities in the park to assure their safe use. The facility staff works closely with the city of San Juan in the coordination of activities and events. Administration DivisionSan Juan National Historic Site (SAJU) Administrative Division strives to operate a cost-efficient, customer-oriented service whose actions are transparent to the Division Chiefs and Employees resulting in innovative solutions and quality results for a government that effectively serves the San Juan National Historic Site. Furthermore, SAJU Administrative Division is responsible for planning, developing and executing a comprehensive range of administrative services that support San Juan National Historic Site operations. These services include overseeing the park’s budget allocation and executions, providing comprehensive personnel services to employees, maintaining information technology systems, coordinating automated recruitment and personnel support, procuring supplies and equipment, and managing property, housing and facilities four separate divisions. Cultural Resources Management DivisionThe Cultural Resources Management Division works with the conservation of the park's museum and archival collections, and the park's library; the evaluation of research proposals; historic research; the compliance documentation related to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966; and the documentation of historic resources for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, among other things. The park houses a museum and archival collection that has more than 550,000 objects that are available for research. The park library has more than 3,000 books also available for research. Researchers need to make an appointment to access the collections. Interpretation, Education & Fees DivisionThe Division of Interpretation, Education and Fees provides orientation, information, and educational programs to visitors and students from all over the world. Park Guides and Rangers will welcome you to Castillo San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal and help you have a safe, enjoyable visit. The history and heritage of this Spanish defensive system spans centuries, and they will help you get a better understanding of the stories and the old masonry structures featured here. |
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Last updated: January 30, 2020