Welcome Ramada and Exhibit Casita
Left: At the ramada just south of the main entrance, visitors can ask questions, visit the exhibit space and purchase fresh produce, books, t-shirts and other garden-related items // Right: Volunteer Sidney Engs offers visitors sweet limes and Meyer lemons grown at the garden
During opening hours docents are on hand at the Welcome Ramada to provide information and sell Mission Garden’s fresh produce, plants, books and an array of other items.
In this historical photo taken by Carleton Watkins in 1880, Mission Garden can be seen in the foreground with the gardener’s casita on the east side, the ruins of the convento and the Carrillo house in the background, and the town of Tucson on the horizon
The casita that houses the exhibition space and gift shop is a recreation of the historical gardener’s casita that stood on the same spot when the original Mission Garden was growing.
Left: The recreated casita now houses some interpretive displays and books related to Tucson’s agricultural heritage // Right: It also serves as a gift shop offering local heritage foods and crafts
