HISTORIC FORTS DAY -- Feb. 19, 2011
Updated 08 Mar 2011
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and HUNGRY ...
A handful of reenactors spent Friday night in military camp. Dave Harkness rose early to make campfire breakfast and coffee
for the other early risers,
and of course later, cooked lunch for all.
Photos by Ranger Bradley Kelly and Foundation Board member Paul Harden
Welcome to the Center!
Monument
Ranger
Lance
Weinbrenner
welcoming our guests to the Center
Some of our reenactors and living history demonstrations:
Members of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society had several displays on frontier military life, weapons, including
a Gatlin gun, and of course the fascinating history of old Fort Bayard (near Silver City).
Displays of the history of Fort Bayard - home to the Buffalo Soldier.
Ranger Jose Guzman visiting with the "old timers"
Medicine in the old west and items from the old Fort Bayard hospital
Larry Marken showing some of the tools once used by mountain men and trappers.
Representatives from the U.S.D.A. with an interesting and informative display on the history of trapping in New Mexico.
John Taylor and Paul Harden gave slide-show talks on the Battle of Valverde & the Civil War
Some of the "tools of the trade" for a U.S. Marshall in frontier New Mexico.
Waiting for the rinse cycle?
Our Foundation Gift Shop & Book Store remained busy all day as visitors discovered our collection of new and hard to find
history books, and of course Southwestern gifts.
Starting the fire in the horno for the day's cooking
Dave cooking campfire breakfast biscuits
Trail brewed coffee - eat you heart out, Starbucks!
The Weaver family with
black power demonstrations
Reenactors from Fort Selden demonstrate military field camps, such as those used by U.S. Army patrols on escort duty along El
Camino Real trail in the 1800s.
Dave must cook by smell
'cuz it sure smelled good!
Lunch consisted of homemade bread cooked in our horno and a delicious cowboy stew, campfire cooked, in a traditional field dutch oven.
Our trail cook extraordinaire was Dave Harkness, from Fort Selden, that provided a tasty piece of living history.
our traditional horno
So good -- people were taking photos
Dave cooking loaves of bread in the Center's horno.
Mr. Weaver trying to look "mountain-mannish" after that bowl of cowboy stew
We're not sure -- but we think these fellas are happy campers after
that tasty lunch
Following lunch, the Truth or Consequences Old Time Dancers entertained those in attendance with dances set to old time tunes, some
new tunes, and patriotic music.
Historic Forts Day was sponsored by the Foundation -- the Friend's Group to the Camino Real International Heritage Center. Many
of New Mexico's frontier Army forts were built along El Camino Real to protect travelers and caravans along the famous trail. We sponsor
this annual event for the historic significance of the blend of Territorial U.S. Army days and the Camino Real; our location
near historic Fort Craig and the Civil War Battle of Valverde site, living history displays and demonstrations; and educational
presentations ... all fun for the entire family and history buffs alike.
is New Mexico's Centennial anniversary, and the 150th anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Valverde, fought just a few miles north
of El Camino Real International Heritage Center. We're planning a big celebration and lot's fun next February. So plan
ahead now and watch our home page later in the year for activities and special events.
If you or your group would like to participate
in our Centennial or 150th Civil War living history and reenactments, contact Paul ... na5n at zianet dot com
