Historic Preservation Month was highlighted at the Center with two major events:
Dedication of our traditional carreta (ox cart)
Adobe
Workshop
May 22-23, 2010 at the Center
Past Events at the Center -- Historic Preservation
The Center is deeply indebted to Mr. Gary Williams for building an authentic carreta -- the ox drawn carts that brought thousands
of Spanish colonists to New Mexico over the Camino Real.
The carreta was dedicated on May 22, 2010.
Gary Williams has spent
several months building the carreta using only traditional hand tools common at the time from local woods.
Gary Williams also
built the traditional carreta on display at the Coronado State Monument in Bernalillo, NM.
Carreta Dedication
Mr. Williams built the carreta at the Center over the winter months using only traditional hand tools and construction practices common
in the 1600-1700s.
Jose Guzman (left), Interim Manager of the Center, introduces Gary Williams to those in attendance at the dedication.
Some of the people and Foundation Board members in attendance at the dedication.
Click on photos to enlarge
Gary Williams answers questions and describes how he built the carreta and the traditional use of the ox cart as used by the Spanish
colonists along El Camino Real trail in the 1600-1700s.
Presentations detailed how preserving old adobe structures and plastering is performed to maintain the historic appearance and
aspects of this well used method of earth building. Several people also got "hands on" experience at the workshop in mixing
adobe for different purposes, and applying the mud for filling damaged adobe to smooth finishing, such as the dome of an horno (oven).
Noted adobe restoration expert and instructor Bruce Henry taught the "hands on" portion of the workshop. Bruce has been involved in
adobe preservation work at some of New Mexico's State Monuments and the Acoma Pueblo.
Preparing the adobe for the proper consistency and texture
Then mix-up the adobe "mud"
Ah ha! The instructor said it's finally the right consistency.
Wetting down the horno for applying the adobe finish.
Getting the adobe to begin plastering the horno
One of the students plastering the adobe onto the horno.
Not shown is the 25 mph wind that made keeping the adobe moist and pliable
a challenge.
Another student applying adobe for finishing the cap on the horno dome. A second smooth finishing layer was later added.
