Past Events at the Center -- Historic Forts Day
Thanks to all who helped make Historic Forts Day a memorable event, from those who gave their time with the presentations and exhibits,
to the Center staff.
Our visitors enjoyed the numerous exhibits and presentations on life in New Mexico and along the trail during
the frontier and Territorial periods. A photo slide show on El Camino and Confederate campsites thrilled many history buffs. Frontier
cooking, black powder guns to housewear and sewing was a living history to life over a centry ago.
The highlight of the day was
the portrayal of Rafael Chacon by
Dr. Lamadrid, portraying this famous New Mexican and soldier.
Larry Marken demonstrates some of the skills once used by frontiersmen while traveling the trails in New Mexico.
February 15, 2008
Mountain Men and Frontier Living
Today, one can drive from El Paso to Santa Fe along the Camino Real (I-25) in a few hours. But,
what was it like in the early 1800s? How did those early frontiersmen travel, cook, stay out of the rain and keep themselves healthy?
Reenactors set up a frontier camp demonstrating early shelters used on the trail, medicines, cooking techniques, black powders weapons
... even card games and other entertainment found along the early trails. This year's frontiersmen and mountainmen often demonstrate
their skills at Las Golondrinas living museum near Santa Fe. Our visitors enjoyed the living history and hardships endured 150-200
years ago.
Forts Day Special Presentation: The life of Rafael Chacon
Rafael Chacon turned out to be a distinctive character in New Mexico history.
Not only did he serve his country as an officer with the New Mexico Volunteers during and after the Civil War, Chacon also wrote
a lengthy memoir of his life. Published in the book "Legacy of Honor," edited by Jacquelin Meketa, Chacon's writings remains
the most extensive record of life in 1800s New Mexico, particularly from an Hispanic's point of view.
The life of Rafael Chacon
was portrayed by Dr. Enrique Lamadrid to a standing room only crowd at the Center. Presented in both Spanish and English, Lamadrid
painted an excellent picture of life in New Mexico through the eyes of Rafael Chacon. The role of the Hispano man, his loyalty
to his new country called the United States, and the honor in which they lived is often misunderstood, but clearly told through the
pen of Chacon.
Dr. Enrique Lamadrid portrayed
Captain Rafael Chacon at the Center during Historic Forts Day.
Rafael Chacon is honored by a memorial in Socorro.
Click here for a larger view.
The Civil War in New Mexico and El Camino Real
Foundation board member Paul Harden presented a slide show of numerous photographs of
the Camino Real trail, maps showing the movements of the Confederate Army through New Mexico, how much of it simply followed El Camino
Real, and modern day photos of the Valverde battlefield and the Confederate campsites.
Photos of today's Camino Real answered the question "Where's the Trail?" (enlarge)
A modern day view of the Valverde battlefield, on the north side of Black Mesa. (enlarge)
Remnants of the Feb. 20, 1862 camp of the Confederates, and the wagons burned by the New Mexico volunteers, are still visible today. (enlarge)
The Confederate Army followed El Camino Real from Paraje, south of Ft. Craig, to Santa Fe -- but then blazed their own trail around Socorro on their retreat to El Paso.
Mountain man Skip taking a break in the Center, though still looking quite mountain mannish.
Visitors listening to stories of frontier life.
A trail kitchen being readied for dinner.
A typical frontier camp contained black powder rifles to a medical kit.
Click on photos to enlarge
