Honoring the past and Marching Onward: The Fort Bayard Historic Preservtion Society Presents Fort Bayard Days 2016 on September 16 - 17.
Fort Bayard Days, condensed because of the the state of New Mexico's demolition of the 1922 Veteran's Hospital, will be celebrated at Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark and at the National Guard Armory near Santa Clara. Events include a dinner with speaker, children's activities, museum visits, re-enactors, tours, and will close with a play.
On Frday, September 16, John Langellier, author and historian, will discuss "Buffalo Soldiers on the Border" following dinner catered by Brewer Hill at the National Guard Armory on U.S. Highway 180 near Santa Clara. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner served at 6:30. The dinner is $12.50 for
members and $15.00 for non-members. For reservations, please call 575-388-4477 or 575-956-3294 before Wednesday, September 14.
Completing his undergraduate studies at the University of San Diego, Langellier author of Fighting for Uncle Sam: Buffalo Soldiers in the Frontier Army, received his PhD at Kansas State in military history. He has worked on assignment with the U.S. Army, as director of the Wyoming State Museum, as executive director of the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona, and as director of the Arizona Historical Society division in Tempe.
On Saturday, September 17, the Fort Bayard Museum, located on the west side of the Parade Ground, will open at 9:15. Walking tours begin at 9:30 There will be exhibits and displays on the north side of the Parade Ground Old-fashioned toys and games will be available for children and their parents to enjoy. A laundress from Fort Selden and a Shady Lady from El Paso will join re-enactors from the Fort Bayad Historic Preservation Society.
On Saturday evening, at 7 p.m., at the National Guard Armory, the play "Lozen" will be performed by Carol Slatten. Lozen, an Apache woman, was the sister of Victorio, a healer, and often accompanied Geronimo. The play is taken from a segment of her work Three Strong Western Women. Slatten, who resides near the White Mountain Reservation, recently received a Daughters of the American Revolution "Women in the Arts Recognition Award. She has also been invited to be a "Writer in Residence" at the Petrified Forest National Park. This event is free of charge but donations to support the mission of the FBHPS are welcomed.
The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society works to protect, preserve, research, and share Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark. Recently the Village of Santa Clara has joined in that cause. It is now your time to join the march to Save Fort Bayard!