The group that toured old Fort Bayard on Thursday afternoon, included, from left, Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society member Gerald Schultz, member Ansel Walters, member Dale Giese walking between member Martin Miller in the back, and FBPHS president Cecilia Bell in front; GSD representatives, Jim Thalmann, partially obscured behind George Morgan, GSD members Pam Nicosin and Alexis Johnson, looking where FBPHS member Dr. John Bell is pointing.

Second photo is of Dr. John Bell, Cecilia Bell and Gerald Schultz of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society looking at the plaques in front of the theater, with Pam Nicosin and Alexis Johnson of the General Services Department looking on.

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Several members of the New Mexico General Services Department visited old Fort Bayard on Thursday, April 17, 2014.

The purpose of the visit, according to Pam Nicosin, who works in the GSD Facilities Management Division, was for familiarization with the fort and so she and Alexis H. Johnson, attorney with the GSD Risk Management Division, could visualize and understand the fort when talking to people here in the region about issues. It was the first time Nicosin and Johnson had visited the fort.

George D. Morgan, GSD Facilities Management Division director, and Jim Thalmann of GSD, have visited Fort Bayard previously.

Nicosin indicated that another reason to visit was to create a written agreement with the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society for the group to use the commanding officer's quarters as a museum, and the theater as a venue for programs.

Cecilia Bell, FBHPS president, led the group through the museum and the theater, and pointed out plaques recounting history of the fort.