Your Museum Trail of Southern Colorado - News

Teresa de Jesus Vigil book signing

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 19:03:00 GMT

Original article from the Valley Courier

The Best Places to Explore Along Colorado's New Scenic Byways

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 03:21:00 GMT

An historic mining structure near Creede. Photo by Terri Cook Article originally published in 5280 article by Terri Cook"The Scenic Highway of Legends and Silver Thread, which were recently added to the National Scenic Byway system, celebrate southern Colorado's stunning landscapes and rich history.Call it the stuff of legend: Colorado’s scenery is so spectacular that the U.S. Department of Transportation recently added two of the state’s roadways to the America&rs [...]

Solstice in Center, Colorado

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 01:24:00 GMT

https://slvplaces.org/center-community-page

2010 United States Census

Rio Grande County Museum Newsletter

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 01:47:00 GMT

Attached is a PDF of the Rio Grande County Museum Newsletter for June and July 2021.Featured articles and updates include:The Annual Art ShowWorld Ward II ExhibitArt Show with Amanda BlackLyndsie FerrellHigh Valley Community StudentsVolunteersSummer Programs and EXhibitsInterviews from the Past rgcm-2021-june-newsletter.pdfFile Size: 484 kbFile Type: pdfDownload File [...]

In a small village in southern Colorado, architect Ronald Rael makes an earthy return

Sun, 30 May 2021 05:30:00 GMT

video

Drought and Newcomers Threaten Southern Colorado's Traditional Water Systems

Sun, 30 May 2021 04:32:00 GMT

Original post by Rocky Mountain PBSPosted May 25th, 2021by Kate PerdoniJunita Martinez, a resident of the small village of San Francisco [in Southern Colorado], hopes educating the next generation of parciantes will help sustain water rights and the acequia tradition. Here, irrigation canals dug by hand almost 200 years ago are still used — but nature decides how much water they have to work with.Water Is Life - "We're a land and water based people. I am [...]

Restored locomotive 168 to return to same tracks it traveled in 1880s

Sun, 30 May 2021 04:02:00 GMT

www . cumbrestoltec . com

Part 2 - the LeRoy Brothers in San Luis Valley

Sat, 24 Apr 2021 05:46:00 GMT

Contributed photo Billy LeRoy and his brother Sam Potter were buried in unmarked graves in the Del Norte Cemetery. Only one headstone remains today. by Lyndsie Ferrell from the Del Norte ProspectorNow, Billy LeRoy was not your typical looking criminal. The young highwayman was known for dressing on the up-scale side and one of his most infamous traits that kept lawmen guessing who he was, was his size four shoe.At many of the locations where LeRoy held up a train or stagecoach, lawmen would find [...]

Part 1 -A look at Del Norte’s rough and tumble past: The LeRoy Brothers

Sat, 24 Apr 2021 05:31:00 GMT

Image courtesy The Newberry Library. https://www.newberry.org by Lyndsie Ferrell with the Del Norte ProspectorThe San Luis Valley has a rich history dating back to the early 1800s thanks to the many characters that lived rough and tumble lives in the great West. Lawlessness was a way of life for many in those early days and like the song by Jim Croce, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” the San Luis Valley had a bad, bad LeRoy of its own.According to accounts provided by the Rio Grande County Mu [...]

A historic San Luis Valley locomotive will tug passengers again thanks to a coal lot of love

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:00:00 GMT

Photo credit: John McEvoy Special to The Colorado Sun "Experts from across the country converged to restore Engine 168 for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad straddling the Colorado-New Mexico border.When Engine 168 chugs away from the station here in late June with about 60 passengers ensconced in four refurbished 19th century train cars, it will be the culmination of years of dreams, historic preservation work and an investment of nearly $4 million. And perhaps less visible [...]

Barlow and Sanderson Stagecoach

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 22:45:19 GMT

"The Barlow and Sanderson stagecoach in Monte Vista is a mud wagon like those that operated in the 1870s and 1880s along Barlow and Sanderson lines in the San Luis Valley . The only regional example of its type, the stagecoach was acquired by the Monte Vista Commercial Club and donated in 1959 to the Colorado Historical Society, which housed it for decades in the Fort Garland Museum . Because of conditions imposed on the original donation, in 2014 History Colorado (formerly the Colorado Historical Society) returned the stagecoach to Monte Vista, where it is in storage awaiting renovation and display in the Transportation of the West Museum ....." Read the rest of the article @ Colorado Experience

Photo credit: Museum of the San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado

#sanluisvalley #montevista #fortgarland #barlowandanderson #

Mexican Land Grants in the San Luis Valley

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 22:42:13 GMT

"From the sixteenth century to the mid-nineteenth, the king of Spain and the Mexican government awarded land grants to individuals and communities throughout the American Southwest. All seven of Colorado ’s land grants, comprising more than 8 million acres, were awarded by the Mexican government after 1821. They are all near the state’s southern border, with three lying in the San Luis Valley and five sharing territory with New Mexico. Land grants in Colorado and throughout the southwestern United States have fostered shared identity, cultural heritage, and conflict that extend into present-day debates about race, language, ancestry, and land ownership...." Read the rest of the article @ Colorado Encyclopedia

#sanluisvalley #mysticsanluisvalley #

Stony Pass Road - Lost Trail Ranch

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 22:23:39 GMT

Stony Pass Road. Photo Credit: Robert Thigpen
"Lost Trail Ranch was established in 1877 as a way station and resupply spot along Stony Pass Road from the San Luis Valley to the mining camps of the San Juan Mountains . Located at an elevation of 9,800 feet along the Rio Grande, the way station served travelers until the early 1880s, when traffic declined after the first railroad reached Silverton . The area became a popular summer cattle pasture site before being developed in the early 1920s as a dude ranch. Since then the property has offered guest lodging and outdoor recreation while continuing to be used for summer livestock grazing." Read the rest of the article @ Colorado Encyclopedia

#stoneypassroad #delnorte #sanjuanmountains #silverton #riograndecounty #losttrailranch

San Luis Valley

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:36:58 GMT

Sandhill Cranes. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. Photo Credit: Yongli Zhou
"Covering nearly 8,000 square miles in southern Colorado, the San Luis Valley is the largest valley in the state and the largest high-altitude alpine desert in North America. Known as “the Valley” by locals and other Coloradans, the San Luis Valley is bordered by the Sangre de CristoMountains to the east, the Sawatch Mountains to the north, the San Juan Mountains to the west, and the Rio Grande Valley of northern New Mexico to the south. The San Luis Valley has a population of about 16,550 and encompasses six counties: Alamosa , Creede, Conejos , Costilla , Rio Grande , and Saguache ...." Read the rest of the article at ... Colorado Encyclopedia

Photo credit: Yongli Zhou

#sanluisvalley #mysticsanluisvalley #coloradoencyclopedia #montevistawildliferefuge #sandhillcranes

A Women’s History Month Presentation: Jefas, Leaders, and all-Around Bosses

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:39:59 GMT

Posting on behalf of the
Rural Women Led Business Fund

"We would like to invite you to some exciting free programming being hosted by the Rural Women Led Business Fund! Next week we are hosting A Women’s History Month Presentation: Jefas, Leaders, and all-Around Bosses presented by Dr. Mari Centeno. In partnership with Adams State University. Please see the attached flyers in Spanish and English.

¡Nos gustaría invitarla a una emocionante programación gratuita organizada por el Fondo Empresarial Dirigido por Mujeres Rurales! La semana que viene presentaremos la Presentación del Mes de la Historia de la Mujer: Jefas, líderes y jefes integrales presentada por la Dra. Mari Centeno. En asociación con Adams State University. Consulte los folletos adjuntos en español e inglés.

Event description: Imagine if you had to ask your 17-year old son to co-sign your business loan? Dr. L. Mari Centeno is a professor of Political Science and Women’s Studies at Adams State University. She specializes in the study of women’s mobilization in Latin America and heads the University’s Women’s and Gender Studies program. She is a proud Latina mother, teacher, activist, and occasional scholar. You can also hear her on her podcast about women and politics—UNRULY. During this Women’s History Month event, Mari Centeno will discuss the history and present of women’s leadership and entrepreneurship."

Date: Friday, March 19th 2021, 5:00-6:30 pm

Where: Zoom Meeting

Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvcuyrqjouEtY6ts-f0ttY39ffvALgeTeM

Presentado por el Fondo Empresarial Dirigido por Mujeres Rurales

Evento: Presentación del Mes de la Historia de la Mujer: Jefas, líderes y jefes integrales

"Descripción del evento: ¿Imagínese si tuviera que pedirle a su hijo de 17 años que firmara conjuntamente su préstamo comercial? La Dra. L. Mari Centeno es profesora de Ciencias Políticas y Estudios de la Mujer en Adams State University. Se especializa en el estudio de la movilización de mujeres en América Latina y dirige el programa de Estudios de la Mujer y Género de la Universidad. Es una orgullosa madre latina, maestra, activista y académica ocasional. También puede escucharla en su podcast sobre mujeres y política: UNRULY. Durante este evento del Mes de la Historia de la Mujer, Mari Centeno discutirá la historia y el presente del liderazgo y el espíritu empresarial de las mujeres."

Fecha: Viernes 19 de marzo de 2021, 5: 00-6: 30 pm

Road Trip Loop: See Colorado on this 10-day itinerary!

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 15:56:28 GMT

USA Today has put together an extensive circular road trip taking in much of Colorado including our slice of Southern Colorado. The trip includes a stop in Antonito, a trade on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, and an overnight at the Indiana Jones Bed and Breakfast. As you are cruising along the roads you'll be passing through the historic towns of Manassa, San Luis, Fort Garland, Walsenburg, on portions of the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and History Byway , and the Highway of Legends Scenic and Historic Byway . If you are taking this trip during the summer make sure to stop in at the Conejos County Museum , Jack Dempsey Museum , Sangre de Cristo Cultural Center , Fort Garland Museum, Museum of Friends , Walsenburg Mining Museum, Huerfano Historical Society .

You'll also be traveling along other scenic byways as well including - Tracks Across Borders , San Juan Skyway , Trail of the Ancients.

" Experience Colorado from top to bottom with this full Colorado loop, a 10-day road trip that will take you from Northern Colorado through Southern Colorado and back up north. And since this trip is set up as a loop, you can start at any point in the loop and circle back around. Note: This drive does include mountain driving and roads that may be difficult or closed during winter, so plan accordingly." USA Today

Check all the details of the USA Today

# USAToday
#ColoradoScenicByways
#MysticSanLuisValley
# TracksAcrossBorders
# LosCaminosAntiguosScenicByway
# HighwayofLegendsScenicByway
# SanJuanSkyway
#I ndianaJonesBedandBreakfast

Rio Grande County Museum Newsletter March - April 2021

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 15:43:49 GMT

Mission Statement

Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural preserves Rio Grande County’s memory
as a teacher and champion of its heritage for the citizens of Rio Grande County.

The Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center enriches people’s lives by helping them to understand Rio Grande County’s past, to appreciate the present and to embrace the future.

There is hope on the horizon for a better year in 2021 than 2020. The museum will be looking forward to again being able to be open with less restrictions and have some events. The “Holiday at the Museum” 2nd Annual art show was successful and planning for the 3rd Annual art show is taking place. There were fourteen artists in the show, two of whom were students. The art show had more sales this year than last. People were shopping at home and helping to support the local artists and the museum. We are all thankful for that support. On January 26th the museum was featured as the program for the Monte Vista. A great opportunity to let the community know what we are doing.

As we look forward, the focus on student and young people is continuing. April 28th the second annual Del Norte School art show will open with work from Kindergarten through High School being shown. The reception may have to be modified to be within Covid guidelines, but the show will go on!! It will run for two weeks so there will be time for parents, families and the community members to drop in and see what our children are doing. 2

A young man from Del Norte will be working with the museum staff to put up the World War II exhibit. He will bring an aspect to the exhibit which will not only show his art work, but bring a different perceptive as a young person interested in the history of this period of time.

Joseph Hunter Trujillo

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My name is Joseph Hunter Trujillo. I was born on the 27th of October, 2006 in Alamosa, Colorado to Leroy J. Trujillo and Kathryn Trujillo. I was born with a full head of dark hair and brown almond shaped eyes. I was a whopping 8 ½ pounds which shocked the doctor and the nurses especially because they had told my mother they were sure I was going to a be a 6 pound baby. I am a native to Del Norte, Colorado as is my father. My mother was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico before marrying my father and coming to Colorado. My family has a rich history in the San Luis Valley and dedication to the country. Raymond Trujillo is my great -great uncle and his name is on the brass plaque in the Rio Grande County House and in the story of the military deaths in Rio Grande County done by the museum staff. Both of my great grandfathers are buried at the local cemetery with military headstones. My mother’s father with his seven brothers all served in a different branch of the service and were discharged with honors.

I was born a middle child with an older brother who took after my grandfather and father with the name of Leroy. My sister, Julia, is 3 years younger. She was named after Julia Roberts who my mother loved since she was a child. I started enjoying and creating art at a very young age. I attended the Del Norte Head Start at the age of 3. I wasn’t content being at school so arrangements were made for me to attend half days. I was lucky enough to have a stay at home mother at that age and I was glad to be home with her the rest of the day. I began building with blocks, 3 drawing and painting. I found that I was pretty good at it and it gradually turned into a passion of mine.

I don’t remember the first time I drew a picture about the military or how my fascination with the service started, but I have quite a collection of artifacts at home. I would beg my parents for airplanes, plastic army men and tanks to play with as young as age 5. I told anyone who listen that I was going to join the Army and I dressed up as a service member for Halloween for at least nine years. My drawing has continued and expanded into painting, wood work, stop motion movies and 3D printing. I have volunteered for the VFW to help hand out pin wheels for the 4th of July Parade, visited at Home Lake and still have intentions of joining the service.

I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase my work at the Rio Grande County Museum in Del Norte. I have only previously had my art on display during the school art show. In 2017 I won 2nd place in the San Luis Valley Conservation poster contest which consisted of ten schools in the valley competing to win the contest.
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The WWII Tribute at the museum is more meaningful than any other art presentation I have participated in because of my passion for the subject. I hope this inspires other to pursue their pass and live life to the fullest.
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Download and read the rest of the newsletter here:...lots more to enjoy!

M12 STUDIO announces a new award to further support the Landlines Initiative in Colorado’s rural San Luis Valley!

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 15:47:36 GMT

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $84 million in grants as part of the Arts Endowment’s second major funding announcement for the fiscal year 2020. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award to M12 STUDIO for our Landlines Initiative. This is one of 1015 grants nationwide that the agency has approved in this category.

“These awards demonstrate the resilience of the arts in America, showcasing not only the creativity of their arts projects but the organizations’ agility in the face of a national health crisis,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “We celebrate organizations like M12 STUDIO for providing opportunities for learning and engagement through the arts in these times.”

Additionally, M12 STUDIO is thankful for the support from our neighbors at Arts in Society and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

About the M12 STUDIO Landlines Initiative:
Landlines is a two-year interdisciplinary art initiative developed by M12 STUDIO in order to stimulate collaborative projects between M12 and visiting researchers, artists, and writers. The initiative is focused on Colorado’s rural San Luis Valley and additionally partners with citizens, farmers, ranchers, and landowners in the area to create site-specific artworks, events, and art publications. The research, events, and artworks produced draw on a range of interests and expertise including architecture, agriculture, history, photography, physiogeography, traditional and contemporary community life, and environmental phenomena.

With Gratitude,
M12 STUDIO
More news coming soon! Make sure to check back in!
While you are waiting check out their ongoing project:
Conejos Fieldwork Site at Rancho la Florida. La Florida, Conejos County (outside of Antonito), CO
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"The Conejos Fieldwork Site is located outside of Antonito, Colorado, on a 10-acre historic adobe ranch between the Rio Grande river and BLM land. The site is part of a multi-generation family ranch of nearly 500 acres, where the Rael family grows hay, grazes cattle, manages historic acequias, and preserves historic adobe structures." read more...

Preserving our Dark Skies

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 16:03:59 GMT

The sky is filled with stars, as seen from Windy Point on Slumgullion Pass in the San Juan Mountains on Jan. 13, 2021. The winter constellation Orion is in the middle of the photo but is hard to see amidst all of the other stars visible in the night sky. The trees are lit from the headlights of a car.
San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado making history with our Dark Skies...

"SLUMGULLION PASS — Silent stars sparkle across the night sky and reflect off alpine snowfields like scattered diamonds, a treasure southwestern [all of Southern] Colorado towns are mobilizing to protect as never before by declaring dark zones.

Celestial views from remote spots, such as this pass at 11,530 feet in the San Juan Mountains, measure almost totally free of the artificial light that increasingly blots out starry skies in cities worldwide."

Read more at:
https://www.greeleytribune.com/2021/01/17/colorado-dark-skies-preservation/

#crestone #lakecity #creede #laveta #westcliffe #coloradostargazing #mysticsanluisvalley

The Return of Orlando Lujan Martinez

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:09:39 GMT

Reprinting of article, "The Return of Orlando Lujan Martinez" by A. Rooney from the Summer/Fall 1983 issue of Alma Magazine

After 52 years in Denver's penetrating, inner city atmosphere of parking lots, bail bondsmen, crime and pollution, Orlando Lujan Martinez and his 80-year-old father packed their goods and left their downtown digs headed for el Valle de San Luis.

His new home in Alamosa was at once familiar and comforting. It was, he said, as if he had finally come home. Although Orlando was born and raised in Denver, both parents were from the Valley, many of his relatives were living here and he had heard about and visited the great San Luis Valley all his life.

As an architectural illustrator in Denver, Orlando was an artist in search of a theme. Since his arrival in the Valley, he has found a wealth of subject matter in people and places that make up his rediscovered home. His medium, watercolor, suits not only the flavor of the Hispanic culture, but also his own philosophy and lifestyle.

Most of his Valley scenes are gentle still lifes of adobe houses, churches and villages with either the Sangre de Cristos or the San Juans as a backdrop. Occasionally, such as the cover watercolor of the "Count of Costilla County," he paints people. "The Count" has a surrealistic quality, yet it still manages to capture, primarily through the use of black-and-white, the essence and character of a southern Colorado Hispanic gentleman.

Surprisingly, Orlando ranks his art as secondary in his life. His love of nature and his affection for people are primary. He is fascinated by people and is continually amazed at the beauty in and around the Valley.
Picture
by - Orlando Lujan Martinez

With just the slightest provocation, in the style of a grand storyteller, he embellishes the sights and sounds of his world and recites passages from the collected works of his deeds and misdeeds.

"People sometimes can't understand me," he said, because I'm different, unique." His uniqueness is immediately apparent in his speech and mannerisms. He punctuates his words with broad hand gestures and phrases such as, "Get that!" Contrary to his own perceptions of himself, he is a holdover from the Beat Generation and could well have been one of Kerouac's cohorts. He is a refreshing anachronism.

Orlando's art education is a mixed bag of street and academic training. In Denver he lived just two blocks from the Denver Art Museum. His first memorable art experience came at seven years old.

"Me and a friend, Freddie Kramer, use to go up to the fourth floor of the Art Museum and look at paintings. Freddie and I use to sit hypnotized in front of the paintings, especially this one, Winslow Homer's 'Gulf Stream.' That was my first real relationship with art. I realized then he was a great artist. That painting, I think, is now in the Chicago Institute of Art."

His formal training as an artist came at the University of Colorado, Rocky Mountain School of Art and the Colorado Institute of Art. His informal training came on the streets of Denver through the traditional vices of street life. Orlando says it was his Spanish-Tewa Indian heritage and his own self-regard that prevented him from joining many of his friends in the gutter. Also, five years ago, he passed through the San Luis Valley and felt a need to paint and preserve what he saw. It was only a matter of time before he returned to stay.

Picture
Orlando Lujan Martinez. Photo by A. Rooney
PictureOrland Lujan Martinez. Photo by A. Rooney

"As an artist," he said, "I have a need to be recognized by my friends and respected by other artists. I've experienced nothing but good luck since coming to the Valley. I'm not a great materialist. I have a need to work with and serve people."

Orlando is currently teaching watercolor classes through Alamosa School District's Community Education program. His studio is located on the second floor of the Chamber of Commerce Building at Cole Park. One-man shows of his work are scheduled this summer June 13-24 at the Hatfield Gallery at Adams State College; July 4-16 at the Creede Repertory Theatre; and August 4-12 at the Rio Grande Arts Center Gallery.

________________________________

Reprinting of article, "The Return of Orlando Lujan Martinez" from the Summer/Fall 1983 issue of Alma Magazine by A. Rooney

Where Was Iceville?

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:06:32 GMT

By P.R. "Bob" Griswold

Perhaps it would be better to ask, "What was Iceville?" The name would imply that Iceville was a pleasant but cold little town with the usual shops along Main Street surrounded by a small residential section similar to most towns in the San Luis Valley.

Before 1930 there was no Iceville, and Iceville never was a town, just a place. This place began on July L 7, 1930, when the Trinchera Irrigation District, which included the Blanca area and which owned Smith Reservoir on Trinchera Creek, granted A. W. Olsen and W. W McClintock the right to cut ice on Smith Reservoir. The Irrigation District leased these two gentlemen land at the west end of the reservoir on which to build an ice storage house.

The year 1930 was in the period when vegetables of all kinds were grown throughout the San Luis Valley for shipment to the major markets in the Midwest. The object of the deal with Olsen and McClintock was to furnish ice for the refrigerator cars loaded on the San Luis Valley Southern Railway which passed Smith Reservoir just a short distance to the west. On August 27, 1930, Olsen and McClintock entered into a contract with the San Luis Valley Southern to build the icehouse and to build a siding to it. At this time the San Luis Valley Southern Railway established the station known as Iceville 3.3 miles south of Blanca, but Iceville was not a town.

Excerpt for the San Luis Valley Historical Society - Historian - Volume 21, Issue 4, 1989
Email: general@slvhistoricalsociety.org
www.facebook.com/SLVHistoricalSociety

Aspen Creek Sawmill School

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 16:12:03 GMT

School class photo that is featured on the 1985 SLV Historian, Volume 17, Issue 4

Aspen Creek Sawmill School, 1929-1931

Back row (L to R): unknown, Ethyl Franks, Margaret Black, Albert Lenew,
unknown, George franks, and teacher Ruth Denton.
Front row: P. Nations, Daniel Nations, unknown, Barney Black,
Rob Nations, unknown, unknown.
"Aspen Creek Sawmill School, also known as "W. R. Black Sawmill School," was established by Ernest and Barney Black's father, W. R. Black, who had a school built for his sawmill camp in the fall of 1928 due to the problem of transportation of the camp's schoolchildren to Del Norte.

This school was located west on Highway 160 from Del Norte, turning left onto Pinos Creek (County Road 14) for approximately twelve miles to where a locked metal gate and dirt road can be seen on the right side of Pinos Creek Road. The Aspen Creek School and sawmill were located about two more miles up this small dirt road, winding south and west from the locked gate, on the west branch of Pinos Creek. The one-room, frame school was perched on a little hill about three hundred yards northeast of the sawmill and close to the junction of the two creeks. The schoolhouse is no longer there, and the land belongs to the Forest Service." by Joan Pace Hanna in her article titled "Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic in the Early Rural Schools of Del Norte (Part 3)

Thimble, Thimble, Who has the Thimble!

Sat, 02 Jan 2021 16:14:00 GMT

"For years I have been collecting thimbles, beginning with ones from my family. The idea came to me of making an historical collection within my personal collection. These thimbles, which belong or have belonged to pioneer ladies in the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, I can enjoy now. They are to be placed in the Saguache County Museum at my death. Information, when available, is listed on a card for each lady whose thimble is in the small type drawer, housing forty-two thimbles.

Thimbles of aluminum, china, silver, gold, copper, brass, plastic, and steel; advertising, jeweled, and children's thimbles all are there.

One of the oldest appearing thimbles was found up Taylor Canyon by Jerry and Kenola Wintz in 1971 in the ruins of a homestead. The thimble has been bent and burned, but I treasure it, for its owner was no doubt the pioneer lady Taylor.

Many of the thimbles have been given me by the ladies themselves, while others have been given me by members of their families. I purchased only one of these historical thimbles.

How nice it will be for future generations to be able to locate and see an ancestor's sewing thimble in the museum in Saguache and perhaps add some personal information to the cards there. If anyone would like to place a lady's thimble in this collection, please contact me at Villa Grove, Colorado. Thimbles are easy to mail and easily lost in a home environment. In the museum they will be permanently on display for everyone's enjoyment. "

Elaine Woodard
Villa Grove, Colorado

Article originally ran in the 1985 SLV Historian, Volume 17, Issue 1

Update on this collection -- The Saguache County Museum has a nice display of Mrs. Woodard's Thimble collection that includes origin stories for the thimbles. The museum is hoping to open for the 2021 Memorial Day Weekend. Read more about the museum, its collection and the history of Saguache County @ Saguache County Museum's webpage.

Rio Grande County Museum Newsletter

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:16:09 GMT

"As the year of 2020 comes to an end, it is time to thank those who have supported Rio Grande County Museum with financial donations, their taking time to visit and share their memories and see what the Museum has to offer over the past several years. We fail to mention the importance of the artifact donations that continue to be received. These items are what gives us the collections that can be utilized in displays and used to continue history. These donations become the archives that are so important to the history of the area." read more...
riograndemuseum-xmasltr-2020.pdf
Download File

"Valley Holidays Rich in Customs, Sharing and Food"

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:19:52 GMT

Reflections, remembrances and traditional southwestern recipes

Story and photographs by Marilyn Maquire

"San Luis Valley nights have grown long and the smell of pinyon smoke floats in the sharp, cold night air. The holiday season is upon us. While much of the country 1s planning for the Christmas turkey and singing "Silent Night," kitchens across the Southwest are rich with the smells of posole, red chile sauce, biscochitos, and empanadas, and the soft sounds of "Vamos Todos a Belen" ("Let's Go to Bethlehem") and "Noche de Paz" ("Silent Night") fill the churches." ....

Reprinting of article from the 1983/84 Winter/Spring issue of ALMA magazine - the Magazine of the San Luis Valley

Read the full story and recipes by downloading the PDF
article-holiday_traditions-alma-magazine-1983-84-winter-spring.pdf
Download File

Latinos in Boulder County, CO 1900-1980

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:22:27 GMT

Latinos in Boulder County, Colorado 1900-1980 Vol 1; History and Contributions

[with many genealogical connections back to the San Luis Valley]

by
Marjorie K. McIntosh
Distinguished Professor of History Emerita University of Colorado at Boulder

Picture
Excerpt from the Latinos in Boulder County, CO 1900-1980

"Since the beginning of the twentieth century, people from Spanish- speaking backgrounds have played essential roles in Boulder County, Colorado. Immigrants from Mexico, northern New Mexico, and southern Colorado provided much of the labor that fueled two of eastern Boulder County’s main economic activities prior to around 1940: growing and processing sugar beets; and coal mining. Work in the beet fields required men, women, and children to stay in a stooped position, using short- handled tools, for hours at a time, often under a hot sun. The housing provided for agricultural laborers was generally deplorable. Coal miners engaged in physically demanding and potentially dangerous work in dark tunnels, always facing the possibility of cave-ins or explosions. Some of their families lived in camps next to the mines, with company stores where purchases for food and other supplies were deducted from miners’ wages. Although Hispanics faced overt racism especially in the 1920s and 1930s—with armed attacks on their unions, threats of violence from the Ku Klux Klan, exclusion from stores and restaurants, and mass deportation orders—they held together in strong families and maintained their faith that life in this region offered a brighter future for themselves and their children. In the decades between 1940 and 1980, access to education and better employment options contributed to ongoing immigration and brought many Boulder County Latinas/os into the wider community, where they continued to make valuable contributions. Returning veterans in the 1940s and 1950s and Chicano civil rights activists in the later 1960s and 1970s took the lead in tackling discrimination. Latino culture expanded the horizons of a predominantly Anglo county."

This two-volume set describes the history of Latinas/os living in Boulder County between 1900 and 1980"....

To read the complete edition of Volume 1 - Read more

Written for:
Boulder County Latino History Project
With assistance from: Longmont Museum
Endorsed by: Department of Ethnic Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder

3D Printed Adobe

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:25:08 GMT

"In the middle of Colorado’s San Luis Valley [in Antonito], a progressive architecture and design firm is proving that everything old is new again. Also, that the future is mud."

"Combining indigenous mud-based building materials with 21st century robotics, California-based Rael San Fratello created the oddly beautiful structures of “Casa Covida,” their “proto-architectures” that connect high- and low-tech traditions. Its name is a nod to both the pandemic and the Spanish word for “cohabitation.”

"The project recently took a virtual bow in an impressive hour-long event hosted by the Architectural League NY . (The video is online.) The partners, Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello, spoke from Antonito, in southern Colorado, and took questions about their work and about “the social agency of design.”

Read more at The Colorado Sun

Video -- Gather round the hearth in Rael San Fratello's Casa Covida, a house made from 3D-printed mud.

Pagosa’s Past: Pagosa Springs was on the rise

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 16:41:41 GMT

By John M. Motter
PREVIEW Columnist

John R. Curry, editor of Silverton’s newspaper, published a letter written from Pagosa Springs in March of 1881. It said, in part, “Pagosa Springs, the largest, hottest, and most singularly curious hot springs of their class in the world, are no longer isolated, as they have been in times past, shut off from the great traveling thoroughfares of the country by a formidable range of mountains, a trip across which any season of the year, by such conveyances as were available, was unpleasant and tedious to the extreme.

“Now these difficulties have been overcome by the approach of the Denver and Rio Grande railroad, which was extended over the range in question and has a station at Chama only forty-five miles distant from the Springs.

“J. L. Sanderson and Co. and Wall and Witter have established lines of coaches between Chama and Durango, the flourishing city of the Animas Valley … This has given initiative to hotels and building houses … persons coming here now to see these wonderful springs and to bathe in their benefit-giving waters, can feel assured that comfortable lodging will be provided and something to eat at reasonable prices.”

The letter was a response to Curry’s unfavorable article the previous fall, when he reported traveling through Pagosa Springs. He chose to journey by freight wagon along the road between Silverton and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad ending atop Cumbres Pass [in the San Luis Valley].

Of Pagosa Springs, he said, “At Pagosa Springs, there are at present very slim hotel accommodations; it is certainly the best point for someone to locate and erect a hotel of 30 or 40 rooms that we know of in southwestern Colorado.” He stayed overnight at the “Hotel de Blair.”

By May of 1881, Pagosa Springs could boast of its first public bath house, a frame building erected by Thomas Blair. It had a large plunge bath, fully 4.5 feet deep, and several single bath tubs, sufficient to accommodate all visitors. Pagosa Springs was on the rise.

#sanluisvalley #slv #mysticsanluisvalley #cumbrespass #johnmotter

article originally published in the Pagosa Springs Sun newspaper

Bone appétit: The story of Alferd Packer, Colorado’s most infamous, yet beloved, cannibal

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 16:39:03 GMT

By Stephanie Butzer
The Denver Channel

As the first fingers of spring started to peel back winter’s hold in 1874, a man staggered out of the mountains and into Lake City, ready to spill a story — or two, or three — that few would believe. He’d quickly become known as the Colorado Cannibal.

It’s a tale as puzzling as it is horrific, and somehow, from the safe distance of about 150 years, humor has wiggled its way in.

His name was Alferd Packer.

Recognize the name, or perhaps know his story? He became somewhat of a Colorado celebrity in the mid-1900s, when you could find the Packer name in everything from a wilderness cookbook title to a festival name to a musical created by CU Boulder students. People learned of his story and instead of turning away in disgust, they leaned into it. Unabashedly embraced it.

An article from April 1984 in The Washington Pos t captured the absurdity in one of its opening paragraphs: “In the days before bean sprouts and granola, when the West was raw and men ate men, Packer chewed his way into the hearts of Coloradans by devouring five gold-seeking companions.”
Of course, under the silliness is the much darker story of how those five men met their horrific demise in the freezing, lonely mountains.

The particulars around what actually happened are foggy at best. Packer was the only one from the group to live to tell the tale and he told several. And those details are now buried — and in some instances, altered — under 150 years of history. To dig up what happened, we turned to the details in official court documents and the ink-smudged columns of the local newspapers, both from the late 1800s.

These documents have preserved countless moments from the case, such as Packer’s statement about his alleged crimes as he stood in front of a courthouse packed with people who were no doubt fascinated that a cannibal was in their midst and wondering if he’d get his just desserts.

Even in those moments, just before his sentencing, it was not absolutely certain if Packer had planned to eat the men through a twisted, murderous mind or if it just unfolded that way in an equally desperate and reluctant struggle for survival.

But either way, he had surely bit off more than he could chew.

Introducing Alferd Packer, Colorado’s Cannibal

Packer’s story starts in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. According to the April 20, 1883 edition of the Lake City Mining Register, he was born on Jan. 31, 1842, though other reports list his birthdate as Nov. 21 of that year.

Andrew Gulliford, a professor of southwest studies and history at Fort Lewis College in Durango, said Packer was “a little bit of a drifter” and possibly a Civil War veteran. The Washington Post wrote in a June 8, 1989 article that Packer was discharged from the Union Army in 1862 for epilepsy. While he re-enlisted in another regime, he was discharged for the same reason, according to the City of Littleton.

In an unproven story, but one widely spread, a young Packer visited a tattoo artist who made the permanent error of inking “Alferd” instead of “Alfred” on Packer’s skin. He apparently embraced the typo and ended up adopting the name, though his first name, legally, remained Alfred, per court records.

Between 1863 and 1873, Packer moved west to pursue multiple jobs varying from hunting and trapping to guiding and mining, according to the Hinsdale County Museum in Lake City.

Gulliford said Packer was just one of the thousands of drifters who decided to embark on that journey.

In his early 30s, Packer volunteered to guide a group of 21 men through the Rocky Mountains starting in the area around Salt Lake City, Utah, despite having no weapons, little food or provisions, and limited skills. Reports vary on their final destination — most reports say they were bound for the Los Piños Indian Agency outside Saguache, others say they were headed for present-day Breckenridge.
They were set to start the long journey late in 1873.

Just in time for a nightmarish snowstorm.

‘Then, we gave up to die’

Packer’s stories start about the same — all of them.

He led the group to Ute Indian Chief Ouray’s winter camp near modern-day Montrose, arriving in late January 1874, according to the Hinsdale County Museum.

Knowing another party had left the camp and successfully made it to Los Piños Indian Agency, Packer said he thought his group could do the same. Only five others decided to take the risk with him. Those men were Frank Miller, Wilson Bell, James Humphreys, George Noon and Israel Swan.

The six men took advantage of Chief Ouray’s shelter and food for a few days and left to continue the journey in early February 1874.

It was the last time five of those men were seen alive.

On April 16, 1874, as winter gave way to spring, Packer emerged from the mountains, according to reports in the Lake City Mining Register. He was alone.

Read more...

Pleas and Petitions: Hispano Culture and Legislative Conflict in Territorial Colorado

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 16:45:04 GMT

In her recently released book, Virginia Sanchez presents new information about early Southern Colorado during the territorial period (1861-1876). She discusses little-known topics such as political obstacles, cultural conflicts, and institutional racism experienced by Hispano legislators. She also answers the question, “Why does Colorado appear as a square state on the U.S. map?”

The two Hispano territorial assemblymen elected in Colorado’s first election in 1861 found it difficult to create opportunity and a better life for their Spanish-speaking constituents. The essential House Rules that explain the procedures used in the Territorial House of Representatives, were not translated into Spanish and there was no interpreter available to them when they arrived in Chamber. Further, the territorial statutes, were not published in Spanish until 1864. This meant these U.S. citizens living in the southern Spanish-speaking counties were not informed of the new laws and the reasons for the several new taxes imposed upon them.

Nearly 7,000 Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens from northern New Mexico Territory woke up on Feb. 28, 1861 to discover they were now in the newly created Colorado Territory. These citizens were accustomed to a bilingual legislative assembly in New Mexico’s Territorial Legislature that had the office of official translator for the monolingual English legislators and a budget for legislative printing.

Colorado Territory was scrambling to pass laws and enact taxes without the full representation from Conejos, Costilla and Huerfano counties – the three southern counties of the time. Sanchez also includes a biography of the early Hispano legislators and introduces new historical research about the violence against Hispanos, including the Espinoza brothers who were named mass murders in 1862.

The book, Pleas and Petitions: Hispano Culture and Legislative Conflict in Territorial Colorado, is the first in-depth history of Hispano sociopolitical life during this period. Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Senator, and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar wrote the foreword to the book. “Until Virginia’s book, no other author has explained the early territorial law from the Hispanos’ point of view… Her story tells us that [the Hispanos annexed to Colorado Territory] wanted to be returned to New Mexico; however, Congress and the territorial executives would not hear their pleas.” In his review of the book, former State Historian William Convery wrote, “Sanchez given Spanish-speaking leaders their overdue credit for fighting for Hispano rights and contributing the creation of Colorado.”

Sanchez is an independent scholar who lives in Denver. She was preparing a book signing of Pleas and Petitions in Conejos and Alamosa when the Covid pandemic struck. This is her second book about Colorado’s Territorial Period, and it was published last March by the University of Colorado Press. An article she co-authored about the 7,000 Hispanos who were “displaced in place” won a monetary prize as best article published in 2018 by the New Mexico Historical Review. Her book, Pleas and Petitions, is available from local and online booksellers.

Monte Vista Journal , published Nov 3, 2020

Looking to purchase her book: https://www.thriftbooks.com/a/virginia-sanchez/1906181/

#VirginiaSanchez #hispanoculture #ColoradoTerritorialPeriod #PleasandPetitions

Holiday at the Museum

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 15:47:22 GMT

The Second Annual “Holiday at the Museum” art show will start on November 14, 2020 with an opening reception from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. pending further developments of the COVID situation in the San Luis Valley and Rio Grande County.

Several well known artists from the San Luis Valley will be showing their work. These artists include Mary Susan Eldridge, Albert Kahan, Martha Ann Kennedy, Craig Lehman, Laura Lunsford, Cathy Morin, Jeannie Lynn Norwood, John Patterson, Marian Schlaugbaum, Evelyn Sprouse-Rowe and Darwin Thompson. Chelle Wiescamp has joined the group this year along with the addition of student artists, Kami Humphreys and Jayden Powell-Gates who will be making their art show debuts.

The show will continue through the months of November and December. It is an opportunity to support our local art community as well as giving a unique present. The Museum Gift Shop is also open with local jeweler, Patty Pogue, Alex Colville and Jean Hanna showing their work.

Rio Grande County Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte. The hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847, email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org or follow us on Facebook. Masks are required to enter the museum, but are not provided.

#evelynsprouserowe #marysusaneldridge #albertkahan #marthaannkennedy #craiglehman
#sanluisvalley #mysticsanluisvalley #lauralunsford #cathymorin #jeannielynnnorwood #johnpatterson
#sanluisvalleyartists #marianschlaugbaum #darwinthompson

Chief Ouray: A leader caught in the middle

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 15:50:45 GMT

By Carolyn Snowbarger , Ouray County Plaindealer

"Chief Ouray was born near Taos, New Mexico, in 1833 during the Leonid meteor shower. “Ouray” means “arrow” in the Ute language, and this moniker proved appropriate and even prophetic.

His father, Guera Murah, was Jicarilla Apache, and his mother was a member of the Uncompaghre Ute band. He didn’t grow up with his parents. A neighboring Spanish family raised him, and he spoke both Spanish and English in the home and was educated by Catholic friars. He spent much of his youth working for Mexican sheepherders and fighting against the war ring Sioux and Kiowa.. Read more...

The Monte Vista Historical Society has annual meeting

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 15:52:45 GMT

(left to right) Peg Schall, Kay Campbell, Laurie Ellithorpe McClung, Gene Farish and Jerry Clare. Some of the members of the Monte Vista historical society who attended their yearly meeting

by Rebecca Copley, Monte Vista Journal

MONTE VISTA - The Monte Vista Historical Society gathered for their annual meeting Oct. 7. The weather was lovely for the outdoor socially distanced event. They did not have enough members present at the meeting to elect two new persons to the board of directors. However, Peg Schall was able to read the annual report. Schall reported to those present the following:

“Due to the COVID-19 virus the activities for the past year have been minimal. During the winter months the history center has had no water. Freezing was suspected, and the bathroom was heated. The public works department was able to remedy the situation, and we are most grateful.

The photo albums and computer were moved to the Transportation Museum the Fall with the intention to work on them during the winter and spring. Again, due to the virus it was thought safer to keep both the History Center and Transportation Museum closed for the 2020 season. Both the Colorado Wyoming Association of Museums and various women’s suffrage events were canceled.

Reading of the Monte Vista Journals to update the “Bridge to Yesterday,” book continues. Inquiries for family information or locations of certain buildings have been answered. Cooperation with individuals seeking photos for historical presentations continues. Playing cards are for sale at the Chamber of Commerce and the Monte Vista Coop.

A book about the Teft family, a history of Creede, and a Swoop of Cranes (book), have been donated to the museums. Tourist maps feature an ad for the Historical Society and are available here today.

Thanks to the Carnegie Public Library for its assistance throughout the year, and a big thanks to all the volunteers and board members. Board members are Kay Campbell, Laurie Ellithorpe McClung, Tami Fassett, Wanda Hawman, Norma Valdez and Peg Schall.”

After the report was given attendees were able to look at the commemorative Swoop of Cranes book which was given to the Historical Society by the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce.

Rio Grande County Museum reopens!

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:04:47 GMT

Slumgullion Dark Sky Park

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:01:53 GMT

by Phil Virden

I am an amateur astronomer and part of a small team that was successful in receiving a recent dark sky designation for the Slumgullion Dark Sky Park, a parcel of land near Lake City which belongs to the Lake Fork Valley Conservancy. With this good news, we are already making plans for astronomy/stargazing programs in 2021 (assuming things settle down with the pandemic by then).

We will strive to do our part to be good stewards for preserving dark skies, and actively promote ways to prevent light pollution with people living and visiting Colorado.

We are deeply appreciative of so many of helping us out these last few years. We are but a few volunteers so we will continue to need all the help we can receive.

Read the Lake City article for more details...
slumgullion-lake-city-dark_skies.pdf
Download File

Colorado Stargazing Group Receives Award

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:11:19 GMT

The collaborative group - Colorado Stargazing - received the Outstanding Marketing award at the 2020 Colorado Governor's Annual Tourism Conference!

The project was a collaboration with the San Luis Valley Museum Association , Huerfano County Tourism, Custer County Tourism, and the Headwaters Alliance.

This first year's featured towns include: Creede, Lake City , La Veta , Cuchara, Westcliffe, Silver Cliff and Crestone .

Check out the Conference's featured video :

Can't wait to see what we can accomplish in 2021!

Spanish Peaks Country (Huerfano County Tourism)
Visit Wet Mountain Valley (Custer County)
Visit Creede
Headwaters Alliance

#coloradostargazing #stargazing #darkskies #sanluisvalley #mysticsanluisvalley

Leaf Peeping on Three Southern Colorado Byways

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 16:22:21 GMT

This project was a collaborative effort by the Highway of Legends Scenic and Historic Byway , Los Caminos Scenic and Historic Byway , the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway, the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area , and the San Luis Valley Museum Association .

#silverthreadscenicbyway #loscaminosantiguos #scenichighwayoflegends #scenicbyways #southerncolorado #sanluisvalley #spanishpeaks #creede #lakecitycolorardo #CDOT

Slumgullion: Colorado's natural 'lab' offers insights into landslides worldwide.

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:27:46 GMT

New COVID-19 and Women’s Vote Exhibits to virtually open on Friday September 11th at MoF

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 16:34:06 GMT

Museum of Friends (MoF) is pleased to announce that two new exhibits will open to the public on a Live Stream Facebook Event on Friday September 11th at 5 pm RMST. The exhibit on the 1st floor in the Changing Exhibition Gallery isCOVID-19 Crisis or Opportunity
Artists Response Group Exhibition runs through November 30th.

The opportunity is that the theme is creativity in the time of COVID-19. One that resonates with artists around the world. The works in the show do not necessarily represent images of the virus or its negative consequences, but the overflowing of creativity in this time of change. The theme attracted visual artists, sculptors, photographers and film-makers from many parts of the world: Sophia, Bulgaria; Edinburg, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Francisco and Oakland, California; New York, Philadelphia; Denver, Aquilar, Walsenburg, Trinidad and La Veta, Colorado; and many other locals.
Picture
The crisis is being shut in – isolated – separate from the camaraderie that we know of as the art community. The opportunity is the time it allotted us to think – to begin to see new ways of being. How we cope while staying safe and practicing healthy habits so that the virus will not overcome us is also a theme, we heard from many of our artists friends. There are so many emotions being expressed in this exhibit: fear, anxiety, hope, clarity. Some of the artists stuck with what they know – having more time – they even perfected their work further. The youngest artist in the show is Brandy Gilbert. Her works were inspired by found wood and the repetition of patterns. The other artists in the exhibit are: Linn Baker, Tim Baker, Brendt Berger, Ann Bradford, Maria Cocchiarelli, Ben Eagle, Ray Espinoza, P.D. Garrett, Archil Gheghechkori, Brandy Gilbert, Elizabeth Hansen, Kathy Hill, Jim Long, Chris MacMichael, Emily Nieswiadomy, Charles Parson, Collin Parson, Devon Parson, John Raggio, Brian Rosino, Lika Shubitidze, Gregory Tait, Miryana Todorova, Annamarie Trombetta, Paul Valadez, Gary Weston, Jan Wurm.

On the 2nd floor opening is Votes for Women: a Portrait of Persistence poster exhibition (livestream on Facebook 5:45 pm RMST.) This exhibit is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery. This project received support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative. The crusade for women's suffrage is one of the longest reform movements in American history. Between 1832 and 1920, women citizens organized for the right to vote, agitating first in their states or territories and then, simultaneously, through petitioning for a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Based on the National Portrait Gallery exhibition of the same name, Votes for Women seeks to expand visitors’ understanding of the suffrage movement in the United States. The poster exhibition addresses women's political activism, explores the racism that challenged universal suffrage, and documents the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment which prohibits the government from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote on the basis of sex. It also touches upon the suffrage movement's relevance to current conversations on voting and voting rights across America.

Museums of Friends
info@museumoffriends.org
600 Main Street
Walsenburg, CO. 81089
www.museumoffriends.org

New Website Launch for Museum of Friends

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 16:31:14 GMT

The Museum of Friends in collaboration with Zooma Design and Michelle Tschetter are launching a new website on Thursday September 10th, www.museumoffriends.org.

The newly designed interactive site will allow you to:

    book a tour (during COVID-19 by appointment only;
    purchase art in the Made in Walsenburg locally sourced giftshop on line;
    sign up for classes and programs by visiting the “calendar.”

On the new site you will also get to learn more about what MoF has accomplished since opening in 2005 by offering social engagement in Walsenburg and Huerfano County. You will see annual and biennial reports, videos produced during Artist in Residency programs and exhibitions; press articles and radio interviews; and the new audio/visual on line tour of selections from the permanent collection; the history of the historic Roof & Dick Building and the rehabilitation project and an array of beautifully designed graphic art.

Please send us an email to comment or offer suggestions for future programs and exhibitions. Remember we are here to serve you by working with you.

Contact: Maria Cocchiarelli
info@museumoffriends.org
600 Main Street
Walsenburg, CO. 81089
www.museumoffriends.org

Haunted Creede

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:38:26 GMT

Hot off the presses!

Haunted Creede by Kandra Payne

"Brave men and women came to seek their fortunes in the rough-and-tumble boomtown of Creede. Miners, merchants, dance hall girls, gunslingers and gamblers still haunt its streets and halls. How many ghosts are thought to haunt the historic Creede Hotel? How did the baddest man in camp meet his untimely end, and what do the old-timers say is buried under the floorboards at Freemon’s Ranch? What happened the night an actress from the Creede Repertory Theatre summoned a ghost to join her on stage? Author Kandra Payne matches fascinating historic details with spine-tingling tales to find out what made the Creede Camp one of the wildest and spookiest boomtowns in the West."

Check out the book trailer here .

Preorder now @: arcadiapublishing.com

About the Author: "Kandra Payne is a native of Creede, Colorado, and holds a degree in drama from the Colorado College. She worked six seasons at the Creede Repertory Theatre before becoming an equity stage manager. She’s lived and worked in most of the great cities of this country, including Chicago, Seattle, New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Now a resident of Santa Fe, she still spends her summers in Creede, telling ghost stories to just about anyone who will listen."

Those ghost stories have been a very popular event hosted by the Creede Historical Society & Museum and featuring Kandra. Check in next summer and get on the list for attending one of these ghostly adventures!

#ghoststories #kandrapayne #creede #creedecolorado #creedehistoricalsociety

A Colorado Natural Wonder

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 18:55:07 GMT

3 Scenic Byways: Short Walks, Long Views

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 19:55:57 GMT

Check our latest collaboration effort on a -- 3 Day, 3 Scenic Byways Itinerary -- that will take you through Trinidad, Stonewall, La Veta, Fort Garland, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Alamosa, and South Fork. And what is a driving tour without great food! Enjoy an abundance of locally owned and operated restaurants along your trip!

Scenic Byway itinerary:
Short Walks, Long Views - a 3-Day Itinerary on 3 Scenic Byways

Highlighting the Highway of Legends Scenic and Historic Byway , Los Caminos Scenic and Historic Byway , the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area , and the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway all along the MuseumTrail.org!

Keep checking back, more itineraries to come!!

Museums of Southern Colorado Opening Status

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 20:04:25 GMT

Kit Carson Controversy

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 20:19:24 GMT

Navigating the Night Sky

Fri, 15 May 2020 20:27:22 GMT

New Documentary Explores History and Culture Connecting Three National Heritage Areas

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 20:35:24 GMT

The Martinez brothers of Los Sauces (Lasauses), Colorado, are descended from generations of Hispanic ranchers, just one of the many cultural groups who lived or passed through the San Luis Valley. Photo courtesy Discovery Road Show

Headwaters Alliance is working to conserve the glorious night sky in Mineral County

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:46:05 GMT

On dark nights, most people in the world can only pick out a few lonely stars due to the rapid increase of global light pollution. However, on this cold night in Creede Colorado, I can pick out whole constellations in the glow of the full Snow Moon and snow-covered ground.

Light pollution is one of the easiest forms of pollution to solve, and the movement to protect and preserve the night sky is sweeping across the world. Southwestern Colorado is embracing this movement. Communities such as Westcliffe, and Silvercliffe, CO were the first in Colorado to earn Dark Sky designation, followed by Great Sand Dunes National Park being named a Dark Sky Reserve. Mineral County, facilitated by Headwaters Alliance, has joined with Custer County, Huerfano County and the Sand Luis Valley Museum Association to create the first dark sky tour of Colorado, branded Colorado Stargazing, with a grant award from the Colorado Tourism Office and led by Vista Works, Buena Vista, CO.

The inspiration for preserving the night sky in Mineral County began with Headwaters Alliance board member, Jan Crawford. Crawford spent the latter half of her adulthood protecting river fish species and habitats. Now retired, Crawford continues to look for ways to preserve the place she loves. She was first introduced to the work of the International Dark Sky Association at a Colorado Tourism Office workshop hosted by the San Luis Valley Museum Association . Crawford thought this would be a wonderful and simple concept for Creede to adopt, given the incredibly dark sky in Mineral County.

In 2018, Crawford recruited long-time amateur astronomer, Terry Taddeucci, to help organize a stargazing event to coincide with the Persied meteor shower. Forty people, many of whom had never looked through a telescope, were able to view three planets and one asteroid through telescopes. The success of the star party made Taddeucci realize “that we should do more to promote and preserve the value and beauty of our dark sky in Creede.”

The high altitude and low humidity in Mineral County contribute to the clarity of the milky way in our gloriously dark night sky. Headwaters Alliance is working with the community to preserve the night sky through responsible lighting practices and public education with the goal of becoming a Dark Sky Reserve through the International Dark Sky Association. HWA is working closely with US Forest Services, SLVREC, Rio Grande Silver, Creede School, the City of Creede, Mineral County and the community to accomplish this goal.

Through meetings and engaging events, HWA is sharing resources and information to help community members to modify lighting fixtures to dark sky friendly criteria. This ensures that fixtures shine light where it is needed - on the ground. This saves energy without sacrificing safety, and all while preserving the dark sky. Community members are invited to participate in a Citizen Science effort and take their own dark sky measurements with either of the following apps: “Loss of the Night” or “Dark Sky Meter.” With the combined effort of community and the already dark night sky, Dark Sky Certification is within reach.

Headwaters Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to cultivate a sustainable environmental and economic future for the headwaters of the upper Rio Grande through community engagement, restoration, education, and innovation. For more information, contact us at 719-695-0359 or via email at coordinator@headwatersalliance.org .

For more information on this topic, please contact Katherine Valicenti, Engagement Coordinator for the Headwaters Alliance at coordinator@headwatersalliance.org

This article original ran in the South Fork Tines

#coloradostargazing #darkskies #slv #sanluisvalley #mysticsanluisvalley #stargazing #visitcreede

South Fork a land rich in history and cultures

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:43:57 GMT

19th Annual All-Valley Art Show

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:38:44 GMT

The All-Valley Annual Art Show exhibit on display May 1st to May 16th. The exhibit provides SLV middle school and high school students the opportunity to show their work to a wide audience. Cash prizes and awards for artists and their school art programs total $1,550.00. Prizes are awarded in four categories; drawing/painting, photography, ceramics, and sculpture. The awards ceremony will be held May 3rd.

2020 Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museum Conference to be held in the San Luis Valley

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 21:52:37 GMT

2020 ANNUAL MEETING IN ALAMOSA

APRIL 16-18, 2020 | ALAMOSA, COLORADO
The Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums is excited to announce their 2020 annual meeting in Alamosa,in the Mystic San Luis Valley, Colorado. Our theme is

(re)Discovering Your Communities

and we will showcase panels, presentations, and workshops that focus on the many different communities that our institutions support and that support us.

We are all part of many different communities from our local neighborhoods to the larger community of museum professionals. This annual meeting will explore the ways in which we can better engage the communities that make up our audiences and how we can tap into the communities that can offer our museums their help and support.

Registration is now open! Register by March 13 for best rates!

Location: Adams State University, Student Union Building

Local museums and talent to be featured include:

Eric Carpio - director for Fort Garland Museum
Jim Loud - director for Creede Historical Society
Julie Chacon - executive director, Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area
SLV-Alamosa Museum - for the closing reception
Fort Garland Museum - for the welcome reception
Dr. Nick Saenz - associate professor, ASU
Caroline Gabe, assistant professor, ASU
Luther Bean Museum - featured exhibit
Adams State Univeristy campus - historic walking tour
Town of Alamosa - historic walking tour
Homelake Veterans' History Museum - for a peer assessment
Semillas de la Tierra - performance during lunch

Basics for viewing the Milky Way and where to look for the “core”

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 21:54:42 GMT

1 - First tip would be to wait until the New Moon (defined as - the phase of the moon when it is in conjunction with the sun and invisible from earth, or shortly thereafter when it appears as a slender crescent). You can find the phases of the moon he re on the Farmer’s Almanac . In March 2020 the New Moon is on March 24th

2 – You’ll want to move away from artificial light like in a town. If you live in a fairly rural area then try just turning all your house and yard lights off. Give your eyes some time to adjust.

3 - As we, the San Luis Valley/Colorado/the USA are in the Northern Hemisphere (any location north of the equator). The Milky Way shows to the southern part of the night sky.

4 – Milky Way Season – starts mid-March and ends mid-October with the summer months being the most optimal.

5 – Here are a few apps that numerous experts recommended to calculate where the Milky Way will be in the sky in relation to your location – 1 - PhotoPills, 2 – Stellarium, 3 - Skyguide, 4 – Photographer’s Ephemeris

There are lots of conversations about cameras, exposures, lenses, etc so things can get a little complex but just test things out.

Here is an article that will give you some additional insights and advice - DarkSiteFinder.com

19th Amendment Exhibit at Rio Grande County Museum

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 22:00:21 GMT

The Colorado Story of Suffrage has also been documented with many different parts of the story. The 1875-1876 Constitutional Convention did not give women suffrage but left a means to gain the right to vote in the document, eventually led to the referendum that was approved by the voting electors on November 7, 1893. Colorado was the first state to give women the right to vote by using a general election for the referendum. Wyoming Territory was the first in the nation to give women voting rights in 1890. This was gained by the Territorial government passing the law to do so.

The museum will host a reception/open house for the exhibit on February 29th starting at 10:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be served

It is a good time to see the museum, the changes and talk to the museum staff about the suffrage exhibit and the other happenings in the museum.
Check out the Rio Grande County Museum video by Patrick Shea about the exhibit. Patrick has done a great job getting this story into a video. He tells some of the story with photos. It is about 90 seconds long and is definitely worth watching.

For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657- 2847, our Facebook page or email rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org. Hours are Tuesday - Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm except on days of events.

by Louise Colville

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Amendment was ratified by 36 states with Tennessee being the 36th state to ratify it on August 18, 1920. This was the end result of over a century and half of women and men working to achieve this goal.

Of course, as with any political movement, there were two sides to the story. The anti-suffrage movement worked probably as hard to get their views heard. This movement was also made up of women and men who felt that giving women the vote was not a good idea.

The Rio Grande County Museum has documented stories about the men and women who worked to gain the right to vote for women. Panels have been designed to show the national suffrage leaders such as Susan B. Anthony; Lucretia and James Mott; Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joselyn Gage, Lucy Stone, Sojourner Truth, and more.

Trail Tales of the La Vereda del Norte Chapter of the Old Spanish Trail

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 22:09:52 GMT

Rio Grande County Museum Newsletter, Jan 2020

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 22:11:49 GMT

The staff of Rio Grande County museum wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for your support and
interest throughout 2019. We are looking forward to an exciting year in 2020.

We are working on a calendar of events filled with new exhibits and programs. Last year was filled with art shows, new exhibits and programs.....

Read the complete newsletter on the attached PDF

january_2020.pdf Download File

Coming Soon!

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 22:15:50 GMT

The San Luis Valley Museum Association has partnered with the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in the development of a driving tour app for the Los Caminos Scenic and Historic Byway!

See our original November 2019 post for more information

Local Motion: Dark Skies

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 22:20:01 GMT

Article published on kvnf.org

The International Dark Sky Association was founded in 1988 with the intention to protect the night skies for present and future generations.

KVNF's Kori Stanton speaks with the Bob Grossman and Creighton Wood from Norwood, Val Szwarc from Ridgway and Aaron Watson from Dark Skies Paonia about their experiences applying for Dark Sky designation. KVNF also speaks with Virgina Harman, Chief Operating Officer of DMEA, Bryan Cashion, President of the Black Canyon Astronomical Society , Nancy McGuire, President of the Western Colorado Astronomy Club , Terry Hancock, Director of the Grand Mesa Observatory and Grand Junction resident Sonja Kendle.

"IDA is the recognized authority on light pollution and is the leading organization of combating light pollution worldwide." - darksky.org.

Listen to interview (33min) at: https://www.kvnf.org/post/local-motion-dark-skies#stream/0

Historic train restoration stalls at Ogden’s Union Station [with Cumbres & Toltec interest]

Sun, 29 Dec 2019 22:35:10 GMT

The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad locomotive No. 223 is seen outside Union Station in Ogden on Dec. 10. The 138-year-old historic train sits in pieces, consigned to limbo after a local restoration effort was frozen out. Ben Dorger, Standard-Examiner

By Associated Press Dec 29, 2019, 1:58pm MST
Mark Shenefelt, Standard-Examiner
article copied from the Deseret News

A 138-year-old historic locomotive sits in pieces at Union Station, consigned to limbo after a local restoration effort was frozen out.

Volunteers with the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society‘s Golden Spike chapter have toiled since 1992 in the Union Station train shop to painstakingly refurbish Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad locomotive No. 223, until Ogden officials locked them out earlier this year.

The components are sealed in the shop — except the rust-caked boiler, which is perched open to the elements on a platform nearby in the rear of the historic depot.

Everyone involved has an opinion about what should be done with the 1881 locomotive, which is owned by the state via its Utah Division of State History.

The city asked the Golden Spike group to suspend its work while officials reviewed the ownership situation and looked into safety and liability concerns related to volunteers working on the locomotive.

City officials at that point said they wanted the state to transfer title to Ogden, where the train has been for more than 25 years. But that did not happen, and now the state is considering eventually moving the locomotive to a new state history museum being planned in Salt Lake City.

The state proposal is in its early stages, Kevin Fayles, the state division’s assistant director, said earlier this month.

“The division is reserving ownership until the building’s new plans are finalized,” Fayles said of 223. “We are waiting to see if this new building will happen or not and how it will be designed.”

A sign outside Union Station describes the restoration efforts of Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad locomotive No. 223 outside Union Station in Ogden on Dec. 10. Ben Dorger, Standard-Examiner

With the museum project, much remains to be decided by “the powers that be,” Fayles said, referring to the governor’s office, the Legislature and various interested institutions.

“I don’t really think we’ll have an answer for a year or two,” Fayles said.

While that plays out, no one is working on the locomotive, which chagrins the volunteers who were making slow but steady progress on it.

Steve Jones, president of the Golden Spike chapter, said his group has not given up its overall goal of seeing that the locomotive is restored, even if someone else ultimately does it.

The group is planning to donate its tools and equipment to any other historical preservation association that could use them.

“We’ll probably become more of a ‘Friends of 223’ organization as opposed to the people with the actual wrenches,” Jones said.

“One of the things we are trying to accomplish is to raise the awareness of the historical importance of 223,” he said. “Restoring it to operation is much more than an Ogden city, or even Utah state, issue.”
The 223 is the last remaining Denver and Rio Grande C-16 locomotive built by the Grant Locomotive Works that has the potential to run again, Jones said.

“It is on the National Historic Register and deserves to be taken care of in a way that reflects its historic significance,” he added.

To that end, the chapter discussed 223 with the Colorado-based Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which sent a letter of intent to Utah state officials outlining a plan to restore the locomotive to full operation.

Under that plan, the locomotive could be restored within two years and then would be operated on 64 miles of original Denver and Rio Grande track, much more of a role than ending up a static display in a museum.

“That is the historical location where 223 actually worked,” Jones said.

Fayles acknowledged the state received the Cumbres and Toltec proposal, but said any consideration of it would follow decisions made about the Utah museum plan.

Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell said the city appreciates the contributions of Jones’s group and still hopes 223 can be restored.

“We would love to have it stay in Ogden, or at least in Utah, so that the people here can enjoy it,” Caldwell said.

The mayor acknowledged the local volunteers were “frustrated” by being locked out of the project.
But, Caldwell said, “the last thing anyone wants would be something like solvents not being handled properly and we burn down the building.”

Martha Kennedy Book Reading

Sun, 24 Nov 2019 22:38:31 GMT

On December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, Martha Kennedy will read from AS A BABY DUCK LISTENS TO THUNDER as part of Holiday at the Museum. She will read chapters from her time on Hainan Island during Chinese New Year, including stories about the Chinese veterans of the “Anti-Japanese War” who had served with Americans in WWII. If time permits, she will read a Christmas chapter from her historical novel, MARTIN OF GFEEN, which is a story of a young artist in 13th century Zürich who contracts leprosy and goes to live in a community of the Knights of St. Lazarus, the Leper knights.

In the late 1970s, propelled by intense wanderlust, Kennedy, newly in possession of a masters degree from the University of Denver, went looking for an opportunity to get out into the bigger world.

In 1982, only six years after the death of Mao Zedong, she accepted a position as a Foreign Expert in English in South China Teacher’s University in Guangzhou, China. Her memoir, AS A BABY DUCK LISTENS TO THUNDER tell the story of her experiences living as a Chinese professor for a year, the experience of a lifetime.

In addition to AS A BABY DUCK LISTENS TO THUNDER, Kennedy has written an award-winning memoir, MY EVEREST and four award-winning works of historical fiction, MARTIN OF GFEEN, SAVIOR, THE BROTHERS PATH and THE PRICE. She is a 1970 graduate of Mitchell High School, a 1974 graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder and she earned her MA from the University of Denver in 1979. Life took her away from Colorado for thirty years during which she taught college and university writing in San Diego. She now lives in Monte Vista.

Kennedy’s works of historical fiction and her memoir about hiking with her dogs, MY EVEREST are also available at the Narrow Gauge Book Co-op as well as at the Rio Grande County Museum during the Holiday at the Museum event. She has published stories and artwork locally in MESSAGES FROM THE HIDDGEN LAKE, THE CIRCLE BOOK and THE WILLOW CREEK JOURNAL.

The reading will be from 2pm - 3pm on December 7th at the Rio Grande County Museum. The Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte. For more information, please contact Louise or Rita at the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847, check our Facebook page at Rio Grande County Museum or email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org.

Honorable Carlos F. Lucero award recipient

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 22:39:53 GMT

Native-born Honorable Carlos F. Lucero was honored by Adams State University as the recipient of the Billy Adams Award during this year's Homecoming!

The Hon. Carlos F. Lucero, circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, was the 49th recipient of the Billy Adams Award, which recognizes those who exhibit dedication to education shown by the University’s founder and namesake.

“I’ve been privileged to have a good life. It all started with education for me,” said Lucero, who grew up in Antonito with his parents, Margaret and Antonio Lucero, and five siblings.

Read the complete article on the Valley Courier website.

#carloslucero #antonitocolorado #billyadams #adamsstateuniversity

$10,000 grant awarded from Colorado Tourism Office

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 22:43:46 GMT

The San Luis Valley Museum Association was awarded a $10,000 Tourism Development grant by the Colorado Tourism Office . The grant will allow us to develop a driving tour app for the L os Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway using the TravelStorys app.

The project also won't have been possible without the financial and funding assistance of the Alamosa Marketing District , Rio Grande County Tourism , the SLV Tourism Association and our museum members .

Located in the Mystic San Luis Valley, the San Luis Valley Museum Assoc. will highlight the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway utilizing a driving tour app to feature its rich legacy through its museums, historic sites and oral histories.

Keep posted on updates!!

Rio Grande Museum November Newsletter

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 22:05:10 GMT

Lost Trail Ranch

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 22:09:58 GMT

"Lost Trail Ranch was established in 1877 as a way station and resupply spot along Stony Pass Road from the San Luis Valley to the mining camps of the San Juan Mountains . Located at an elevation of 9,800 feet along the Rio Grande, the way station served travelers until the early 1880s, when traffic declined after the first railroad reached Silverton . The area became a popular summer cattle pasture site before being developed in the early 1920s as a dude ranch. Since then the property has offered guest lodging and outdoor recreation while continuing to be used for summer livestock grazing.

First built in 1872, Stony Pass Road connected Del Norte to Silverton. It started as a pack trail and was gradually improved into a wagon road. It was the main route from the Front Range to the San Juan Mountains until 1882, when the Denver & Rio Grande Railway reached Silverton."

The Getz family—Wetherill descendants—owned and operated the ranch into the early twenty-first century. They built several new rental cabins close to the Forest Service road, and in 2011 they got the historic section of the property—including the barn and two older cabins—listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today the barn at Lost Trail Ranch is the oldest log barn in Hinsdale County . The Getzes still live at the ranch, but in the mid-2010s they sold the rental cabin business to a new owner.

Read more about history of the Lost Trail, Lost Trail Station, Stony Pass and the Lost Trail Ranch at Colorado Encyclopedia

Where is the Oldest Town in Colorado?

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 22:12:35 GMT

Creede: The Last Boom Town

Sat, 12 Oct 2019 22:15:11 GMT

In so many ways, the story of Colorado is the story of mining. And Creede stands as one of the last mining towns of its kind. So many mines and their legacies were abandoned over the years – and nearly lost forever. But a handful of heroes have staked a claim on history by preserving these sites. From mining boom towns to ghost towns – it’s all here. Watch this wonderful story about Creede featuring the backdrop of the Creede Historical Society Museum and the Creede Underground Mining Museum :

(video) Creede: the Last Boom Town produced by Colorado Experience-Rocky Mountain PBS

Nancy Harris Art Exhibit

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 22:24:07 GMT

Jack Dempsey 100 years later

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 22:29:41 GMT

Jack Dempsey's impact on the boxing world is still remembered and felt today 100 years later!

So many articles were written in honor of the 100th anniversary of Jack Dempsey's title win fight. Lots of good reading:

Presentation in Manassa at Jack Dempsey Museum:
https://fightnews.com/wbc-presents-centennial-jack-de…/49290

Round-by-round recap of Dempsey Willard Fight:
https://www.toledoblade.com/…/round-by-…/stories/20190703008

How sportswriters in 1919 described the Dempsey-Willard bout:
https://www.toledoblade.com/…/how-sport…/stories/20190703115

Dempsey vs. Willard: Facts and figures from the historic bout:
https://www.toledoblade.com/…/dempsey-v…/stories/20190630179

Effort to get boxing on on radio (a first):
https://sportstalkflorida.com/feat…/https-wp-me-p81oan-1n0u/

Dempsey Ruled the Ring:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/…/Jack-Dempsey-ruled-ring-1920s…

Jack Sharkey and Jack Dempsey:
https://www.seacoastonline.com/…/olde-epping-nhs-heavyweigh…

Toledo Archives article:
https://mailtribune.com/…/mail…/mail-tribune-100-july-5-1919

Toledo Reenacts Dempsey Fight:
https://www.wtol.com/…/512-11e5d18f-92f6-480a-8288-8d2e86e4…

Dempsey Honored in his Hometown:
https://conejoscountycitizen.com/article/dempsey-honored-in-his-hometown

Manassa Reflects on favorite son - Jack Dempsey
https://pinerivertimes.com/articles/107077-manassa-reflects-on-favorite-son-jack-dempsey

First National Sports Broadcast - Dempsey/Willard Fight
http://presspublications.com/content/first-national-sports-broadcast-toledo%E2%80%99s-dempsey-willard-fight-celebrates-100-years

Results from Toledo, Ohio:
https://fightnews.com/results-from-toledo-ohio/49431

For George Rugg, curating Notre Dame's collection of sports gems has been labor of love
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/notre-dame-insider/2019/07/09/notre-dames-sports-collection-has-been-lifes-work-curator-george-rugg/1485753001/

Getting off the Canvas:
https://www.news-star.com/news/20190713/getting-off-canva s

Rio Grande County Museum events for July and August

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 22:33:13 GMT

The calendar of events for July and August at Rio Grande County Museum include a quilt show by the San Luis Valley Quilt Guild, the annual ice cream social with Covered Wagon Days and an art show by San Luis Valley artist, Nancy Harris.

The San Luis Valley Quilt Guild show will open on July 30, 2019 and run through August 10, 2019. This will be the Guilds first show in several years and will feature work by all levels of quilters from beginners to artists who have shown their work and winning awards in national shows. Quilts to be shown will include all sizes of quilts as well smaller items such as bags and containers. Ballots will be provided for viewers’ choices. Cindy Moore, Jeannie Brown, Janet Davis and Janice Watkins are coordinating the event with Rio Grande County Museum.

The annual ice cream social will be on August 3rd after the Covered Wagon Days parade. It is a time that the public can come and enjoy ice cream, visit with friends and neighbors and tour the museum. The admission to the museum is waived on Covered Wagon Days, but donations will be accepted. This is a good opportunity to visit with the staff and volunteers and see what the museum provides with keeping the history of Rio Grande County preserved.

On August 13th an art show with Nancy Harris will start with an opening reception on August 17th. Nancy’s work has been shown throughout the San Luis Valley and the museum is honored to be able to show her work. She also instructs classes in art.

For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847 or check the museum Facebook page for event information. The Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte. The Museum regular hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except on special event days.

RGCM research on military veterans continues

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 15:22:56 GMT

Call for Artists

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 15:11:09 GMT

Fort Garland Museum Newsletter - June 1st, 2019

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 15:05:00 GMT

From Land to Hand: Fiber Arts Festival
22 June Saturday / 9 am - 5 pm
23 June Sunday / 9 am - 1 pm
Join us for two days of all things fiber, from "sheep to shawl." Learn about the tradition of sheep ranching and the new industry of hemp fiber production, and see works by fiber artists of the San Luis Valley. Throughout the day you'll see demonstrations by artists who'll share their skills and their love of the craft, as well as have the opportunity to attend classes to learn technique. At a marketplace, vendors will sell supplies for your own projects and some of the region's most beautiful fiber work. Food carts with a wide selection of cuisine will be on site, along with local musicians playing throughout both days. There will also be a wooly petting zoo, where children can meet the animals that so many fibers come from. It's guaranteed to be a weekend full of all the wonderful things the fiber industry in the San Luis Valley has to offer!

What does a computer, a piano and a camera have in common?

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 14:49:54 GMT

From data processing to sound to phonographs to typewriters and calculators, they are forms of communication. The current exhibit now opening is simply called “Communications”. It has been arranged in a fashion that these items show how they relate to each other. It also shows the wide variety of items housed in the museum collection.

Brad Henderson, volunteer who is 16 years old, has had the lead in the assembling and researching the items in the exhibit. Albert Warren, volunteer, and Louise Colville, Museum director, have assisted in the technical aspect and the arranging of the artifacts. Many of the items displayed were placed in the exhibit for two purposes, showing the artifact and also having them available to be touched by the visitors. The items that can be touched will need to have assistance from the museum staff.

An old table top Silverstone record player fills the museum with music of a century ago. An antique pump organ gives a work out as the music is made. The almost century and a half square grand piano thrills everyone with the quality of music that it gives.

The stereoscope was the first 3D viewer of its kind. The person using the viewer can see photos that are printed with two pictures side by side and when looking through the two lenses at the photos, the viewer can get a 3D picture. This special item is one of the artifacts that can be view with assistance from the museum staff.

A small 1940s typewriter has been used in the school display for several years and each class from the area who visited the museum has had the opportunity to type on it. Many students have never seen a typewriter of this vintage.

The exhibit will run through July.

For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847 or check our Facebook page. The Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte. The hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday 10 am to 3 pm.

Fort Garland - Events for May

Mon, 06 May 2019 15:32:05 GMT

Memorial Day Living History Encampment

25 May Saturday / 9 am - 5 pm
25 May Sunday / 9 am - 1 pmFort Garland Museum will be holding its annual Living History Encampment on Memorial Day Weekend with a variety of events hosted, starting at 9 am on both days. Throughout the whole weekend, the Fort Garland Memorial Regiment and the Artillery Company of New Mexico will be presenting activities and displays recreating nineteenth-century life at the fort.

On Saturday, the ladies of the garrison will gather in the Soldier's Theatre to demonstrate nineteenth-century domestic arts. All attendees are invited to join them for a cup of tea and conversation! That night starting at 8 p.m. the garrison will be hosting a Regimental Ball. This event will be open to the public, but all attendees must be attired in period costume.

Sunday will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at 9 am, followed by a non-denominational service held in the Soldier's Theatre, and the soldiers will break camp soon after. The event ends Sunday at 1 pm.

11 May Saturday / 2 pm"Legacy of Oppression"
Benjamin Waddell

Professor Benjamin Waddell will share his lecture "Legacy of Oppression: Southern Colorado, the Electoral College, and the Future of Democracy in the United States." In this talk, he will discuss the impact that discriminatory lending practices against Hispanic farmers and ranchers in communities such as the San Luis Valley has had on the electoral system. He will ground the conversation in empirical data and personal interviews with San Luis Valley elders and community members.

Benjamin Waddell is a professor at Fort Lewis College, where he has taught a wide variety of courses on topics as varied as poverty, inequality, and international migration. His research focuses on the intersection of international migration with develpment and crime in Latin America and the United States. He has been published multiple times in a variety of journals, including The Social Science Journal, Contemporary Sociology, and Latin American Research Review. This event is sponsored by Colorado State University-Pueblo and the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. Refreshments will be provided.

23 May Thursday / 6 pm"The Violent Killing of the Espinosas"
Virginia Sanchez
Stories about the escapades of and the murders committed by the Espinosas of Conejos have been published in books, aired on television programs about Western desperados, and posted on various websites. However, these stories all tell the same version, the same perspective. Sanchez will introduce new historical documents and will discuss the events taking place in Conejos during Colorado's early Territorial Period to provide an alternative explanation about a place and time when the murders occurred and why the Espinosas were violently hunted down and killed.

Virginia Sanchez is an independent historian, research, and author, and a member of the Colorado Historical Society, the Colorado Society of Hispanic Genealogy, the Huerfano County Historical Society, and the New Mexico Historical Society. Her work has appeared in journals including Colorado History, the New Mexico Genealogist, and more. In 2008 she was recognized by the Hispanic Annual Salute for her contribution to the Hispanic community in the area of history. This presentation is sponsored by Colorado State University-Pueblo and the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.

The Fiber Studio now OpenThe Fiber Studio is open for the summer season. Come spin up some lovely threads on our spinning wheels or weave a beautiful scarf on our many looms. For just $10.00 a day you can work on any project you’d like. Spinning wheels and ridged heddle looms are available to rent as well.
Call Kelley at 719-379-3512 for more information.

11 May Saturday / 9 amHow To Dye Wool (and other fibers)
Acid dyes are used on wool (and all other fibers from animals), silk, and nylon. In this class, we’ll learn the basics of using acid dyes, using a microwave to heat-set the dyes. We will completely cover studio safety, choosing and mixing dyes, how to make them washfast, and how to finish up dyed articles. Everybody will take home samples, written guidelines, and a list of supply sources. Students should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dye on, and closed toe shoes, and bring a pair of kitchen-type rubber gloves. All other minimum safety equipment will be provided. This class is for age 13+ (age 10+ with registered adult). This class is taught by Michelle Bowman. Class fee is $65.00 per person with a material fee of $25.00. Tickets available online at Eventbrite or at the Fort.

18 May Saturday / NoonHow To Dye Wool (and other fibers)
Knitters (and anybody who plays with yarn) benefit a lot from understanding how yarn is made, and this hands-on class will help add some valuable knowledge to your crafter’s toolbox. We will spend some time de-constructing some yarns we normally work with to see their twist and structure, and we’ll take that information and construct some yarns of our own. This will also be a great introduction to spinning, if you were thinking about spinning on a wheel. This class is taught by Michelle Bowman.

Class fee is $55.00 per participant with a $15.00 material fee. Tickets available online at Eventbrite or at the Fort. Fort Garland looking for "New Skills" InstructorsDo you have a special skill or talent you would like to share? We are looking for instructors in anything from fiber arts, to flint napping, to cooking and canning - the possibilities are endless! Apply here to teach your class!

Museum Store SpotlightPhotos and Postcards: "With the Spirit of the Wild Horse" by Judy BarnesSee these beautiful photographs and cards in the museum store this month!

Have you enjoyed the Fort?
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Want to support the Fort?
As a member of the Friends of Fort Garland you get free unlimited admission to the museum, receive a discount in the museum store, and get invitations to special museum events!

Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
29477 Highway 159
Fort Garland, CO 81133
719-379-3512

Free admission for Veterans

Mon, 06 May 2019 15:27:01 GMT

Commissioners recognize WWII veteran

Fri, 03 May 2019 15:34:31 GMT

Photo courtesy of Bobbie Hatton The Rio Grande County Board of County Commissioners honored Virgil Simon Off by adding his name to the memorials in Del Norte and Homelake for Rio Grande County citizens who served in World War II. Off was on the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor during the surprise attack in 1941.

Honoring a story never told, the Rio Grande County Board of County Commissioners opened their meeting on Wednesday, April 24 with a presentation from Suzanne and Gordon Off recognizing Virgil Simon Off for his service in World War II. Adding Virgil’s name to the dedication in the Rio Grande County courthouse and memorial wall at Home Lake finally honors the man who perished when the USS Arizona suffered a surprise attack in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

“We had a nice little ceremony today,” noted Commissioner and Board Chairperson Suzanne Bothell before kicking off official discussions. Born in Del Norte, Virgil served in the U.S. Navy and received the Pacific Fleet assignment aboard the USS Arizona in Hawaii. County staff and local residents attended the commemoration before the regularly scheduled meeting.

Read full story.... Commissioners recognize WWII vetera n

Del Norte Schools Art Show

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:38:27 GMT

The gallery room at the Rio Grande County Museum will be filled with the artistic creations of the Del Norte School Art Departments starting on April 30th and continuing through May 12th .

The opening reception will be held on May 1st from 10am to 8pm. This will be the perfect opportunity to see what our Del Norte kids are doing with their art work. The Rio Grande County Museum is extremely
pleased to be able to coordinate with the school district for this occasion. Susan Carrasco and Jenna Randolph have worked hard with their students to keep art in our schools.

For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847 or email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org . Check with our Facebook page for additional stories and information.
The Rio Grande County Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte.

Darwin Thompson then Day with Museum Staff

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:36:37 GMT

Colorado's Scenic Byways: Commemorating Three Decades of Accomplishment

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 16:05:14 GMT

Acequias

Sat, 19 Jan 2019 17:06:52 GMT

The original settlers of Southern Colorado brought with them a form of land settlement and irrigation that was based on principles of equity, shared scarcity and cooperation in which water was viewed as a resource in place, rather than a commodity. It is here, in the villages surrounding San Luis, where Colorado's oldest continuous water rights have existed since the mid-1800's. This type of water system is called an acequia. Acequias continue to be the lifeblood of residents in Southern Costilla County – they not only serve to provide the water for the farms on which hundreds of families depend on, but they also serve as a conduit for community services and support.

Acequias and the Sangre de Cristo Acequia Association

Filming by #ChristiBode, Moxiecran Media

WWI: On the Home Front

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 17:11:48 GMT

Christmas Season at the Rio Grande County Museum

Wed, 14 Nov 2018 17:09:16 GMT

Rio Grande County Museum hosts “Gateway to the Holidays”

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 17:14:19 GMT

November/December Newsletter from the RGCM

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 17:12:45 GMT

Click here to read the Rio Grande County Museum's newsletter for November/December 2018.

nov-dec_2018_newsletter.pdf Download File

NATIVE AMERICAN CAPTIVITY, SLAVERY & IDENTITY

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:16:35 GMT

Old Spanish Trail

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 16:19:41 GMT

WWI Homefront in Rio Grande County

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 16:22:55 GMT

Field Trip to follow the Old Spanish Trail, Route - Mt. San Antonio New Mexico

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 16:24:30 GMT

San Luis Valley: The Cradle of Colorado is hot off presses

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 16:29:37 GMT

La Vereda del Norte Chapter shares upcoming events

Sun, 12 Aug 2018 16:26:39 GMT

Waverly Revisited

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:43:43 GMT

Colorful Colorado: Lake City's identity lies somewhere between scenic byways

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:42:10 GMT

Rabbitbrush Rambler: Valley’s religious organizations

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:40:09 GMT

First Thanksgiving in July

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 16:38:02 GMT

Trails, Trappers and Traders-Old Spanish Trail

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 16:45:30 GMT

Photo courtesy: Old Spanish Trail Association http://oldspanishtrail.org

The Rio Grande County Museum will host a program: Trails, Trappers and Traders-Old Spanish Trail- Geology and Volcanic History SLV and San Juan Mts on Saturday, July 21st, starting at 8:30am.

A special historical program is being held at the Rio Grande County Museum on Saturday, July 21, beginning at 8:30am in conjunction with the La Vereda del Norte Chapter of the Old Spanish Trail Association.

The program coincides with the opening of the “Trails, Trappers, and Traders” exhibit. Informative short presentations will be made on the early pioneers travelers, and trails of the area by Louise Colville; a brief history of the Old Spanish Trail by Doug Knudson, followed by an overview of the geology of the San Luis Valley, the volcanic history and features of the San Juan Mts. and the Summer Coon Volcanic center due north of Del Norte by Steve Nicolais, retired geologist.

Following the presentations, a half day geologic road tour/field trip led by Steve Nicolais, is offered to those interested in seeing the remnants of the deeply eroded Summer Coon Volcanic center, an 8 to 10-mile diameter volcanic complex, just six miles north of Del Norte. Space is limited to 10-12 cars. Carpooling has worked well in past. A Donation of $10 is requested which will be split between the Museum and the La Vereda del Norte Chapter of the Old Spanish Trail.

Call museum @ 719- 657-2847 early to reserve a spot on the tour. There are no attendance limitations on the museum exhibit and talks. Check the Museum’s Facebook page and local news media for more details on the field trip.

Open for Business

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 16:49:09 GMT

SLV-HUG (History Undiscovered Group)

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 19:36:28 GMT

By Teresa L. Benns

ALAMOSA — About 25 members of the Valley’s History Undiscovered Group (SLV-HUG) met at Calvillo’s Restaurant last Thursday (04/19/18) to update the group on various historical activities happening throughout the Valley this summer and fall.

After enjoying a buffet meal, attendees reported on the projects in their respective areas.

Tori Martinez, executive director for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area announced that the Conejos County Museum will be reopening this spring after being closed the past two years. The opening date is set for May 11.

Charlotte Bobicki with the Mount Pleasant School Association reports she is working on a project to restore the historic Mount Pleasant School in rural Alamosa County. Her grandfather helped start the school, other family members were students there and she spent the first six years of her elementary education at the one-room schoolhouse. At that time, Bobicki said, there were 30 students up to the eighth grade. The school had a stage, small library, and a big bell to summon students, which somehow over the years has disappeared. “It’s probably in town someplace,” Bobicki said. Many of the school’s original founders came from Germany. It is listed on the national and state historical society registers. The school closed in the 1960s.

Tamara Estes, president of the Southern Branch of the Territorial Daughters of Colorado, says their group is working on projects in Huerfano County and the old Doyle School in Pueblo County built in 1860 — the oldest school in Colorado. The Territorial Daughters welcome members who can trace their descendants to the area prior to 1876. The group was founded in Colorado in 1910 and he San Luis Valley group was formed in 1940.

Joyce Gunn, with the San Luis Valley Museum in Alamosa, reports she is working on a project to establish a celebration recognizing the San Luis Valley as the official home of the First Thanksgiving. She related that historical records show that on July 11, 1538, 300 families were present in the valley with priests and conquistadors and celebrated the first real Thanksgiving meal. The fact has been buried in history ever since. Gunn says she would like to hold a celebration commemorating the event in July with a sit- down meal, dancing and other ethnic events.

Kat Olance, president for the SLV Museum Association are waiting to see if the Colorado and Wyoming Association of Museums have selected the Valley community for their 2020 conference which would bring 180+ museum professionals from across Wyoming and Colorado to the SLV.

Maria Van Sant, a member of the family trust that funds the La Garita St. John the Baptist Church, reports the church will get a new roof this year beginning sometime next month. She also passed out postcards advertising the church, its Rosary Walk and its many historic points of interest.

Brittany Morrissette, a volunteer at the Crestone Historical Museum and a board member with the SLV Museum Association, says the museum will have to be relocated this year because it has lost its lease. She hopes the town will help her move into the old Crestone school house near the museum’s present location.

The Rio Grande County Museum will be presenting a history of the churches in Rio Grande County this year.

After 18 years of working with the Division of Parks and Wildlife, the Old Spanish Trail Association hopes to have signs to erect soon marking the trail.

Miss Josephine Silva: Interview

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 20:42:15 GMT

The Making of Traditional Santos

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 20:54:12 GMT

Colorado Farm Bureau wraps up 2017, readies for centennial celebration

Fri, 29 Dec 2017 20:56:40 GMT

The Early Cultural History of the San Luis Valley

Wed, 27 Dec 2017 20:58:15 GMT

Baca National Wildlife Refuge photo by US Fish and Wildlife

by Meg Van Ness
published: 20 March 2012 (revisions November 2013)

[excerpt, pg 7] The Baca Land Grant is the result of a land dispute. The Baca grants, of which there are five, were granted to the heirs of Luis Maria Baca in replacement for his 1825 grant near Las Vegas, New Mexico, which was also claimed by Juan de Dios Maiese in 1835. These conflicting claims came to light when the U.S. took control of the lands in the mid 1840s. The Baca claim was settled in 1860, and patented in 1903, when the Baca heirs were given five parcels of land: two in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one in the San Luis Valley – Baca #4. In various configurations and sizes the Baca #4 lands changed hands many times over the next hundred years with a large portion established as the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in 2000.

Click here to read the complete paper of - The Early Cultural History of the San Luis Valley
by Meg Van Ness

Meg is the Regional Archaeologist/Regional Historic Preservation Officer for Region 6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cultural Resources

Christmas at the Rio Grande County Museum

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:01:45 GMT

Colorado's 2017 Most Significant Artifacts

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 21:06:54 GMT

Monte Vista Historical Society's artifact - Letterhead with proposed illustration of Dam at Wagon Wheel Gap was selected as one of 10 artifacts for this year's - Colorado's 2017 Most Significant Artifacts.

---------
Letterhead Stationary with Illustration of a Dam at Wagon Wheel Gap
Artifact Is: 3 Dimensional
Located at: Monte Vista Historical Society
Artifact Significant To: Colorado, NationArtifact Description:

The artifact is a sheet of letterhead stationery illustration a dam at Wagon Wheel Gap, near Creede, in the San Luis Valley. The sponsoring agency is the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, headquartered in Alamosa, Colorado.
Why Is This Artifact Significant?

Water development in the Valley has always been an important issue. Being a high mountain desert, the Valley receives only seven inches of rain in an average year. Irrigation is crucial to farming and ranching, and these industries have been the mainstay of life here. Water storage and development continue to be crucial issues, and the Wagon wheel Gap Dam was an effort to increase storage and hence irrigation water.
How Does The Artifact Relate To Colorado History?

The fact that the dam was never built relates to Colorado history in that many projects were either delayed or never begun, due to the demands on resources posed by World War II. The management of water, its storage and basin transfer, continue to be important to the state and will continue to do so. The letterhead stationery is one such piece of the water picture.

To see all ten artifacts go to: Colorado Connecting to Collections & Collection Care @ Auraria.edu
https://collectioncare.auraria.edu/content/letterhead-illustration-dam-wagon-wheel-gap

The Sanford Museum: Memories of the Past

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 20:08:51 GMT

by Mary Pope Cornum with the Colorado Central Magazine

"Sitting in the middle of the main street of Sanford, Colorado is a white-washed, Spanish-style adobe building. A hand-painted sign above the door declares this the Sanford Museum. The sign was arranged for by one of the museum’s originators, Gary Bailey, and painted by a missionary who was in the area at the time. The museum was initiated by Sanford native Mary June Peterson Miller, who wrote a historical book about Sanford titled We Call it Home. She passed away in 2015...." Colorado Central Magazine

La Vereda del Norte Chapter - OST Newsletter

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 20:11:36 GMT

The La Vereda del Norte Chapter and Colorado's other chapter, were instrumental in encouraging the U.S. Congress to declare the Old Spanish Trail a National Historic Trail, which occurred in 2002. About a dozen chapter members have served as officers or committee chairs of the national association level for 2 to 10 years each.

Projects in Progress

We are working on two projects that could use your suggestions! Please!!

1 - A foldout brochure for tourists (and citizens of our area) that describes the West Prong of the North Fork of the OST. We have waited and debated too long; tourists have no guides to this part of the trail.

The Ute people allowed Spanish citizens to pasture animals there. Others could seek routes to gold and silver. We know that Comanches raided here, Zebulon Pike spent more time here than in any other part of Colorado. The Governor of New Mexico used it as a getaway with stolen food from the Taos Pueblo. We know that Kit Carson, and other trappers and scouts, used it for various purposes. Travelers to southern California were also reported to have traveled on this route.

Our OSTA chapter seems to agree that the west side of the Valley is part of the Old Spanish Trail history. So, why not do what many other trails groups have done? Use our own resources and knowledge to give visitors special, rich experiences to what our chapter leaders are persuaded is part of our history. outsiders can fiddle in discord while we tell visitors the stories of the history of this area with greater flexibility and strong leadership. We can even include ancient rock art, prehistoric animals, geology, and more current tales.

We will need signs (with Conejos, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties). We will need about 10 or more rest stops (most are already there). We'll need collaboration from highway departments and BLM/Forest Services trail managers. We can seek collaboration from schools, universities, scouts, history societies, photographers, town and county officials plus citizen involvement.

This is not rebellion. Many Chapters on other parts of the trail have shown their understanding of their "side trails" without the official NPS involvement and done so effectively. This may enrich the communities and give visitors a different slant on the NPS story of the Old Spanish Trail's history.

Would you please make a response to these ideas and let us know that you may help advise us or lead us. Send a simple note to douglasfir636@gmail.com or 89 Fir Drive, South Fork, CO, or 719-873-5239.

#2 - We had at least 4 field trips and several other events scheduled from this past year. Those who attended were quite generous in their expressions of pleasure. We would appreciate your wishes for 2018 activities, topics, places to go, people to meet, skills to learn, historic places to see, and other activities, please scribble a note to us @:

Ken Frye, president - kennruth@gojade.org
TJ Mendez, VP - tjmendez@hotmail.com
Lynnea K Cook, secretary - lynneack@yahoo.com
Suzanne Office, treasurer - offislandranch@gmail.com
Doug Knudson, editor - douglasfir636@gmail.com

__________________________________
Want to become a member of our chapter that's just $25.

Make your check out to: La Vereda del Norte-OST

Send your check to:
PO Box 213
Del Norte, CO 81132-0213

Agricultural Fall Exhibit in Del Norte, CO

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 20:32:29 GMT

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Old Spanish Trail Field Trip to CO/NM Border

Sat, 05 Aug 2017 20:36:06 GMT

Assumption 2: This area can offer traditional animals, plants, religion, sincerity, and resistance to what some call progress. History is evident here in commerce, farming and ranching methods, evidence of religious traditions, sense of New Mexican methods in agriculture, and museum, churches, and other traditions. Local skills, practices, and interpretation offer clear senses of the past in the late 1840s to 1850s. A number of books and reports can be made available at book stands. And traditional activities, personal encounters with local residents and programs can likewise enrich the sense of the past.

The Old Spanish Trail field trip seeks your intelligent comments and wisdom. How can the Old Spanish Trail Association (OSTA) present some of its stories here, while emphasizing the history and sense of the past as related to the OST? It is thought by many of us that this special and beautiful place will be one of the favorites and most genuine of the entire trail (approximately 2400 miles round trip).

The tour starts in Costilla New Mexico Plaza. (On the CO/NM State line). This is a place with a big annual art festival--amateurs and professionals every early fall. Its creek is one of the several that come down from the Sangre de Cristos. We'll go a few miles East and then northward (the route indicated by Congress for the OST.) As we go we'll encounter various crops and other photo opportunities. (2 locations). Several of the ranches are working with Churro sheep, but they may be grazing high up. I hope to do a little exploring into the Sangre de Cristo low slopes, where you can get a glimpse of the remaining rural communities and irrigation techniques. Then we'll see the last functioning commons in the USA (probably), shared by local farmers on a strict schedule.

We'll go into town (San Luis), passing diverse churches on the way. One farmer invites us to go 1.5 miles out of town to see his techniques. In town, we'll look at a thing or two, then choose our lunch from the three restaurants (or sack lunch). I hope we may see the still-renovating museum, which has a treasure trove of good information and exhibits.

Next, we'll hike up the Stations of the Cross, sculpted by Huberto Maestas, on a beautiful uphill walk and much more. At the top is a spectacular view of the Sangre de Cristos and much of the San Luis Valley. In case you're sore footed, there is a way by car, but you'll miss much of the art - a small version of this is in the Vatican collection. (You'll probably be passed by young mothers carrying an almost born and pushing an older child.) From here, we'll see what the clock says and offer alternatives for your return home.

If you go back South (on asphalt), you may see wild horses along the way. I've noticed that they are quite positive that they have the right-of-way. If time is not of the essence, we suggest that you can go north to the base of Mount Blanca, where you may be moved by its splendor—four tribes consider it sacred. Kit Carson was top soldier at Fort Garland here. North of there are some splendid hot springs. In Alamosa are some very nice motels and restaurants. You can also go to New Mexico by cutting west across the lower San Luis Valley, say hello to a famous boxer, then aim for Española and Santa Fe.

No charge except your gas and meal. If you prefer an overnight stay in San Luis, you have two choices: a convent near the church or a nice looking tucked-away big motel (many tours come to the community). Several other motels and a great steak house are in Fort Garland--16 miles North with a State Museum.

ARRIVAL by 9:55 a.m. on August 19
If you are from New Mexico, take highway 522 to Costilla, turn right and hitch up to the Plaza's parking arrangements. If you are from Colorado, take highway 159 then a left turn off 522 into town and find the same Plaza

Questions: Doug Knudson 89 Fir Drive South Fork, CO 81154
douglasfir636@gmail.com 719-873-5239

A good read: Chapter 14 of Tom Wolf's - Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

OST takes you Near to21 ofColorado's Top Wonders
On 3 Old Spanish Trail branches

San Pedro Mesa (aka Wild Horse Mesa)

Culebra Peak, the most southerly of our nation's 14,000' peaks
The town and country of San Luis—first in Colorado in many things
Mount Blanca and neighboring peaks
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (and neighbors)
Wheeler Geological Area (distant)
Conejos River Valley (side trip)
Chimney Rock National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park
Navajo State Park (on Southern Ute Reservation)
Cochetopa Pass and Continental Divide crossing
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Carefully Restored Trading Post (Delta)
Gunnison Gorge Wilderness (Delta area)
Grand Mesa National Forest (near Grand Junction)
Colorado National Monument
Bookcliff Views
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park
Canyon of the Ancients National Monuments
Hovenweep National Monument

These features were selected as outstanding by Colorado's tourism promoters. The Old Spanish Trail has been a series of scenic wonders for many years.

Old Spanish Trail Association - La Vereda del Norte Chapter appreciates your interest.

Free Workshop - Protecting Cultural Collections

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 20:38:19 GMT

The workshop is FREE. Participation in the in-person workshop requires viewing the archived Part 1 webinars BEFORE attending the Part 2 in-person workshop AND completing the workshop assignments. Any exception requires the permission of the instructor. Link to the webinars will be provided upon registration.

Sponsored by Western States & Territories Preservation Assistance Service (WESTPAS)
Co-sponsored by the San Luis Valley Museum Association and the Colorado State Library

Instructor: Julie A. Page, Co-Coordinator, WESTPAS

************************************************************************
The “Protecting Cultural Collections” training is presented in a sequence of two archived webinars plus one in-person workshop to produce the following outcomes:

Complete a disaster response & collection salvage plan
Learn how to train staff to implement your plan effectively
Set pre- and post-disaster action priorities for your collections
Understand practical decision-making skills needed during an emergency
Experience salvage procedures for books, documents, photos & objects

The webinar sessions and the in-person workshop are scheduled to enable participants to prepare short assignments between sessions, resulting in a completed disaster plan. Participating institutions will be invited to join an informal network of WESTPAS trained personnel to provide mutual aid in the event of emergencies involving collections in your region.

Who should attend: Administrators and staff responsible for emergency preparedness, response and decision-making, in all types of cultural institutions. By registering for the workshop, the institution commits to supporting the attendee(s) to achieve the workshop's disaster preparedness goals. When possible, please commit two attendees so they can work together on the disaster preparedness activities.

Cost: No charge to the institution. Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Registration: Pre-registration required. Register online for the IN-PERSON session at: WESTPAS workshophttp://tinyurl.com/ot4kve2
For registration assistance contact: Wendy Cao, caow@plsinfo.org
For general & content information contact Julie Page jpage@calpreservation.org

Featured artists at Rio Grande County

Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:41:44 GMT

History of Summitville Mine

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 20:51:35 GMT

Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 20:46:04 GMT

Getaway Guide: Spend a Weekend in Alamosa, Colorado

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 20:56:57 GMT

Sanford Museum and Pioneer Days

Sat, 15 Jul 2017 21:00:17 GMT

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Rio Grande County Museum Events during Covered Wagon Days

Sat, 15 Jul 2017 20:59:06 GMT

My Life as a Whore

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 21:06:35 GMT

Midsommar Event at the Rio Grande County Museum

Sat, 10 Jun 2017 21:08:56 GMT

Historic Building reopens in San Luis

Wed, 17 May 2017 21:11:11 GMT

Veterans of the Valley, Part I: The Civil War

Sun, 07 May 2017 21:14:11 GMT

To date, Mikayla has researched approximately sixty to seventy veterans from Rio Grande County. It has shown that Rio Grande County has a mixture of Union and Confederates and how once the War was over and the movement west had started, these men and their families came together and built our county. She has found that we had at least two black soldiers who lived and worked in Del Norte and one was an original “Buffalo Soldier.” These two men are buried in the Homelake Cemetery. This project will be ongoing as more veterans are found. Hopefully, the next step in our Veterans Project will be the Spanish-American War and World War I. This phase of the project has been researched for the last six months and will continue.

The result of this research has led to families coming into the Museum with their family stories of their ancestors. It is hope and desire of the Museum staff to have more families want to share their important stories. A benefit from this work is now the Museum can expand our ability to help with genealogy research.

The Homelake Veterans’ History Museum has also contributed to the work with the information that is provided on their website database. The Find A Grave website listings for Monte Vista, Del Norte, Homelake has given dates and other information that has been very important in the project. Polly Cox and Rosalind Weaver have worked hard to keep good information on the Del Norte findagrave.com site and are providing information from their files.

The program, Veterans of the Valley, Part I, The Civil War, will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 with the reception starting at 10:00 a.m. to provide time to visit the exhibits, read the stories and enjoy the other artifacts. Members of the Fort Garland Memorial Regiment will be on hand during the day. Suzanne Bothell arranged with her sister and brother-in-law to provide re-enactment items to show the uniform and personal items from the period. Quotes and recipes of the time will be included in the exhibit. For the experience, “hard tack”may be available for sampling.

The exhibit “Summitville – Then and Now" is still open and runs until the end of June.
For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847 or by email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org . Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $2 per person and $1 for children from 6 to 16. Admission is waived on event days, but donations are accepted to help with fundraising for museum projects. Rio Grande County Museum is a Blue Star Museum which gives free admission to veterans and active military members and their families.

Road trip to Boulder, Colorado

Sat, 06 May 2017 21:17:16 GMT

April 2017 - SLVMA Newsletter

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 21:35:27 GMT

Download File

Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:39:39 GMT

Homelake Veterans' Fundraiser Dinner

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:42:36 GMT

Historic Summitville - Then and Now

Sat, 11 Mar 2017 22:51:46 GMT

2017 Calendar of Events for the Rio Grande County Museum

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 22:56:05 GMT

Collins Exhibit - On July 15, Wade Collins, western artist and storyteller from Saguache will open his art show that will run into August and be part of the exhibit for Covered Wagon Days.

Covered Wagon Days - Hayride into History - Free ice cream will be one of the attractions in the museum on August 5th for Covered Wagon Days . The museum will be partnering with the Covered Wagon Days committee and the Old Spanish Trail’s La Vereda del Norte Chapter this year. “Hayride into History” will be researched by the Rio Grande County Museum staff and will be featured with hay wagon rides through town with the Covered Wagon Days committee. This may be a two-day event if there is enough interest in taking the tour. A event calendar for Covered Wagon Days which will be held Aug 3 - 6th in Del Norte will be posted by the end of May. The Old Spanish Trail - La Vereda del Norte Chapter will host outdoor events on the patios of the museum and will be coordinating with exhibits inside the museum that will feature the Rio Grande blankets in their collection that the traders on the trail would have taken from Santa Fe to Los Angeles.

Bunker Site - The Bunker site exhibit will be coming to the museum during the summer. The date is still undetermined. There are also several talks being worked on that have not been finalized.

For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at (719)657-2847 or at our email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org . The museum's hours are Tuesday through Friday 10am to 4pm and on Saturday 10am to 3pm except on days of events. The museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, Colorado, one block south of the stop light.

October 2016 - SLVMA Newsletter

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 21:58:02 GMT

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Saguache Sunday Showings

Sun, 24 Jul 2016 21:59:49 GMT

July 2016 - SLVMA Newsletter

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 22:01:13 GMT

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Open House - Rio Grande County Museum

Sat, 09 Jul 2016 22:03:17 GMT

On Saturday, July 16th, Rio Grande County Museum will be hosting an open house and reception from 10 am - 4pm that includes exhibits for textiles, weavings, and embroidery. The public is invited to come and tour the museum, talk to the staff and volunteers about the Museum's continuing projects.

Two new exhibits are also opening during the open house and reception. The textile exhibit will show quilts, knitted and crocheted items, Swedish weaving and embroidery from the museum archives. Native American and Rio Grande blankets are the highlight of the exhibits with new blankets donated to the Museum from the collections of Jean Hanna and the Dr. John McFadzean family.

Del Norte School students, Eva Thacker and Angelica Martinez, completed two years of research on dyeing fabrics which is also shown in the exhibit room. Their work discusses various technique and theories of dyeing difference material. The Museum is pleased to be able to show their work.

The Native American exhibit consists of projectile points and other tools, pottery, baskets and petroglyph photos and a slide show of local petroglyphs. The Rio Grande National Forest Service is assisting with an exhibit on Culturally Modified Trees that shows how the forest was used by the Native Americans in various aspects.

On August 6th in conjunction with Del Norte’s Covered Wagon Days , the museum will be hosting the annual Ice Cream Social and the Hayride into History event will start at the Museum.
Rio Grande County Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, just south of the stoplight. Museum hours are Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm except on event days. For more information, please call (719)657-2847 or visit our website at museumtrail.org . Lodging information may be obtained by visiting riograndecountry.com .

Saguache Sunday Showings

Sat, 28 May 2016 22:17:08 GMT

The Saguache County Museum will be hosting a series of free programs on Sunday afternoons. Our guest speakers come from a variety of backgrounds and will talk on a variety of topics. The programs begin at 1:30pm. Refreshments are served. Donations are appreciated.

We invite you to attend the following programs:

June 5th - Jay Young will speak about the History and Future of Colorado Gators. Jay will bring a small alligator with him. Even kids will enjoy Jay’s presentation.

June 12th – Mike Rosso, Owner, Publisher and Editor of Colorado Central Magazine will discuss the goals of the magazine. Published in Salida, it is an interesting and informative magazine, which helps to build a sense of place, a regional community, local culture in central Colorado and the San Luis Valley.

June 19th – No program due to Father’s Day

June 26th – Becky Dolan and Ken Frye, Founders of Native American Research & Preservation, will speak about Modified Trees, Stone Sculptures and Oblong Singing Stones.

If you have any questions about these presentations, please feel free to call Connie at 719-298-7940.

Retrospective Show for J. Byron Williams

Wed, 25 May 2016 22:19:48 GMT

The Rio Grande County Museum in Del Norte, Colorado will host a show devoted to the work of artist, Byron Williams. Byron runs the Smith Market Gallery at the corner of 5th and Denver in Saguache. The museum's exhibit will have examples of Williams' work, going back 40 years including baskets and gourds of many patterns and styles.

Williams has made baskets out of many materials, most frequently basket reed which is a standard basket making material. He has used grapevine, honeysuckle, tulip popular bark, Siberian Elm bark as well as rawhide, wool rovings and yard, paper and fabric. His talents are shown in a wide variety of baskets from traditional to the uniquely creative freeform styles.

Gourds are used for making everything from baskets looking like sculptures to masks and are part of his large collection of art. The art work is accomplished with the use of design itself to the unique painting the color with various dyes and wood varnish, antlers, carving, wood burning and other embellishments. He states that he likes to clean each of the gourds so he “becomes familiar with each one." Each piece is a one of a kind.

The show will be available for viewing from May 25th - June 25th from 10am - 4pm Tues - Fri and 10am - 3pm on Saturday. The reception for the show will be held June 11th from 1:30pm to 4pm. The public is invited to come and enjoy the work of Byron Williams.

The museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, Colorado, just south of the only stop light on Highways 160 and 112. For more information, please contact the Museum at (719)657-2847 or rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org . For information about lodging in the area, please contact riograndecountry.com .

Get Caught Up in History

Fri, 20 May 2016 22:22:52 GMT

You could be a Winner! From May 27 to July 4, members of museumtrail.org are sponsoring a summer campaign to get you caught up on local history.

10 Museums - By visiting ten local participating museums you could win a t-shirt and The Tile app/device. This is a great way to discover local history and have a chance to win great prizes.

Punch Card - Pick up a map and punch card at any participating museum (listed below) and you'll get your card stamped at each museum you visit. One card per person (8 yrs old and up). When you get 10 stamps, drop off your card at the 10th museum to be entered into the drawing. The 10 winners will be announced after July 4th.

Participating Museums:
Creede Historical Society Museum
Creede Underground Mining Museum
Fort Garland Museum
Francisco Fort Museum (La Veta)
Hinsdale County Museum (Lake City)
Homelake Veterans’ History Museum
Jack Dempsey Museum (Manassa)
Luther Bean Museum (ASU)
Monte Vista History Museum
Rio Grande County Museum (Del Norte)
Saguache County Museum
Sanford Museum
San Luis Valley Museum (Alamosa)
Transportation of the West Museum (Monte Vista)

For Sale - The Get Caught Up in History t-shirts are available for sale at most of the participating museums. Get yours while you can!

A special thanks to the San Luis Valley Museum Association , Alamosa Marketing District and the Rio Grande County Tourism for their financial contribution in making this event possible.

Munchies after Museums

Mon, 09 May 2016 22:28:54 GMT

After touring even a couple of museums in the San Luis Valley you'll need to get some sustenance. The area's Farmers' Markets are the place to shop for fresh locally grown produce, crafts, baked goods and music in all the corners of the San Luis Valley?

Alamosa Farmers' Market
Where: State and 6th St
When: 8am - 1pm on Saturdays – Jul 9th – Oct 8th
Info: 719-480-4365
www.alamosafarmersmarket.org

Creede Farmers' Market
Where: 550 Airport Rd
When: 10-2pm on Fridays - Jun 10 - Sept 2nd
Info: 719-873-5466
http://www.villagefarmersmarketcreede.com

Crestone Farmers' Market
Where: In front of the Bliss Café, 187 W. Silver Ave.
When: 10am - 3pm Saturdays - Late Apr (Earth Day) through mid-Oct
Info: 719-256-6400
http://www.slvlocalfoods.org/markets.html

Del Norte Farmers' Market
Where: On Spruce St & Hwy 160
When: 2pm - 6pm Thursdays - Jul 5th - Sept 27th
http://www.slvlocalfoods.org/markets.html

La Jara Farmers' Market
Where: Broadway Ave in front of the Town Hall
When: 3pm - 7pm Fridays - end of Jul to the beginning of Sept
Info: James/Elena at 719-849-9164 /lajarafarmersmarket@yahoo.com
http://www.slvlocalfoods.org/markets.html

Monte Vista Sunshine Market
Where: Fullenwider Park - Hwy 160 and Chico Camino St.
When: 8am - 4pm Fridays – Jun - Aug
Info: 719-852-2731
www.slvlocalfoods.org/markets.html

San Luis Farmers' Market
Where: Downtown San Luis on Main St, Hwy 159
When: 10am - 3pm Thursdays - Jul - mid-Aug
10am - 3pm Fridays - mid-Aug to end of Oct
Info: ssantacruz@wildblue.net
http://www.slvlocalfoods.org/markets.html

South Fork Farmers' Market
Where: Rickel's Arena, 0204 County Road 59
When: 10-2pm Sat and Sun - Jun 18th - Sept 4th
Info: 719-873-5466/karen@southforkfarmersmarket.com
www.southforkfarmersmarket.com

Enjoy the deliciousness the farms of the San Luis Valley have to offer.

#SouthFork #SanLuis #Alamosa #Saguache #Crestone #LaJara #DelNorte #farmersmarkets #montevista #creede #localfoods #livemusic #localcrafts #SanLuisValley #SLV

A Celebration of History and Culture

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 22:38:14 GMT

Monte Vista artist, Craig Lehmann is the featured artist this year. He is a contemporary sculptor with a long career spanning two decades. His work in stone and metal reflects his “free spirit” and his lifetime of experiences.

The Museum again changed with new and updated exhibits but some of the favorites are still showing including the history of the schools in Rio Grande County.

The Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, Colorado. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, please call (719)5657-2847 or email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org or visit the SLVMA's homepage at www.museumtrail.org . For information on lodging while in the area, please visit Colorado’s Rio Grande Country website .

A special thanks to Ruth Carapella at Pen Craft Design Company for her design work on this year's poster/postcard.

Valley Adventures - Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 22:45:27 GMT

Los Caminos Antiguos (The Old Roads) Scenic Byway - “You have entered the land of the Rio Bravo del Norte, the northernmost outpost of sixteenth century Spain. To the Spanish people, the San Luis Valley was a wild and unexplored place known only to the Native people. Amidst the beauty and towering peaks of the valley, the area became the center of conflict and wars born of a clash of cultures.” Point of Interest (POI) Sign at Cumbres Pass

The adventure starts from Colorado’s - Alamosa Welcome Center (corner of State Ave and 6th) to pickup maps and brochures for the sights you’ll be visiting. The Welcome Center is also the jumping off point for the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad over to the town of La Veta. It is a wonderful train ride especially if you take one of their famous “Ride the Rails Summer Concert” trips. While in town, or on your return trip, stop at 1 of 3 museums in Alamosa - the San Luis Valley Museum at corner of 4th and Hunt Ave, the Ryan Geological Museum at Adams State University (ASU) (call ahead first), and the Luther Bean Museum at ASU (call ahead first). There is also a Walking Tour of the historic properties in downtown Alamosa including the Courthouse, Masonic Hall , and Locomotive No. 169 near Cole Park.

Now you are ready to hit the road!! You will head east out of town on Hwy 160 then turn left onto Hwy 17 going north. Turn right onto Rd 6N to go towards the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Just after turning onto Rd 6N on your left is a POI (N37 39.763, W105 52.224) where you can learn about Zebulon Pike and the Valley’s Spanish Land Grants.

“Our land grants ‘pueblitos’, or little villages, always began with the establishment of our church, or ‘iglesia’, and plaza as the spiritual and cultural center of everyday life. Under the sharp eye and wisdom of the ‘mayordomo’, or ditch rider, we shared a system of ‘acequias’, or irrigation ditches, that water our crops.” Point of Interest (POI) Sign on Rd 6N – The People of the San Luis Valley

Further down on Rd 6N will be the San Luis Lakes State Park (N37 39.980, W105 44.097). Continuing along on Rd 6N (heading east) is another POI, “Evidence of a Changing World” on your right (N37 39.757, W105 36.100) that provides wonderful panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo and the Great Sand Dunes and possibly a view of some of the bison or horses from the Zapata Ranch to the south. On your next leg of the trip, make a left onto Hwy 150 north to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve , take your time there is lots to see, to learn and explore.

As you exit the Dunes take Hwy 150 south with another possible adventure just down from the Dunes at the Zapata Ranch (call for reservations) (N37 38.928, W105 35.079), a 103,000-acre ranch owned by The Nature Conservancy of Colorado. If you make reservations ahead of time they provide 3-7 day all-inclusive vacations that can include horseback riding, cattle branding, birding workshops, and Bison tours. Next on the road south stop at the “Waterways of Life” POI, on your right, (N37 38.261, W105 35.357), and then a bit farther south for a hike up to Zapata Falls (N37 37.709, W105 35.693).

“The cultural significance of the area surrounding the Byway can be directly linked by artifacts to some of the earliest known North American hunters, whose time frame is referred to as the Folsom Period. One San Luis Valley campsite has been dated to 10,900 years before present.” Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway Preservation Plan

Just before the intersection of Hwy 160 is a Point of Interest (POI) (N37 28.650, W105 36.129) with some great information about the Sacred Mountain, Mt. Blanca, which is part of the Navajo Four Sacred Mountains . “We are the Diné (pronounced dee-neh) the Spanish called us the Navajo. We call the mountain that stands before you ‘Sisnaajini’ (White Shell Mountain).” The Navajo People - POI Sign on Hwy 150

Turn left onto Hwy 160, you are now entering into Costilla County heading through the town of Blanca and in to Fort Garland. At the intersection of Hwy 159 turn right with a must-stop at History Colorado 's - Fort Garland Museum (Colorado’s oldest still-standing military fort).

Next is a visit to the Costilla County Veterans Memorial Park (N37 25.569, W105 25.225) which is off a dirt road just slightly north/east of the Fort. The site commemorates veterans that served their country and includes a T-33A Shooting Star.

Whew! Depending on how much time you spent at the Dunes and Zapata Falls this might be a place for dinner at All-Gon Restaurant or Silver Sage Steakhouse and to stay overnight at a local motel, or campground before continuing on with the next portion of the trip. Otherwise let's carry on!!

“The primary cultural/historical feature of the byway is the Hispano heritage. Spanish explorers entered the San Luis Valley as early as the 1590's. The land was not empty. The Utes claim their ancestors traveled, hunted, and controlled the region for as many as 10,000 years prior to Spanish expeditions and settlements.” Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway Partnership Plan

You continue the road trip south on Hwy 159 into the town of San Luis, Colorado’s oldest town established in 1851, as the town’s museum states, “Where Colorado Began.” There is so much to see and do around the town’s history, including the People’s Ditch, Colorado’s oldest water rights; R&R Market, Colorado’s oldest continuously operated business; the Stations of the Cross Shrine with statues sculpted by world-renowned local artist Huberto Maestas; and the town’s museum – Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center .

There are a number of historic properties and markers in San Luis including the Courthouse ; the marker for the People’s Ditch (on the south end of town by Main and 1st St.); “ Colorado’s Earliest Settlers ” marker on the north end of town (N37 12.517, W105 25.505); and the Shrine Plaza marker (on Hwy 142 just off of the intersection of 142 and 159). San Luis is decorated with a number of murals including both sides of the building that houses the Ventero Open Press Fine Art Gallery and Huberto Studio & Gallery. Across the street is a potential lunch stop at Café Rosa Mystica.

You will head out of San Luis on Hwy 142 going west. Take a quick jog off onto RD 15 to check out Colorado’s oldest standing church building, Capilla de Viejo San Acacio (Mission of San Acacio). Continue west on Hwy 142 through San Acacio where you will find the San Luis Southern Railway Depot building, another of Colorado’s Historic Properties. Just after you cross over the Rio Grande River, stop and take in the views and location where Don Diego de Vargas forded the river in 1694. (N37 10.83, W105 43.890).

Costilla County, which you have been traveling through; Conejos County, which you are entering; and Alamosa County , where you started; are included in the recently established Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area who are hard at work preserving and celebrating the extensive history and heritage of the area.

When you reach the town of Manassa, make sure to stop at the Jack Dempsey Museum , (N37 10.423, W 105 56.160) birthplace of the world heavyweight-boxing champion. Take a walk across the street to the historic marker for the Mormon Pioneers, one block east. Continue west on Hwy 142.

Turn left heading south on to Hwy 285 then making a right into the town of Conejos and stop in to see Colorado’s oldest church congregation, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (N37 05.302, W106 01.175). Conejos is also the town where Colorado’s first Lieutenant Governor lived and is buried in the Conejos Cemetery (N37 05.033, W106 01.163).

Jump back on to Hwy 285 south entering into the town of Antonito, another town decorated with murals (see a few as listed on Waymarking.com ). There are a number of historic properties along Main St. including the Palace Hotel and the SPMTDTU (La Sociedad Proteccion Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos).

Stop in at the Conejos County Museum and Visitor Center (N37 04.179, W106 00.818) at the south end of town to get the lay of the land, the history of the area and maybe a selfie with their mountain lion. Take a jog around the corner to the famous Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad rail yard and historic train depot with another opportunity for a scenic train ride.

“Other stories are woven into this cultural landscape. These include stories of European trappers and traders and their encounters with the Utes and Spaniards; of the expansion of railways into the region; of the birth of new towns with diverse heritages; and of water and land fights that continue into the present. The land and its stories continue to draw travelers and settlers. The ancient roads live on.” Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway Partnership Plan

As you leave Antonito you'll take the last leg of the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway heading on Hwy 17 south through Mogote and towards the Conejos Canyon area and on up into the Rio Grande National Forest. The La Manga Pass and Cumbres Pass provide spectacular views and additional history on the early settlement of the area and information about such valley residents as world-famous weaver Eppie Archuleta .

So ends the Museums of the San Luis Valley’s – Valley Adventures road trip of the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway but there is still a bit more history that can be enjoyed within the San Luis Valley's - Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area …

To close the loop (returning back to Alamosa) and to experience more of the history of this portion of San Luis Valley .... Turning around head north on Hwy 17 back through Antonito. Pick up Hwy 285 north towards the town of La Jara. Just after the turnoff for Manassa is a monument on your left (N37 10.684, W105 59.207) for the Citizens of Conejos County that lost their lives fighting during WWII. When you reach the town of La Jara make a quick stop at the Town Hall building a historic renovated Train Depot (N37 16.512, W105 57.623).

From La Jara’s Depot you will head south on Broadway. Turn left onto Rd W/Cnty Rd 136 over to Sanford to get a tour of the Sanford Museum (call ahead) (N37 15.422, W105 54.326). Next you can go to the National Historic Landmark of Pike’s Stockade (N37 17.890, W105 49.178) where Lt. Zebulon Pike and his men, in 1807, built a fortification to protect them against the hard winter. To get to the Stockade from the Sanford Museum head north up Main St to where it “T”s, merge right onto Rd W/Ash St. Turn left at Rd 20, then a right at Rd Y (a dirt road). Follow Rd Y to the entrance for the Stockade. If the gate is closed there is a on-foot-walk-around (the stockade is another 8/10th of a mile down the dirt road). To head back to Alamosa just head north on Rd 24 (a dirt road) through the beautiful farmlands back into Alamosa and the completion of this issue of the Valley Adventures - Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway through some of Colorado's earliest history.

“Come take a walk with us. We know an old song, El Caminante, which tells of taking a long walk along the ancient roads. Like the first prehistoric inhabitants, you too are a ‘caminante’, or one who walks upon this land.” POI Sign on Rd 6N– The People of the San Luis Valley

Saguache Pioneer Days

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:56:51 GMT

Calling all Teachers (class/homeschool) and Parents -- This is your child’s opportunity to learn how their great-grandparents lived here in the San Luis Valley with activities including making adobe bricks, a quilt patch, churn butter, use a loom, sit on a horse saddle and so much more!!

The Saguache County Museum is once again hosting Pioneer Days for area children, their parents and teachers on Tuesday or Wednesday, May 10th and 11th. From 10am-3pm they will tour the entire museum and participate in all kinds of activities such as:

Making adobe bricks
Learn the parts of a horse saddle
Selfies while sitting on a saddle
Use an old-fashioned wash tub and scrub board
Sit in jail with Alferd Packer
1908 Jail selfies
See what a cloth diaper is
Add your name to a graffiti board

In order to keep their energy going, how about some homemade bread spread with butter that the children will make.

Inside the museum they will have a guided tour of all 8 rooms, that includes learning stations to make a 4-piece quilt patch, a bracelet on a loom, and if we have any time, even sing some of the old songs by the player piano. The children can keep their quilt-patch and bracelet to take home as souvenirs.

For all this we are charging everyone (including all parents and teachers) only $1 apiece. However, if the adult is not accompanying a child they will be charged the regular adult fee of $7. If there is a child in your class who cannot afford the $1, we have a small slush-fund to help with this. Just tell me when you call to make your reservations.

To make the necessary reservations call Dorraine at 256-4281. Hope to see you on Pioneer Days at the Saguache County Museum. Located at the corner of Hwy 285 and San Juan Ave, Saguache, Colorado.

Lehman Art Exhibit

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 14:27:06 GMT

The Rio Grande County Museum has the pleasure of hosting a show for Monte Vista, Colorado sculptor, Craig Lehman from April 6th to end of May with the opening reception on April 9th from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Lehman is a contemporary sculptor with a unique style that is recognizable with a quiet, mystical and peaceful quality. He manages to find a balance between intuition and intellect with stoic beauty.
After high school, Lehman spent his time doing odd jobs and traveling and working across the United States and even Columbia. He finally found the San Luis Valley and Adams State University where he earned a degree in biology and a minor in archeology. After exploring other professions, he was drawn back to school to study sculpture. He received an MA in sculpture and a minor in drawing. He then worked in a foundry in Santa Fe.

In 1998 he left Santa Fe to devote his time to his own work branching out from bronze to produce one of a kind pieces in steel, bronze, stone and wood. His work is featured in several books, magazine articles, in numerous private collections as well as the collection of the Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

Rio Grande County Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, Colorado. The hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the Museum via ph: (719)657-2847, Facebook , or our website www.museumtrail.org .

April 2016 - SLVMA Newsletter

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:59:17 GMT

Download File

Spring Exhibits @ Rio Grande County Museum

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:11:07 GMT

Return of the Corn Mothers

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 16:15:36 GMT

Colorado Experience: The San Luis Valley

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 16:17:42 GMT

Rocky Mountain PBS and History Colorado's - Colorado Experience focuses on some of the Valley's first and oldest: Oldest town, church, water rights, land grants and the original Coloradans, the Utes!

MMoAA travels through the San Luis Valley

Sat, 17 Oct 2015 15:18:44 GMT

article by Ruth Heide - Valley Courier

Mobile Museum coming to San Luis Valley

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:19:46 GMT

October 11, 2015 - SLVMA Newsletter

Sun, 11 Oct 2015 15:20:22 GMT

Homelake Veterans Museum receives $164,000

Sun, 04 Oct 2015 15:22:56 GMT

Hilos Culturales presents Desde Ayer Exhibit

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:31:46 GMT

Fort Garland - A Historical Perspective

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:37:43 GMT

article by Dave Gordon, Alamosa Visitors Guide - A Traveler's Blog

One Colorado mountain town has a sign between the post office and their one tavern that reads - "On this site, September 15, 1890, nothing happened.' Good humor, though something had to have happened, if for no other reason than someone was there to document that nothing happened.

From the western movie The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance --a story about the fictitious town of Shinbone coming of age in an unnamed western state over many years—an eastern newspaper reporter and his editor listen to Jimmy Stewart recount his journey as a young lawyer in the territory and how he came to serve as governor, then become a US Senator for several terms and become a vice presidential candidate. The turning point early on in his career, which led to his fame, had been a gunfight where he shot and killed Liberty Valance, one of the stereotypical bad guys that stood in the way of progress in our western territories. When Stewart's character recounts that the shooting was not all his doing, the editor states matter-of-factly that "This is the west sir, when the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

Calvary Barracks - Fort Garland Museum. Photo credit: Alamosa Visitors Guide

What does this have to do with Fort Garland, Colorado? Historical facts and legends have passed through Fort Garland. But history in the west in the 1800s has been skewed, skewered, shrouded, and exaggerated and in the process, created legends and making historical facts less than accurate.

Forts have been a part of westward expansion since Europeans hit the eastern shores of the United States. Forts became homes to soldiers and settlers and a place for protection from 'bad elements,' whether it was American Indians having to attack a fort to protect what they believed to be their territories and livelihoods, or, it was often foreign countries in political struggles with new Americans fulfilling the loose, misunderstood, and controversial concept of 'manifest destiny,' whereby American Settlers believed they had the right to expand the new country all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Which meant overrunning Indian tribes and moving the survivors to reservations, fighting with Mexico and booting out claims by France, Britain, Russia, and Spain. In perspective, New Mexico and Arizona were still territories and not states until 1912. Fort Garland opened in what was then the territory of New Mexico until 1861 when the Colorado territory was created.

Entrance - Fort Garland Museum. Photo credit: Alamosa Visitor's Guide

Forts began in the San Luis Valley (SLV) when Fort Massachusetts was built in 1852, six miles north of the present day town of Fort Garland. Built of wood and located next to Ute Creek, Fort Massachusetts proved to be too swampy and isolated to help settlers in the valley, and too vulnerable to attack from the Ute Indians who were not happy about their valley being invaded. By 1856, a new fort was planned and being built. Occupied in 1858, Fort Garland was built with adobe, as the local Hispanic populations had been using adobe successfully from New Mexico northward. As artisans of the craft of adobe construction, they were recruited to help build the many buildings that became Fort Garland.

Fort Garland's role in American History became significant for several reasons. I am lucky enough to have two ancestors who wrote diaries. My great great grandfather served the Union in the 30th Iowa infantry division. He enlisted in August of 1862. Earlier that year in the month of March, the Confederacy, in an attempt to help fund the war effort against the Union, sent an army up the Rio Grande Valley through New Mexico territory from El Paso, Texas toward the gold mines in present-day Colorado. Two-hundred Union Soldiers stationed at Fort Garland made a cold snowy trek south through the mountains to aid other Union Forces in stopping the Confederates. The Union was successful at the Battle of Glorieta Pass east of Santa Fe. The Confederates were stopped from ever reaching gold and they were stopped well short of another goal of securing the southern parts of New Mexico, Arizona, California and the port of San Diego, and making all of that strategic land part of the Confederacy. Had the Confederacy been able to secure those goals and fund the war effort, the US might not be a united country. My great grandfather fought to take Vicksburg, Chattanooga, all the battles for Atlanta, and go on Sherman's (Uncle Billy they called him) March to the Sea. Had the South been able to secure more resources, Union Soldiers would have faced perhaps, a very different, well supplied army.

Fort Garland Museum with Mt. Blanca in background. Photo credit: Alamosa Visitors Guide

My great grandmother, as a young girl, was moving to the midwest from the East coast in July of 1863 and passed through Gettysburg where two weeks earlier, yes, the Battle of Gettysburg took place. Her grandmother had hidden in the cellar for three days and when she emerged after the battle, she found three unexploded cannonballs lodged in her house. My great grandmother became a Methodist missionary in the fall of 1887 and was sent to Tucson. Had Arizona become part of the Southern Nation, northerners may not have been allowed. So Fort Garland has played an indirect role in my history. NOTE: I make reference to Southern Nation as I had been to a 150th anniversary battle reenactment in Resaca, Georgia (battle took place in May of 1864) in which my grandfather fought and I talked to a southern re-enactor. He was wearing a U.S. brass belt buckle upside down. He told me that Confederates would strip dead Union soldiers of their buckle and wear it upside down for Southern Nation. A U.S. belt buckle is on display at Fort Garland Museum.

Fort Garland played another critical role one year after the battle of Glorieta Pass preserved the West for the Union. Beginning in March 1863, people in the nearby valleys and the SLV were being murdered for no explainable reason. The bodies were also being mutilated. Finally, after one attack, one person was able to escape and identify the killers. Felipe Espinoza, his brother , and a cousin were carrying out the murders to avenge deaths of relatives and because they felt that their lands which were Spanish Land Grants recognized by the United States Government were stolen or squatted upon illegally. As the story (legend?) goes, Felipe Espinoza had been a child in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the Mexican War of 1846-1848. The US Navy spent several days shelling the city from the Gulf of Mexico and when Felipe had been away, six members of his family had been killed in the shelling. Escorted by a nun, a young Felipe had to identify the badly mutilated bodies of his family which later manifested into a killing spree of his own, vowing to kill 100 anglos for every family member, including the governor of the Colorado Territory at the time!

Soldiers from Fort Garland were on the hunt for the Espinozas but their efforts proved unsuccessful until the commanding officer at Fort Garland recruited Tom Tobin , whose history parallels Kit Carson in his abilities as a trapper, a scout, a fighter, and bounty hunter. Tobin was able to track down the Espinozas in October of 1863 and put an end to the killing spree. (Tobin's daughter married Kit Carson's son.)

Dioramas in Calvary Barracks. Photo credit: Alamosa Visitors Guide

After the war, Kit Carson became the commanding officer at Fort Garland in 1866-67 before retiring for health reasons. He died a year later but leaves his legend, legacy and name on many things; a town, a mountain, a National Forest, a county, etc. His life and legend had been highly inflated by the dime store novelists at the time who were giving readers in the East nearly unbelievable tales of Carson's adventures in the West. Though he had done his share of Indian fighting, he was instrumental in helping the Utes make an attempt at peace with the settlers and miners moving into the San Luis Valley in large numbers. The history in the San Luis Valley in the 1870s became a serious clash of cultures. After Carson and Chief Ouray of the Utes died, and with the continued inflow of people, peace between the two groups eroded.

By 1876, African American soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry divisions were stationed at Fort Garland. They had the difficult duty of trying to get the Ute Indians onto reservations. The Buffalo Soldiers were a mixed group of free blacks who had fought in the Civil War and those who joined the army after the war to receive an education, develop stronger self images, and live a life in the Army that was better than the life from which they came. Segregation was reality as was the prejudice they faced, but history shows they were good soldiers. Apparently the name Buffalo Soldiers came from the Indians with whom they had to fight and interact. Indians could see that the Buffalo Soldiers were fierce fighters and in a term of respect, considered them fighters like wild buffalo. Also, the curly African American hair reminded them of the hair between the horns on the buffalo. The name Buffalo Soldiers stuck.

Buffalo Soldiers Exhibit - Fort Garland Museum. Photo credit: Alamosa Visitors Guide

A visit to the Fort Garland Museum helped me to understand the westward expansion of the U.S. a lot better, painting a vivid picture of the fort's role. The museum is just south of Highway 160 on Highway 159. And though, in its 25 year history, when in 1883 the railroads were moving in and the fort was no longer necessary, there were 'boring' days when not much happened besides staying warm in the winter, feeding the horses, going through drills, and performing other soldier duties, Fort Garland played an important role in history.

If passing through Fort Garland, there are no excuses not to visit the Museum. Buildings have been restored and each one is its own museum, whether it be the Buffalo Soldiers' quarters or the Civil War building. An extensive bookstore/gift shop has hundreds of books on the history of those interesting times. Hungry for more? Internet search for - Fort Garland CO, Kit Carson, Tom Tobin, Felipe Espinoza, Ute Indian tribes in Colorado , Manifest Destiny, and the book, Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond (a fascinating book on European expansion of cultures and why they had advantages over others, including one 'accidental' advantage of disease - which may have killed up to 95% of the Indian tribes Euros encountered), and the Battle of Glorieta Pass. Start with those, which should occupy most of a rainy day when otherwise you might be doing 'Nothing.'

Timeline - Fort Garland Museum. Photo Credit: Alamosa Visitors Guide

Fort Garland Museum is located at 29477 Highway 159, Fort Garland, CO 81133
Alamosa Visitors Guide - A Traveler's Blog

Valley Adventures - Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway

Sat, 22 Aug 2015 15:40:53 GMT

Download File

July 1, 2015 - SLVMA Newsletter

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 15:41:37 GMT

San Luis Valley's - Old Spanish Trail Landmark

Sun, 28 Jun 2015 15:52:19 GMT

Area museums connect to histories

Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:53:07 GMT

By PHIL RAY JACK, Valley Courier

My first experience with a museum was helping dad get the Jack Dempsey Museum in Manassa ready for its dedication. I was only 10, so I probably wasn't much help, but dad was always patient, and he could find creative ways to keep me busy and out of the way.

Maybe that's why I love museums so much. It may have helped when Jack Dempsey actually came to town for the dedication of the park and museum, and I got to shake his hand. I remember how my hand and most of my arm seemed to disappear in his huge grasp, and the kind laughter in his eyes as he shared stories with an appreciative audience.

For whatever reason, I've always viewed museums as living connections to our histories and cultures. As I explore the exhibits, I almost find myself transported to a different place and time, and I realize that those who have gone before weren't all that different than me.

It's a little like the explanation given by Lois Lowry in her novel Messenger: "That's why we have the museum, Matty, to remind us of how we came, and why: to start fresh, and begin a new place from what we had learned and carried from the old." Every museum tells stories , each from a different perspective. Twenty local museums, including the Francisco Fort Museum in La Veta and the Old Spanish Trail "outdoor" museum, make up the San Luis Valley Museum Association.

Most of the people keeping the museums open are volunteers, and resources are limited. "By coming together , the museums are able to share resources and support one another," explained Kat Olance, president of the association .

The association started in 1998 with 12 museums coming together to celebrate, preserve and share the stories of the people and history of the San Luis Valley. That same year, the museums found a home on the internet through the group's website. The portal is a way to attract visitors to the museums.

Recently, the organization received a $2,500 grant from the Alamosa Marketing District Board to upgrade and improve the functionality of the Museum Trails website. "We were able to give it a new look and a new layout ," Olance explained.

"Visitors will go online to plan their trips, and for many of the museums, this is the only web presence they have," she continued. "We are already seeing positive results from the upgrade."

The Valley's museums are now working on a photo preservation plan that will lead to the digitization of the museum's photograph collections , which will help expand and preserve historical photographs electronically.

The Leadership and Legacy of Dr. Eppie Archuleta - by Amos Archuleta

Wed, 27 May 2015 15:54:57 GMT

Congratulations to Amos Archuleta, the Sangre de Cristo Heritage Area (SdCNHA) - History Colorado Scholarship Recipient for the Best Project on SLV History. The SdCNHA presented his scholarship at the its Board Meeting. Check out his project of the story of his great grandmother's leadership and legacy - Dr. Eppie Archuleta a world-renowned weaver.

http://62999621.nhd.weebly.com/

Hampton Sides @ Fort Garland Museum

Fri, 15 May 2015 15:55:50 GMT

Crestone Charter School Tour the Old Spanish Trail

Tue, 12 May 2015 15:57:42 GMT

The Old Spanish Trail was used from 1829 to 1848, as an official trade route between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. Woolen textiles, woven in Northern New Mexico, were traded for strong Californian mules and horses. This trail then became the Old Conejos Road which settlers used to conduct business in Conejos County, before Rio Grande County was established in 1874.

A report from the kids noted, “we were startled when we saw the cart tracks [from the Old Conejos road] and how rugged the folks must have been. Standing out on the lonesome land and looking around at a whole lot of nothing made us all realize what great survivalists and problem solvers these early travelers must have been.” The talk then turned to “how easy we have things, running water, wind-proof and warm shelter, cars that go 70 mph, TV and so on.” The kids wondered if they could have “made it on the trail.”

Their teacher, Robin Blankenship of Earth Knack, teaches primitive skills throughout the year and the students have been learning how to start friction fires (rubbing two sticks together-no matches), how to use maps and a compass, and how to navigate by natural landmarks and patterns, the sun, the moon and the stars. They have studied how to make rope from plant fibers and how to identify local plants for medicinal and edible uses. They have also studied Spanish History and the history of the SLV throughout the year. Our thanks to Robin, her assistant Jessica Martinez and the kids for adventuring on the Old Spanish Trail with us.

For information about the local chapter of the OST @ http://www.museumtrail.org/old-spanish-trail.html or contact Ken Frye, President of La Vereda del Norte Chapter, at 719-657-3161, kennruth@gojade.org or Suzanne Off 719-657-2350, offislandranch@gmail.com or the National Association @ www.oldspanishtrail.org . We have many interesting , educational and exciting events planned for the future. This is more than a Southern Colorado Trail, it is 2700 miles of three braided routes traveling through 6 southwestern states.

Rio Grande County Museum - Opening Events

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 15:58:20 GMT

April 1, 2015 - SLVMA Newsletter

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:08:30 GMT

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Saguache Museum's - Summer Events

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 16:10:58 GMT

The Great Sand Dunes is #10 of 30 Surreal Places in the US

Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:11:44 GMT

One of the San Luis Valley's many sites is featured in travel article:

Travel.viralnova.com

http://travel.viralnova.com/surreal-us-destinations/

Make sure to visit the Valley's museums for more of Colorado's "won't believe" history.

Penitentes: A Non-Sensationalized Perspective

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 17:13:45 GMT

Del Norte's own -- Astronaut Hall of Fame will induct Rominger

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 17:16:39 GMT

Ute Ulay Project - 2015 Colorado's Most Endangered

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:27:10 GMT

Same Location, Different Time - Photographs of Creede

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:28:56 GMT

Museum Mural Completed

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:30:42 GMT

"Images depicting historic figures, beautiful landscapes, significant landmarks, and timeless symbols cover the north wall of the San Luis Valley museum – reflecting the diverse heritage of the San Luis Valley.

Last week, Adams State University alumnus Ian Wilkinson completed the museum's mural, located on Fourth St. and Hunt Ave. in Alamosa, Colo."... click here for full articl e

Following the Old Spanish Trail across the Southwest

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:31:49 GMT

by James Miller
High Country News

https://www.hcn.org/issues/44.5/following-the-old-spanish-trail-across-the-southwest

Homelake Cemetery Improvement Project underway

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:32:41 GMT

by Erin Smith
Valley Courier

http://www.alamosanews.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=74&story_id=22159

Jack Dempsey still delivers punch for Manassa

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:34:10 GMT

Click here to read - Denver Post-Sports article by Terri Feri

The "Manassa Mauler" - world Heavyweight Champion 1919-1926