The Friends of Pecos NHP and park volunteer Stan Ford will lead a night photography session for a limited number of participants of all levels. Participants should plan to bring their own cameras (with manual mode), tripods, red-bulb flashlights, and weather-appropriate clothing. Reservations are required and space is extremely limited; please contact fotosbyford@gmail.com to register and for more information.
2022 Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park
Pecos, NM: This year’s annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will be a blend of virtual and in-person events. On Thursday, March 24th and Friday, March 25th the park will co-host online educational programs and discussions. On Saturday, March 26th visitors can join us for a free, family-friendly encampment to bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, witness black powder demonstrations, and try your hand at drilling with wooden muskets.
Schedule of Events:
Thursday, March 24th
7:00 p.m.
Virtual Presentation: Fort Union and the Civil War
Fort Union was the most important post for the U.S. Army in the Southwest during the Civil War years. Join Fort Union National Monument Park Ranger Mike Weinstein for a conversation about the role of Fort Union–both as a defender of New Mexico and as a target for invading Confederate troops–in the Civil War. Presentation hosted by the Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park. Registration required; see registration information below.
Friday, March 25th
7:00 p.m.
Virtual Presentation: Sam Adams: An African American Civil War veteran and his New Mexican Life
Hannah Abelbeck, photo archivist in the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives at the New Mexico History Museum, will delve into the life of Samuel Adams. Supported by rich historical photographs, she will examine the experience of an African American Civil War veteran who served with the Colorado Volunteers. Registration required; see registration information below.
To register for virtual programs, please e-mail peco_visitor_information@nps.gov with your name, phone number and the dates of the lectures for which you would like to register. Registration must be received no later than noon the day of the event. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the presentation. We have a limited number of available slots, so please register early. If you have any questions, please call 505-757-7272.
Saturday, March 26th
Civil War Encampment
Kids’ Activities
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Stop by the kids’ tent to create and decorate a 19th-century optical illusion toy called a thaumatrope, re-create the Pecos Valley during the Battle of Glorieta with Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, and horses or have a friendly competition playing the popular Civil War-era game of trap ball.
Black Powder Demonstration
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
See, hear, and experience the power of black powder muskets.
Living History and Drilling
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Visitors can participate in mock soldiers’ drills with wooden muskets and connect with living history presenters in the encampment field.
Cannon Firing
12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Observe the power of Civil War era cannon firing.
All events are free and open to the public. From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way-stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.
Many thanks to park partners including the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, the Artillery Company of New Mexico, Volunteers from Living History Unit from Fort Union National Monument for their invaluable help with this event.
For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
Grand Opening of Museum Exhibits
On Thursday, March 9th, the museum exhibits inside the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center will reopen to the public. The new exhibits offer diverse viewpoints of the rich history of the Pecos area and include voices from affiliated indigenous peoples and the local community. The exhibits meet all requirements for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will appeal to visitors of all learning styles. Touch a three-dimensional model of the pueblo and mission church, step inside a painstakingly recreated pueblo room, or be inspired to design your own pottery. There is something for everyone!
For updates and more information, visit our social media pages listed below, or contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241.
You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
Pecos Pueblo Moonlight Hike – Last of the Season
Pecos, NM: – Engage all your senses on this special ranger-led full moon tour of Pecos Pueblo. Encounter the stories and history of the Pecos and Spanish people in a setting few ever experience!
Join us on Saturday, September 10 at 7:45 p.m. for a nighttime tour of Pecos Pueblo and Spanish mission church. Visitors are permitted to bring red-bulb flashlights, though rangers will have lanterns to guide the way. No flash photography is permitted. This event is weather dependent. Visitors interested in the tour must reserve a place, as space is limited to 20 participants. For reservations call 505-757-7241.
The park entrance gate will open at 7:25 p.m. and will shut at 7:40 p.m. Attendees will meet at 7:45 p.m. in front of the visitor center. The tour will end by 8:45 PM.
Pecos NHP Civil War Battlefield Trail to Reopen
Pecos National Historical Park’s Civil War Battlefield Trail will reopen to the public on Saturday, June 25th. Ranger-guided tours of the battlefield will resume on Friday, July 1st. The visitor center (including film, museum exhibits and bookstore) is open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Park grounds are open 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
For more information about the park contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
Civil War Era Soldier Presentations at Pecos NHP
Join staff from Fort Union National Monument on July 9th and 10th for an interactive program about the 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass. The living historian will be outfitted as a Union soldier and will offer visitors an opportunity to explore the typical soldier’s kit including uniform, personal effects, tools and firearms. The presentations will take place at Pecos National Historical Park visitor center between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on both days. For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241.
Pecos NHP Closed to Public Due to Wildfire
Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park will close to the public at 4:30 pm on May 21, 2022, due to nearby wildfire danger. All programs and activities will be indefinitely delayed, and no access to the park will be permitted. Travel around the park will be restricted as firefighters respond to the wildfire. The park management team will reassess and release updated information via press releases, social media, and the park website. For more information about the park contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
Park Offers Special Hike to the “Lost” Church
Pecos, NM:– Pecos National Historical Park will offer a hike with Park Archaeologist Jeremy Moss to the site of the Lost Church on Saturday, May 14th. Along the one-mile roundtrip hike to the ruins of the church, also known as the Ortiz Church, you will explore the fascinating history of some of the earliest missionary efforts in Northern New Mexico. The church, which dates from 1617-1621, was first described and mapped by Adolph Bandelier in 1880. Much has been learned about this historical treasure since then. Come see for yourself!
This two-hour program is an off-trail hike along uneven terrain through areas frequented by snakes. Reservations are required and space is limited to 15 participants. Attendees will meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m.
For more information and to make reservations, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241.
You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the visitor center will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the visitor center will be on your left.
Becky Latanich
Pecos National Historical Park
Chief of Interpretation and Education
PO Box 418
Pecos, NM 87552
Upcoming Civil War Virtual Lecture Series
Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park and the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park will host two virtual lectures this March in support of the commemoration of the 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass. Please note that the programs are free, registration is required, and space is limited.
Thursday, March 24th
7:00 p.m.
Fort Union and the Civil War
Fort Union was the most important post for the U.S. Army in the Southwest during the Civil War years. Join Fort Union National Monument Park Ranger Mike Weinstein for a conversation about the role of Fort Union–both as a defender of New Mexico and as a target for invading Confederate troops–in the Civil War.
Friday, March 25th
7:00 p.m.
Sam Adams: An African American Civil War Veteran and his New Mexican Life
Hannah Abelbeck, photo archivist in the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives at the New Mexico History Museum, will delve into the life of Samuel Adams. Supported by rich historical photographs, she will examine the experience of an African American Civil War veteran who served with the Colorado Volunteers.
To register for virtual programs, please e-mail peco_visitor_information@nps.gov with your name, phone number and the dates of the lectures for which you would like to register. Registration must be received no later than noon the day of the event. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to join the presentation. We have a limited number of available slots, so please register early. If you have any questions, please call 505-757-7272.
For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park 