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).
Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park 