Pecos National Historical Park – Page 2 – Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park

Cancelled: 2020 Feast Day Celebration at Pecos Pueblo

Community Outreach, Feast Day, Park Events, Pecos National Historical Park projects

Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park has cancelled this year’s Feast Day at Pecos Pueblo in an effort to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to adhere to the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Feast Day at Pecos Pueblo, which usually takes place every August, represents the fulfillment of a long-standing promise. Before leaving Pecos Pueblo in 1838, the last inhabitants of Pecos Pueblo entrusted a special painting to St. Anthony’s Parish in the Village of Pecos. This portrait depicts the patron saint bestowed upon the Mission of Pecos in the 1620s. This year would have marked the 50^th anniversary of the local community fulfilling its promise to perpetually honor the saint by celebrating a feast day mass in the remains of her final church.

For more information contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit 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 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 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.

Becky Latanich

Pecos National Historical Park

Chief of Interpretation and Education

PO Box 418

Pecos, NM 87552

Teleworking M-F (505) 699-8486

Do you know the true story of the Gettysburg of the West?

Civil War Trail, PNHP News

A recent article written by Friends board member, Andres Romero, was published in the New Mexico Military Museum newsletter. With his permission I’ve reposted it on the Friends website.

Gettysburg of the West article

Hiking at the Civil War Trail in Glorieta

Civil War Trail

Taking a hike on the Pecos National Historical Park Civil War Trail During our time of social distancing, there are a few places that you can get away from the house, get some exercise, breath some fresh air and still stay a healthy distance from folks. The Pecos National Historical Park has the 2.3 mile Civil War Trail the takes you up and down hills through the trees and tells a story of the historic battlefield of Glorieta Pass. Visitors to the PNHP Civil War Trail

The trail is located behind a locked gate, but you can get the gate code at the Visitor Center at the main park. Be sure to lock the gate after you go in and when you leave. This code changes regularly, so when the park Visitor Center opens again, you’ll need to call for a new one. It’s a little tricky to find.

Here are driving directions:

Take Interstate 25 Exit 299 and Hwy 50 toward Pecos.
Turn right at La Joya Road. Watch the speed bumps there are several!
Turn right at Old Denver Hwy and drive to the end of the road to the locked gate.
Since the Visitor Center is closed for the moment, the gate code is 9506.

Visitor Center phone: (505) 757-7241
Park website: www.nps.gov/peco

Signage a the midway point Pecos National Historical Park Civil War Trail

2020 Civil War Encampment – March 28th

Park Events

2020 Civil War Encampment

Schedule of Events and Location

Pecos, NM: The annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will take place Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon, witness black powder demonstrations, and hear speakers share their expertise on life during the Civil War in the West. Children of all ages can make crafts, play historical games, and meet the snakes from the American International Rattlesnake Museum.

Schedule of Events:

Black Powder Demonstration

10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.

Kids’ Activities

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 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 quoits.

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Travel back in time as you enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon rides between the Visitor Center and the encampment field. The horse rides are a popular attraction, so be sure to arrive early!

Lecture: Field Artillery of the Civil War

11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Field artillery provided a heavy punch with a long reach to both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Ken Dusenberry of the Artillery Company of New Mexico will break down the basics of how and why artillery was used in the 19th century with a specific emphasis on the types of artillery used in the Battle of Glorieta and the Battle of Valverde.

Live Snakes!

12:00 p.m. -12:45 p.m.

Join the American International Rattlesnake Museum for a live snake presentation. Learn more about the vital role that snakes play in this rugged environment, the challenges they face, and what we can do to be safe around our slithering neighbors.

Black Powder Demonstration

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.

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. Please be sure to check in at the information tent upon arrival to confirm event locations and times.

Many thanks to park partners including the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, the Artillery Company of New Mexico, the 9^th Texas Infantry Unit, 4^th Texas Mounted Volunteers, the Civil War Ladies League and the 3^rd NM Volunteers 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).

Park Announces Plans for 2020 Spring Fishing Season

Park Fishing Program

Pecos, NM: Beginning February 6^th, Pecos National Historical Park will offer spring fishing permits for the Pecos River within the park boundaries. The 2020 spring fishing season will begin March 5^th and ends April 13^th.

For the 2020 fishing seasons, Pecos National Historical Park will be using an online reservation system. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance via www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. A $15 per day fee must be paid online during the online reservation process. Please note that anglers are still required to check in and acquire a special use permit at the park visitor center prior to fishing. For more information related to fishing, visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm.

Within the park, three miles of the Pecos River are divided into three sections or “beats.” This approach offers anglers roughly one mile on the Pecos River to fish with up to two other people for the day. Three beats (for up to nine anglers per day) are available on the reservation system.

Preservation Crew Announcement

Park Employment, PNHP News

I wanted to take a moment to let you know that Pecos National Historical Park is hiring several summer seasonal positions this year. The work mostly surrounds adobe preservation and work on the ancient church and convento. We are looking for people with adobe skills and those who are wanting to learn skills. Please pass this message along to anyone you think might be interested. I truly hope that our local community can get these jobs to continually improve our local economy and population.

The deadline for application is this Friday. We do NOT take applications in person at the park. All applications must be submitted on-line through the link below. Successful applications must be filled completely and accurately. Partial applications will not be accepted by the website.

Laborer, WG-3

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/554782800

Maintenance Worker (Historic Preservation), WG-5

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/554911100

Masonry Worker, WG-7

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/555365900

Please help us get the word out. Again application are due by Friday at the links provided above. We are looking for employees with skills or a hard work ethic.

Respectfully,

Karl P. Cordova

Superintendent

Pecos National Historical Park

P.O. Box 418

Pecos, NM 87552

Historic Kozlowski Trading Post to open in the Spring at the Park

Community Outreach, PNHP News

Many of us frequently drive by the historic Kozlowski trading post on NM-63 between Pecos and Rowe. For the past year this pink adobe building has been undergoing a transformation, from an idle building alongside the highway to a wonderful new Pecos National Historical Park improvement that will soon be available to the public.

Santa Fe New Mexican article featuring the trading post

Inside view of construction in the Trading Post. Photo credit: Paul Weideman

Kozlowski trading post at Pecos National Historical Park — Photo credit: Paul Weideman. Inside courtyard of the trading post construction site.

Annual Feast Day Celebration at Pecos Pueblo

Community Outreach, PNHP News

Traditional dancers from the Pueblo of Jemez

Pecos, NM: Pecos National Historical Park will host the annual Feast Day celebration at Pecos Pueblo on Sunday, August 11^th. Join in a time honored tradition as community members from the Pueblo of Jemez and Pecos celebrate Feast Day mass inside the ruins of Our Lady of the Angels ofPorciúncula (Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula). Following the 9:30 a.m. mass, the Feast Day celebration continues with traditional dancers from the Pueblo of Jemez and fresh rolls from the horno. Dances are expected to begin late morning; photography is permitted.

Feast Day at Pecos Pueblo represents the fulfillment of a long-standing promise. Before leaving Pecos Pueblo in 1838, the last inhabitants of Pecos Pueblo entrusted a special painting to St. Anthony’s Parish. A symbol of the pueblo’s adoption of Christianity as another form of religion, this portrait depicts the patron saint bestowed upon the Mission of Pecos in the 1620s. Every August, Pecos village fulfills its promise to perpetually honor the saint by celebrating a feast day mass in the remains of her final church.