Historic Forts Days this Saturday

El Camino Real International Heritage Center will host its fifth annual Historic Forts Day on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shuttle service from Socorro will be available, call 575-835-1501. Ongoing events throughout the day include living history reenactments of soldier camp activities including bulletmaking, black powder demonstration, treadle sewing, open fire and horno cooking as well as the center's demonstration by Gary Williams as he works on building a carreta (wagon). Also featured is a special lecture series about forts in New Mexico, courtesy of the New Mexico Historical Society. A slideshow lecture on Fort Stanton starts off the events at 10 a.m. The presentation is by Gwendolyn Rogers, courtesy of Lincoln State Monument, includes information on the history of Fort Stanton as well as current preservation efforts at the fort. At 11 a.m., the Socorro Back Country Horsemen will conduct a talk and demonstration on mule packing. Members of the New Mexico Historical Society will present a short lecture series on the role of forts in New Mexico...read more