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Category: Community News Community News
Published: 09 May 2019 09 May 2019

img 0512The museum at Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark now has on display a plaque proclaiming the importance of the building to the nation’s history. The Thomas Nelson Chapter of The American Society of the Daughters of the American Colonists donated the plaque, which was presented to officers of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society during a ceremony at the museum on May 4.

The Daughters of the American Colonists is a patriotic organization that seeks to promote awareness of our nation’s past through education and historic preservation of important structures. The U.S. Army Hospital Commanding Officer’s home at Fort Bayard now serves as the museum. It was constructed in 1911 on the site previously occupied by the Fort’s commanding officer’s quarters during its time as an active military post involved in the Indian Wars. After the Army converted the fort to a hospital complex, doctors persuaded the chain of command that more modern accommodations were necessary for physicians assigned to the hospital, and a major construction project was undertaken, resulting not only in the new commander’s home, but also new housing for other doctor-officers along what came to be called “Doctors’ Row”, along the west side of the old Parade Ground.

The first occupants of the building were Dr. George Bushnell and his wife Ethel.  The only single family dwelling on Doctors’ Row, the commanding doctor often hosted VIP’s in the home.

Today, the Preservation Society maintains exhibits in the building, and offers guided tours.   The museum is open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., through October.  Group tours may be scheduled by calling 575-388-4862 or 575-574-8779.