Fort Bayard, the last fort to be established in the Territory of New Mexico, on August 21, 1866, has endured many changes since its beginnings with soldiers entering and leaving through the Sallyport, and the sounds of the bugle announcing routine events throughout the day. Primitive buildings were replaced by adobe, and later brick and plaster. Buildings that no longer were needed when the 1922 VA Hospital was built were removed.
Again, when the State of New Mexico became the owner of Fort Bayard in August of 1965, other buildings such as the Solarium were removed. Usable materials were sold or given to the area residents to be used again. With the completion of the VA Hospital Demolition project, a piece of the history was lost. Many stood at the fence with tears in their eyes.
However, on August 20, the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society invites the public to join us in honoring the past, and planning for the new.
The Fort Bayard Museum will open at 9:15 with tours beginning at 9:30. At 10, Nancy Owen Lewis, author of "Chasing the Cure in New Mexico", will present her findings on Fort Bayard's and Silver City's sanitoriums. Following her presentation, Patsy Miller, a long-time member of the Gila Regional Hospital Auxiliary, will discuss the transition of the VA Hospital into a New Mexico State Health Facility. Ms. Miller was employed at Fort Bayard as the Operating Room and Central Supply Supervisor. Following the transition, she became Director of Nursing and Operating Room Supervisor until her retirement in 1993.
Doors will open at 6 PM at the Cross Point Church on US 180 East for dinner and presentation by Dr. Doug Dinwiddie. Most in the southwest are familiar with the surrender of Geronimo, but are not aware of the years following. Dr. Dinwiddie will speak on "From Skeleton Canyon to Fort Sill; The Chiricahua Captivity from 1886 - 1913". Dinner, prepared by Eddie Evatt, is $12.50 for Society Members and $15.00 for non-members.
To make reservations or more information, please call 575-388-4477.