Re-enactors attend Camp Furlong Day at Pancho Villa State Park in Columbus, New MexicoColumbus, NM – Situated near the bootheel of New Mexico and in the southernmost part of the state, Pancho Villa State Park is located on the former site of Camp Furlong. Camp Furlong is a National Historic Landmark located in the Village of Columbus, NM. Camp Furlong Day will be observed on Saturday, March 10. Historical presentations and educational activities are scheduled at Pancho Villa State Park, the Village of Columbus Plaza and the Columbus Train Depot Museum on that day. The Friends of Pancho Villa State Park will host an art show in the park's Customs House all day.
The public is invited to attend Pancho Villa State Park's 15th Annual Camp Furlong Day. The State Park will offer three special guest speakers providing historical presentations & slide-shows in the park's Recreation Hall building as follows:
- 1 p.m. – Author Michael Archie Hays will talk about Maud Hawk Wright's harrowing abduction from her home in Mexico by Pancho Villa. Hear her story of being forced to ride with his men for 9 days while on the way to raid Columbus, NM on March 9, 1916.
- 2 p.m. – Retired U.S. Army historian Dr. Robert Bouilly will reflect on the 100th anniversary of the "Bisbee Deportation" of some 2000 striking miners who ended up in Columbus after being forced off a train in the desert near Hermanas, NM on July 12, 1917.
- 3 p.m. – President of the 1st Aero Squadron Foundation, Ric Lambart, will give a presentation and slide-show about the use of airplanes in General Pershing's Punitive Expedition into Mexico and the "re-birth" of American civil aviation in 1917.
"Camp Furlong Day honors the strong ties between Mexico and the United States," said John Read, Pancho Villa State Park Manager. "Residents of both countries and visitors will join in the sharing of our common heritage."
At Pancho Villa State Park, regular day-use and camping fees apply. For more information about Camp Furlong Day, call 575-531-2711, or visit www.PanchoVillaStateParkFriendsGroup.org or www.nmparks.com