The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society will host several special events on Saturday, August 18, in commemoration of the 152nd anniversary of the founding of the Fort. All events will take place on the grounds of the historic military post and hospital, at Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark. The facility is located north of US Highway 180, 1.3 miles north of the Village of Santa Clara, and six miles east of Silver City.
On August 21, 1866, Company B of the 125th Infantry Regiment U.S. Colored Troops, under the command of Lt. James M. Kerr officially established Fort Bayard, which was named in honor of a Union general killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia in December 1862. Since then the fort has played a major role in the history of the nation, New Mexico, and the local area. It served for over thirty years as an active military post during which time it played a major role in the conflicts with the Apache groups resisting white settlement, including the struggles with forces led by Victorio, Cochise, and Geronimo. In later years the post became an Army hospital, then a Veterans medical facility, and finally a State Hospital. It was granted National Historic Landmark status in 2004.
The celebration will commence with a flag raising ceremony on the parade ground at 9 a.m. The Fort Bayard Museum, located in the commanding officer’s home along the west side of the historic parade ground, will open at 9:15 a.m., with tours of the museum and parade ground area beginning at 9:30.
At 10:45 a.m. local rancher Deily Crumbley will present a talk entitled “Ranchers and the Feeding of Fort Bayard." The talk will cover the mutually beneficial arrangement that developed between the fort and nearby ranches, including those owned and operated by Mr. Crumbley’s ancestors. The talk will be held outside at the museum, weather permitting, or in the theater building on the east side of the parade ground in the event of wet weather.
Members of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society will be in uniform and period costume to answer visitors’ questions and provide further information on the history of the post. Birthday cake and refreshments will be served.
The historic New Deal Theater along the east side of the parade ground will host an evening event as the celebration continues. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with a barbecue sandwich meal served at 6:30. Cost of the dinner is $15, and reservations are required. Reservations may be made by calling Dr. John Bell at 575-956-3294, or Becky Dinwiddie at 970-222-5084.
Following the meal, a special program will be presented by Mr. Ralph Estes, entitled “The West: Singing its Story." In song, Mr. Estes will “Take a trip through a thousand years of the American West, from Anasazi Indians to the Atomic Age. Like the Indians and cowboys, the trappers and traders, we'll sing as we go because their songs tell a big part of the story.” Mr. Estes’ performance is made possible by the New Mexico Humanities Council’s Speakers Bureau.
Other than the dinner, all other events are free. Donations are welcome.
For more information, call Dr. Doug Dinwiddie at 575-388-4862 or Cecilia Bell at 575-388-4477.