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

img 0524The Historical Society of New Mexico has announced that William A. Kupke of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, has been named the winner of the prestigious Bradford L. Prince Award.  The award, named for a New Mexico Territorial Governor, is given annually to an individual who has excelled in the field of Historic Preservation in the Land of Enchantment.

Mr. Kupke is a founding member of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, and has worked tirelessly for over thirty years to tell the fort’s story to citizens and visitors.  He is described by his fellow society members as a “living encyclopedia” on the equipage, life, and duties of soldiers serving in New Mexico between 1846 and 1899. He has vast knowledge of the period of the Indian Wars in New Mexico, and especially the role of Fort Bayard in that era.

Mr. Kupke has published several works, including  “The Indian and the Thunder Wagon”, in 1992, and “Fort Bayard’s Military Period: 1866-1899”.   He is especially knowledgeable on frontier army artillery, and portrays an Army Artillery Sergeant in the living history programs at Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark.  He also serves as a tour guide at the fort site. Additionally, he was honored at a recent ceremony by the Preservation Society, where he was presented with a Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to the craft of history.