HISTORIC EXPOSURE

Fort Bayard Symposium

Looking at cultural crossroads in Southwest New Mexico

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In recognition of the fort’s 156th birthday, the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society is hosting a day of presentations and discussions revolving around the interaction of the area’s cultures at the facility, ever since its founding in 1866. The symposium will be held from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20 at the New Deal Theater, located on the grounds of Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark. The landmark can be accessed from Fort Bayard Road, just north of U.S. Highway 180, six miles east of Silver City.

Speakers include Joe Saenz of the Chihenne and Warm Springs bands of the Apache nation, who will touch on the impact of Fort Bayard on the lives of his people.  Joe is a well-known native interpreter, actor and tour guide with many years of experience bringing the native perspective to the history of the Southwest.

Dr. Doug Dinwiddie, currently serving as president of the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, will present the story of Buffalo Soldier Walter Loving, who enlisted as a bandsman at Fort Bayard, then went on to become a world-renowned music director whose credits included leading the Philippine Constabulary Band, once described by John Philip Sousa as the finest band he ever heard. Prior to retiring back to Grant County, Dinwiddie served as a Professor of History at New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, and Colorado State University, where he received several teaching awards over his career.

Cecilia Bell, current vice president of the FBHPS, will deliver a presentation on the lives of several prominent women whose lives both influenced and were influenced by Fort Bayard. Among those was Josephine Clifford, sometimes referred to as the “mother” of Fort Bayard. Mrs. Bell is a widely known historian and preservationist in the Southwest and was named recipient of the prestigious Bradford Prince Award for Historic Preservation, by the Historical Society of New Mexico.

The event is supported by the New Mexico Humanities Council and is open free of charge to the public.  For more information, contact Doug Dinwiddie at 575-388-4862, or email historyguy51b@gmail.com.


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