The River and the Trail
Preservation Month 2018
El Paso County, Texas
Preservation Month was established as an event in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP). The event is co-sponsored by local preservation groups, State historical societies, business and civic organizations around the country. Many events are planned to promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, promoting heritage tourism and showing the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.
The celebration of Preservation Month in El Paso was expanded from a focus on one of the historic districts in the city to a countywide series of events in 2017 with the theme of “Preserving Our Places.” There were 26 events and 32 organizations sponsoring or hosting events in 2017.
In 2018, we are expanding our celebration beyond the parameters of the 31 days of May and have designated our theme as “The River and the Trail.”
At this time we have 31 events and 19 organizations participating in Preservation Month 2018. Organizations include: El Paso Mission Trail Association, Harvey Girls of El Paso, International Museum of Art, San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, Comite Biancional de CRDTAS, Benson Latin American Collection at U.T. Austin, C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Dept. at the UTEP Library, El Paso History Radio Show, City of Socorro, Keystone Heritage Park Association, El Paso History Alliance, Texas Trost Society, Center for Environmental Resource Management at UTEP, El Paso Museum of History, El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum, Southwest Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Concordia Heritage Association, Publicity Committee of the El Paso County Historical Commission, University of Texas El Paso.
Effective Date: April 14, 2018
For more information contact: Ron Leiman, ronleiman2@gmail.com
WEEK 1
Friday, April 20
Socorro Community Cookbook
Deadline for submittals is April 30
Contact: Vreta@ci.socorro.tx.us
Submit family recipes with your name, phone number and any photos for inclusion into this online cookbook.
Sponsor: City of Socorro
Sunday, April 22
First Thanksgiving 1598
Socorro Mission (328 S. Nevarez Rd., 79927)
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-9997 or www.elpasomissiontrail.com
The First Thanksgiving Reenactment will be at 3:00 PM.
Throughout the day there will be exhibits, performances, and food.
Sponsors: El Paso Mission Trail Association
Harvey Girls of El Paso 112thAnniversary Celebration
The International Museum of Art (1211 Montana)
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Contact: 915-591-2326 or 915-751-3631
At 2:00 PM, Allan Affledt presents historic preservation efforts for Fred Harvey locations in Winslow, Arizona and Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Learn about Albert Alvidrez’s “Pottery along the Railroad” and the Harvey Girls in the Southwest.
Sponsors: Harvey Girls of El Paso, International Museum of Art
WEEK 2
Thursday, April 26
Last Thursday’s Walking Tour with the Texas Trost Society
San Jacinto Plaza
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Contact: 915-703-3151 or malissa@trostsociety.org
Join us for the Texas Trost Society’s Pop Tour during Last Thursdays in Downtown! This month we will visit our new favorite coffee shop in downtown, District Coffee Co., and Lair Gallery – both inside the soon-to-be-remodeled International Building, AND get an exclusive tour of the ground floor! Next, we will head over to the Hills Building to visit one of our favorite local painters, Abel Saucedo, and visit the upstairs mural collection – which is currently closed to the public – then we will end at International Bar in the Roberts-Banner Building for specialty drinks and views of beautiful San Jacinto. Not a bad way to spend Thursday evening, if we do say so ourselves!
Sponsors: Texas Trost Society and Last Thursday’s El Paso
Camino Real de Tierra Adentro en El Septentrion, Binational Committee Presentation
Adobe Horseshoe Theatre, 1500 Main Street, San Elizario 79849
5:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
Presentation on the progress and work by the Communities, the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH) and other professionals along the Camino, in compiling the critical data for consideration in a UNESCO nomination.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, Comite Binacional de CRDTAS
Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario
1500 Main Street in San Elizario 79849
5:00 – 10:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
Old West Shootouts, Heritage Booths, Arts and Crafts, Live Entertainment, Food, and More.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
Friday, April 27
Historical Maps Workshops
UTEP Library, Room 204A
9:00-10:00 AM: Examining the Evolution of the Mexican Spatial Landscape
Noon – 1:30 PM: Mapping the Origins of 16thCentury Friars in Mexico with Carto
3:00-4:00 PM: Curate “Mapping Mexican History” Digitally
Register at: https://mapping_history_utep.evenbrite,com
Contact: Abbie Weiser 915-747-6839 or ahweiser@utep.edu, or Claudia Rivers 915-747-6725 or crivers@utep.edu
Sponsors: Benson Latin American Collection at U.T. Austin and the C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Dept. at the UTEP Library.
April 1598: 27thAnnual History Conference
1500 Main Street, San Elizario, Texas 79849
10:00 – 4:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
Historical presentations and seminars.
Fundraiser Dinner and Show: Noche Espanola Mestiza at 7:00 PM
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario
1500 Main Street in San Elizario
Noon – 9:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
Old West Shootouts, Heritage Booths, Arts and Crafts, Live Entertainment, Food, and More.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
Saturday, April 28
El Paso History Radio Show: Preservation Month 2018
Tune into AM 690 from 10:00 AM – Noon
Ron Leiman joins Jackson Polk and Melissa Sargent to discuss and highlight the May events celebrating “The River and the Trail”/
Sponsors: El Paso History Radio Show
April 1598: 27thAnnual History Conference
1500 Main Street, San Elizario, Texas 79849
10:00 – 4:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
International historical presentations and workshops.
Conference Luncheon at 1:00 PM with Texas BBQ and entertainment by Ballet Folklorico Flor y Canto and Mariachi Arturo Guerrero.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario
1500 Main Street in San Elizario
Noon – 9:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
Old West Shootouts, Heritage Booths, Arts and Crafts, Live Entertainment, Food, and More.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
Sunday, April 29
Scenic Sundays: A Walk Through Time
Meet at the intersection of Robinson and Scenic Drive
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Contact: ekappus@southwestuniversity.edu
Walk on a traffic-free Scenic Drive and enjoy learning about the geology, history, and legends of the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez region, all the way up to Scenic Point!
April 1598: 27thAnnual History Conference
1500 Main Street, San Elizario, Texas 79849
10:00 – 1:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
International historical presentations and workshops.
At 4:30 PM there will be a historic reenactment of “La Toma” by Don Juan de Onate in April 1598 and subsequent Birth of the American Southwest by Eden Enterprises, directed by David Mills and Hector Serrano.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
Rio Grande Festival in San Elizario
at 1500 Main Street in San Elizario
Noon – 9:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.SanElizarioHistoricDistrict.org
Old West Shootouts, Heritage Booths, Arts and Crafts, Live Entertainment, Food, and More.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society.
WEEK 3
Thursday, May 3
Hispanics in the United States: A Historical and Contemporary Discussion
El Paso Museum of History (510 Franklin, 79901)
6:00 PM
Contact: 915-212-3163
Historian Orlando Romero, author and former director of the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library, will provide an overview of Hispanic contributions to American history that have been largely ignored.
Sponsors: El Paso Museum of History
Friday, May 4
Socorro Art Show Grand Opening
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Rio Vista Community Center at 901 N. Rio Vista Rd. 79927
Contact: 915-860-8615
The City of Socorro will open their month-long art exhibit at the historic Rio Vista Farm on Friday evening.
Sponsors: City of Socorro
Saturday, May 5
Heritage Preservation on the Rio
Keystone Heritage Park (4200 Doniphan Drive, 79922)
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Contact: Bernie or Melissa Sargent at 915-581-7920
Programs include nature walks, history talks and exhibits regarding the Rio Grande and its influence on West Texas and the Southwest.
Sponsors: Keystone Heritage Park Association, El Paso History Alliance.
Tales on the Trail: Hueco Tanks and the Butterfield Overland Trail
10:00 AM – Noon
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site at 6900 Hueco Tanks Road #1, El Paso, TX 79936
Cost: $ 9 adult / $ 2 children includes park entrance fee
Contact: Dr. Kendra Moore at Kendra.Moore@tpwd.texas.gov
The Overland Mail Company was formed in 1858 to transport mail from St. Louis, Missouri to San Francisco, California over the Butterfield Overland Trail. A stagecoach station was created along the route at Hueco Tanks. We will take a short hike to the station site and hear tales from the trail. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing.
Architectural Film: The Fountainhead
International Museum of Art (1211 Montana, 79901) (parking in back)
2:00 PM
Contact: 543-6747
Jay Duncan will introduce this film of Ayn Rand’s novel and lead a discussion following the viewing.
Sponsors: International Museum of Art
Sunday, May 6
San Elizario Historic District Free Walking Tour
Meet at Main Street Mercantile, 1501 Main St., San Elizario 79849
Noon
Contact: 915-851-0093
This is a slow walking (wheelchair accessible) tour of approximately 2 ½ hours of the San Elizario Historic District featuring over 415 years of historical events.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society
Construction and Renovation of the Turney Mansion, a Trost Masterpiece
International Museum of Art (1211 Montana 79901) (parking in rear)
2:00 – 4:30 PM
Contact: 543-6747
Mary Jo Melby, Prince McKenzie and Derrell Hiett will discuss the life and work of William Ward Turney and the construction of the largest mansion in El Paso. Turney commissioned Henri C. Trost to design the mansion constructed by Ponsford Brothers Construction. There will be a focus on the adaption for public use and restoration process by the City of El Paso.
Sponsor: International Museum of Art
WEEK 4
Thursday, May 10
EPCC Student Research Projects 2017-18
El Paso Museum of History (510 Franklin, 79901)
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Contact: 9 15-212-3163
El Paso Community College students will share research projects completed during the academic year.
Sponsors: El Paso Museum of History
Saturday, May 12
Birding at Rio Bosque
at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park (meet at the bridge crossing the Riverside Canal at the entrance to the Jonathan Rogers and Roberto Bustamante water treatment plants; map http://research.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=67249.
7:00 AM
Contact: John Sproul, 915-747-8663 or jsproul@utep.edu
Bird migration should be in full swing during this time of peak bird diversity at Rio Bosque. On this relaxed two-mile hike, participants will explore the Bosque’s birdlife and discuss changes in avian use of the park.
Sponsor: Center for Environmental Resource Management at UTEP
El Paso History Radio Show: El Paso Train Show
Tune into AM 690 from 10:00 AM – Noon
Ron Leiman and Woody Bare join Jackson Polk and Melissa Sargent to discuss and highlight the El Paso Train Show on May 18-20.
Sponsors: El Paso History Radio Show
A Celebration of the City’s Birthday and the El Paso Streetcar
Cleveland Square and El Paso Museum of History (510 Franklin, 79901)
1:00 – 4:00 PM
Contact: 915-212-3163
Enjoy a picnic in the park, entertainment, crafts, light refreshments, transportation scavenger hunt, gallery tours and a restored streetcar display.
Sponsors: El Paso Museum of History
Sunday, May 13
San Elizario Historic District Free Walking Tour
Meet at Main Street Mercantile, 1501 Main St., San Elizario 79849
Noon
Contact: 915-851-0093
This is a slow walking (wheelchair accessible) tour of approximately 2 ½ hours of the San Elizario Historic District featuring over 415 years of historical events.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society
WEEK 5
Thursday, May 17
The Spanish Legacy in the Southwest
El Paso Museum of History (510 Franklin, 79901)
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Contact: 9 15-212-3163
Dr. Ignacio Martinez will speak about the settlement and colonization of the Southwest by Spain during the 17thand 18thcenturies. This is part of the Lessons from the Past, Looking towards the Future lecture series in collaboration with UTEP.
Sponsors: El Paso Museum of History, University of Texas El Paso
Friday, May 18
El Paso Train Show
at Freeport McMoRan Park (850 Hawkins Blvd)
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Contact: Woody Bare at 915-204-3600 or woodybare@yahoo.com
Celebrate the arrival of the railroad in El Paso in May 1881. The show features Southern Pacific Locomotive 3420 (1904 steam locomotive first used on the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad).
Sponsors: El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum, Southwest Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Harvey Girls of El Paso
Saturday, May 19
Socorro Community Cleanup of the Mission Trail
7:30 AM
Meet at Rio Vista Community Center, 901 N. Rio Vista Rd. 79927
Contact: 915-860-8615
Sponsors: City of Socorro
El Paso Mission Trail Association Open House
9:30 – 1:30 PM
Nestor Valencia Transfer Center at 9065 Alameda
Contact: TBA
Stop by the original Lowenstein House on the northwest corner of Alameda and Zaragosa Road for refreshments.
10:00 AM – Noon: Walking Tour of Historic Sites in the Ysleta Historic District led by Joseph Longo.
Noon: Spanish Guitar and Flamenco Dancing
Sponsors: Mission Trail Association
Preservation Workshop for Current and Potential Owners of Historic Homes
10:00 AM
Site TBA
Cost: $ 35 per person
Contact: malissa@trostsociety.org
Join Doug Yost, President of Buyer’s Advocate Real Estate Inspectors, for a four-hour workshop which includes lunch, handouts, and a walkthrough of a historic home. Learn how to research historic homes, what to look for when purchasing a historic home, who can do the restoration and how to review ordinances.
Sponsors: Texas Trost Society.
El Paso Train Show
at Freeport McMoRan Park (850 Hawkins Blvd)
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact: Woody Bare at 915-204-3600 or woodybare@yahoo.com
Celebrate the arrival of the railroad in El Paso in May 1881. The show features Southern Pacific Locomotive 3420 (1904 steam locomotive first used on the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad).
Sponsors: El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum, Southwest Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Harvey Girls of El Paso
Socorro Community Mini Library Donation Celebration
10:30 AM
Rio Vista Community Center, 901 N. Rio Vista Rd. 79927
Contact: 915-860-8615
A boy scout donates a community library to the City of Socorro.
Sponsors: City of Socorro
Sunday, May 20
Introduction to the Rio Bosque Environment
at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park (meet at the bridge crossing the Riverside Canal at the entrance to the Jonathan Rogers and Roberto Bustamante water treatment plants; map http://research.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=67249.
8:00 AM
Contact: John Sproul, 915-747-8663 or jsproul@utep.edu
Participants will get a glimpse of what the biologically rich and diverse environment of the river valley once was like on this relaxed two-mile hike. The park’s ecosystem and changing landscape will be explored.
San Elizario Historic District Free Walking Tour
Meet at Main Street Mercantile, 1501 Main St., San Elizario 79849
Noon
Contact: 915-851-0093
This is a slow walking (wheelchair accessible) tour of approximately 2 ½ hours of the San Elizario Historic District featuring over 415 years of historical events.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society
El Paso Train Show
at Freeport McMoRan Park (850 Hawkins Blvd)
Noon – 5:00 PM
Contact: Woody Bare at 915-204-3600 or woodybare@yahoo.com
Celebrate the arrival of the railroad in El Paso in May 1881. The show features Southern Pacific Locomotive 3420 (1904 steam locomotive first used on the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad).
Sponsors: El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum, Southwest Chapter of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, Harvey Girls of El Paso
WEEK 6
Sunday, May 26
San Elizario Historic District Free Walking Tour
Meet at Main Street Mercantile, 1501 Main St., San Elizario 79849
Noon
Contact: 915-851-0093
This is a slow walking (wheelchair accessible) tour of approximately 2 ½ hours of the San Elizario Historic District featuring over 415 years of historical events.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society
WEEK 7
Memorial Day on Monday, May 27
Honoring Forgotten War Veterans
at Concordia Cemetery in the Buffalo Soldier Memorial Monument Area
10 AM – Noon
Contact: 915-591-2326
The veterans include Civil War Confederates and the Grand Army of the Republic, Mexican War, Indian Wars, Buffalo Soldiers, Spanish American Rough Riders, Punitive Expedition, Mexican Revolution, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
Sponsor: Concordia Heritage Association
Thursday, May 31
Flora and Fauna in Trost & Trost Downtown Architecture
Meet at San Jacinto Plaza
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Contact: Malissa Arras at malissa@trostsociety.org
Take a tour of downtown El Paso with the Texas Trost Society as we explore Henri C. Trost’s incorporation of local plant life and animals in the ornaments of his buildings.
Sponsor: Texas Trost Society
Birth of the American Southwest: The Onate Expedition
El Paso Museum of History (510 Franklin, 79901)
6:00 – 7:00PM
Contact: 9 15-212-3163
Al Borrego, Director of the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society and historian for the Sociedad Cultural de Espana, will talk about Don Juan Onate taking possession of all of the land that the Rio de Norte (Rio Grande) drained and its colonization.
Sponsors: El Paso Museum of History
Friday, June 1; Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3
Billy the Kid Festival
San Elizario Historic District at 1500 Main St., San Elizario 79849
5:00 – 10:00 PM
Contact: 915-851-0093 or www.BillytheKidFestival.com
San Elizario celebrates Billy the Kid’s Visit to San Elizario in1876. See historic reenactments of the historic breakout of Billy’s friend at the Old El Paso Jail. Learn the historic truths of his visit.
On Sunday, June 3 see a presentation of the historic play. “1876: Billy the Kid in San Elizario”.
Sponsors: San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society