New Mexico Volunteer Living History Program

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News Release Date: September 3, 2008
Contact: Frank Torres, 505-425-8025

Fort Union National Monument is seeking volunteers for its living history program. The program will create a National Park Service volunteer living history group that focuses on providing public history interpretive programming to the general public, school and community groups relating directly to the history of the New Mexico Volunteers, Civil War, and Fort Union National Monument.

The story of Hispanic soldiers in the Civil War is one of the least known in the United States. This project provides an avenue for visitors to connect with the history and heritage of the Civil War. “By developing a program that tells the local history of Hispanic American involvement in the Civil War, it provides an opportunity for volunteers to bring to life a story which has very little recognition” according to Chief Ranger Frank Torres. “With the willingness of future prospects engaging in this activity, it is truly rewarding and very enjoyable.”

The New Mexico Volunteers will portray Hispanic soldiers of the 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry. For eligibility to join the program, volunteers must be age 16 or older, a resident of New Mexico, and be willing to learn authentic Civil War maneuver and operational commands in Spanish. New volunteer recruits will be provided hands-on training.

For more information regarding the New Mexico Volunteer program please contact Frank Torres at [phone] ext.26. Fort Union National Monument is located near Watrous, NM, on I-25 exit 366, 8 miles on NM-161.

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