News Release
NPS Photo/Gary Cascio
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Contact: Visitor Center, 505-757-7241
Pecos, NM: The annual Civil War Encampment at Pecos National Historical Park will take place Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will bring to life the experience of the Civil War in New Mexico. Interact with living history participants, take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon, witness black powder demonstrations, and hear speakers share their expertise on life during the Civil War in the West. Children of all ages can make crafts, play historical games, and meet the snakes from the American International Rattlesnake Museum.
Schedule of Events:
Black Powder Demonstration
10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.
Kids’ Activities
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Stop by the kids’ tent to create and decorate a 19th century optical illusion toy called a thaumatrope, re-create the Pecos Valley during the Battle of Glorieta with Lincoln Logs, toy soldiers, and horses or have a friendly competition playing the popular Civil War-era game of quoits.
Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Travel back in time as you enjoy a free horse-drawn wagon rides between the Visitor Center and the encampment field. The horse rides are a popular attraction, so be sure to arrive early!
Lecture: Field Artillery of the Civil War
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Field artillery provided a heavy punch with a long reach to both Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. Ken Dusenberry of the Artillery Company of New Mexico will break down the basics of how and why artillery was used in the 19th century with a specific emphasis on the types of artillery used in the Battle of Glorieta and the Battle of Valverde.
Live Snakes!
12:00 p.m. -12:45 p.m.
Join the American International Rattlesnake Museum for a live snake presentation. Learn more about the vital role that snakes play in this rugged environment, the challenges they face, and what we can do to be safe around our slithering neighbors.
Black Powder Demonstration
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
See, hear and experience the power of black powder weapons like rifles, cannon and muskets.
All events are free and open to the public. From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left. Please be sure to check in at the information tent upon arrival to confirm event locations and times.
Many thanks to park partners including the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, Western National Parks Association, the Artillery Company of New Mexico, the 9th Texas Infantry Unit, 4th Texas Mounted Volunteers, the Civil War Ladies League and the 3rd NM Volunteers Living History Unit from Fort Union National Monument for their invaluable help with this event.
For more information about the park in general, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).
Last updated: March 2, 2020