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The National Trust for Historical Preservation has designated the month of May as Preservation Month. This year the celebration has expanded and now features programs and events across El Paso County.
This year we have 27 events with 33 organizations hosting or supporting events including the El Paso Community Foundation, Preservation Texas, El Paso Historical Society, Mission Trail Association,Hueco Tanks State Park, San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, Special Collections UTEP Library, Railway and Locomotive Society, City of Socorro, National Trust for Historic Preservation, UTEP Center for Environmental Resource Management, Casa Magoffin Companeros, Texas Trost Society, El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum, El Paso Public Library, Keystone Heritage Park, PlacitaMadrid, VeloPaso, United States Green Building Council, Friends of the Rio Bosque, El Paso Water, El Paso Archeology Society, El Paso Museum of Archeology, Cesar Chavez Academy, Ysleta ISD, District 19 Retired Teachers, Ysleta Historic District Committee, Concordia Heritage Association, City of El Paso, El Paso County, El Paso County Historical Commission, El Paso History Alliance and El Paso History Radio Show.
For additional information on Preservation Month 2017 Activities, please contact Ron Leiman (ronleiman2@gmail.com) or Shelley Sutherland at (shelleysutherlandsss@gmail.com) .
Effective Date: April 24, 2017 (noon)
Week I: May 1-7
Endangered Historic Places in Far West Texas
Keynote Speaker: Evan Thompson, Executive Director of Preservation Texas, will get the month started by talking about preserving our history with a special emphasis on sites in El Paso.
Thursday, May 4. 5:30 PM. In the Foundation Room at the El Paso Community Foundation at 333 N. Oregon (79901). This event is hosted by the El Paso Community Foundation. For more information contact Gary Williams at 915-533-4020.
Historical Tour of Barrio Duranguito
Join Dr. Max Grossman and Dr. David Romo for a one hour bilingual tour of El Paso’s oldest neighborhood, Duranguito. Included on the tour is the Chinese Laundry, the Mansion and the Trost firehouse No. 11 plus discussion of Mexican-American History and other topics.
Friday, May 5. 6:00 PM. Meet at the Firefighter’s Memorial Park near the corner of W. Overland St. and Leon St.. This event is hosted by the El Paso History Alliance. For more information contact Dr. Max Grossman at 915-533-3603.
A Five Points Solution
Robert Diaz presents a program which advocates for the preservation of one of El Paso’s classic neighborhoods. This history of the neighborhood will be presented with a focus on practical and effective arguments for preservation.
Saturday, May 6. 10:00 AM. At the Burges House at 603 W. Yandell (79902). This event is hosted by the El Paso County Historical Society. For more information contact Robert Diaz at 915-533-3603.
Ysleta Historic District Talk and Driving Tour
Nestor Valencia, El Paso Mission Trail Association President, and Nick Houser, Historian, will meet everyone for a talk before leading this driving tour which features historic sites in this old neighborhood. Sites include: the Ysleta Mission, La Salida de Los Santos, the Brooks Hotel (Trost 1928), site of the Ysleta County Courthouse (1882) now the RFK Pre-K Center, historic buildings on Old Pueblo and Old County Roads, and Ysleta High School.
Saturday, May 6. 10:00 AM. Tour will start at the Mission Valley Visitor Center at 9065 Alameda (79907). This event is hosted by the Mission Trail Association. For more information contact Sylvia Barron at 915-851-9997.
Historic Inscriptions at Hueco Tanks 1849-1920
Sebastian Ribas-Normand will present a program that includes a site visit to an area with historic inscriptions and graffiti left by visitors to Hueco Tanks. The first inscriptions date back to 1849 when potential prospectors came through the El Paso area on their way to California. Discussion will include preservation of the inscriptions.
Sunday, May 7. 1:00 PM. At Hueco Tanks State Park, 6900 Hueco Tanks Road (79938). This event is hosted by Hueco Tanks State Park. For more information contact Sebastian Ribas-Normand at 915-240-9217.
San Elizario Historic District Walking Tour
This easy (1 ½ mile) walking tour covers 419 years of history. San Elizario was the site of the first county seat in El Paso County.
Sunday, May 7. 1:00 PM. Meet at Los Portales Museum and Visitors Center on the Plaza in San Elizario. This event is hosted by the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society. For more information contact Al Borrego at 915-851-0093.
Week 2: May 8-14
Researching Historical Buildings and Neighborhoods
Archivists Claudia Rivers and Abbie Weiser will show materials from UTEP’s Special Collections that can be used for research including deed records, city directories, Sanborn’s Fire Insurance Maps, personal papers and photographs.
Wednesday, May 10. 6:00 PM. At the UTEP Library, 6th Floor Special Collections. (Please note there is free parking near the library after 5:30 PM.) This event is hosted by the Special Collections Department UTEP Library. For information contact Abbief Weiser at 915-747-5697.
Southern Pacific Railroad Talk
Join Prince McKenzie and members of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society (R&LHS) for a talk on the Southern Pacific Railroad which arrived in El Paso 136 years ago.
Wednesday, May 10. 7:00 PM Talk. Consider joining the R&LHS for dinner ($ 10) at 6:00 PM followed by a business meeting. At St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 11050 Montwood (79936). This event is hosted by the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. For more information contact Prince McKenzie at 915-240-8384.
Rio Vista Farm Talk and Tour
The City of Socorro in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation will host a community interactive event to showcase the Rio Vista Community Center. The focus will be on gaining public involvement to better coordinate the future use and programming of the center. Following an update on the project, there will be a walking tour of the Rio Vista Farm Complex.
Friday, May 12. 6:00 PM. At Rio Vista Farm, 800 Rio Vista Road, El Paso (79927). For more information contact Victor Reta at 915=319-0125.
Birds of Rio Bosque Tour
John Sproul will lead a tour focusing on the birds which inhabit or visit this wetlands park. This is the peak time for bird diversity. Dress appropriately for a relaxed two mile hike and bring your binoculars and cameras with telephoto lenses.
Saturday, May 13. 7:00 AM. Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. Meet at the bridge crossing the Riverside Canal at the entrance to the Jonathon Rogers and Roberto Bustamante Water Treatment Plants. This event is hosted by UTEP’s Center for Environmental Resource Management. For more information contact John Sproul at 915-747-8663.
Adobe Preservation and Conservation
Pat Taylor, a national expert on adobe buildings, will share adobe construction techniques and discuss maintenance and preservation of adobe buildings. Following his presentation, there will be tour of the outside of the Magoffin Home (1875) focusing on the adobe structure.
Saturday, May 13. 1:00 PM. Magoffin Home Visitor Center at 1117 Magoffin Avenue. This event is hosted by the Casa Magoffin Companeros. For more information contact Pres Dehrkoop at 915-751-3631.
Walking and Driving Tour of Trost Fire Stations
Join Professor Max Grossman and Margaret Smith, grandniece of Henry C. Trost, for this tour of three fire stations designed by Henry C. Trost. Tour includes Fire Stations Number 3, 11 and 10.
Saturday, May 13. 1:00 PM. Meet at Fire Station Number 3 at 721 E. Rio Grande Avenue. Members $ 10 and Non Members $ 15. This event is hosted by the Texas TrostSociety. For more information contact Malissa Arras Grossman at 915-231-5838.
Construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad
Across the Southwest by Chinese Workers 1880-83
Anna Fahy, an educator and renowned authority on Chinese Culture in the Southwest, will discuss the role Chinese workers had in the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad across California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Saturday, May 13. 2:00 PM. The lecture will be given in the auditorium at the Downtown El Paso Public Library, 501 N. Oregon. This event is hosted by the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society, the El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum and the El Paso Public Library. For more information contact Prince McKenzie at 915-240-8384.
Keystone Thru the Ages
Learn about the impacts and importance of the area surrounding Keystone Heritage Park. Members of the Keystone Board will discuss the desert environment and how to grow drought tolerant plants.
Sunday, May 14. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Keystone Heritage Park at 4200 Doniphan (79922). This event is hosted by Keystone Heritage Park. For more information, contact Bernie Sargent at 915-581-7920.
San Elizario Historic District Walking Tour
This easy (1 ½ mile) walking tour covers 419 years of history. San Elizario was the site of the first county seat in El Paso County.
Sunday, May 14. 1:00 PM. Meet at Los Portales Museum and Visitors Center on the Plaza in San Elizario. This event is hosted by the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society. For more information contact Al Borrego at 915-851-0093.
History Captured Through Art
Alberto Escamilla will describe how history has been captured through the visual arts by cave drawings up to the present times through various art forms. He will show some of his artwork which captures the Mexican Revolution, Zarazuelas, agriculture and earlier times.
Sunday, May 14. 2:00 PM. Escamilla’s Fine Art Gallery at 1445 Main St. Suites B1-2, San Elizario, TX 79849. The event is hosted by Placita Madrid. For more information contact Rachel Escamilla at 915-474-1800.
Week 3: May 15-21
Downtown Bike Ride Featuring Preservation and Sustainable Living
Join Bill Helm from InSitu Architecture and Malissa Arras Grossman from the Texas Trost Society on this bike ride through downtown El Paso. Malissa will give a short overview of downtown before the tour. Riders will visit the Bassett Tower, the Mulligan Building and Art Space.
Thursday, May 18. 5:30 PM. Meet at the Deadbeach Brewery at 506 S. Durango St. This event is hosted by the Texas Trost Society, VeloPaso and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). For more information contact Malissa Arras Grossman at 915-231-5838.
Bosque in Bloom
Join the Friends of the Rio Bosque to experience nature’s beautiful display of wildflowers coming into bloom at Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. There will be guided and self-guided walks, bird watching, wildlife discovery and interactive fun for kids of all ages. Bring a water bottle and snacks (food vendors will not be on site).
Saturday, May 20. 9:00 AM – Noon. Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. Park at the corner of Pan American Drive and Winn Road. Shuttles will take visitors to the park site. This event is hosted by the friends of the Rio Bosque and El Paso Water. For more information contact John Sproul at 915-747-8663.
Downtown Walking Tour of Railroad Sites
Join Prince McKenzie for a walking tour in downtown El Paso that will include the Locomotive # 1 Exhibit, the first Southern Pacific Railroad Station site and the El Paso and Southwestern Station/ Freight House (1903).
Saturday, May 20. 9:00 – 11:30 AM. Adults $ 10 with Children Free. Meet at the Union Depot Visitor Information Center at 400 W. San Antonio. This event is hosted by the El Paso Railroad and Transportation Museum. Additional tours can be arranged by appointment. For more information contact Prince McKenzie at 915-240-8384.
John Wesley Bartlett’s Literary Borderlands:
Ethnology. The U.S. – Mexico War and the United States Boundary Survey
Dr. Robert L. Gunn, English Professor at UTEP, will give this lecture based on his 2015 book as part of the series “America and the Long 19th Century”. Please note that seating is limited to 75 people.
Saturday, May 20. 2:00 PM. El Paso Museum of Archeology, 4301 Woodrow Bean (79924). This event is hosted by the El Paso Archaeological Society and the El Paso Museum of Archeology. For more information contact the museum staff at 915-755-4332.
Toast to Trost
Join Professor Max Grossman, Architectural Historian, who leads this tour in the guise of Henry C. Trost. Past meets present as we tour local bars thriving in the Downtown Historic District. Learn about El Paso’s early architecture and our city’s rich heritage.
Saturday, May 20. 5:00 PM. Meet at the International Bar at 114 E. Mills. Participants must be 21 and over. Tickets are $ 40 for Members and $ 50 for Non Members (payable at www.texastrost.org.). Event includes three hour tour, four signature drinks, appetizers and a surprise gift. Dress in early 20th Century costumes if you like. Limited spots, please RSVP with Malissa Arras Grossman at malissa@texastrost.org.
Introductory Tour of Rio Bosque Wetlands
John Sproul will lead an introductory tour of this wetlands environment. On a relaxed two mile hike, visitors will explore the park’s ecosystem, discuss the historic river valley’s environment and see how the landscape continues to change.
Sunday, May 21. 8:00 AM. Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. Meet at the bridge crossing at the Riverside Canal at the entrance to the Jonathon Rogers and Ernesto Bustamante Water Treatment Plants. This event is hosted by UTEP’s Center for Environmental Resource Management. For more information contact John Sproul at 915-747-8663.
San Elizario Historic District Walking Tour
This easy (1 ½ mile) walking tour covers 419 years of history. San Elizario was the site of the first county seat in El Paso County.
Sunday, May 21. 1:00 PM. Meet at Los Portales Museum and Visitors Center on the Plaza in San Elizario. This event is hosted by the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society. For more information contact Al Borrego at 915-851-0093.
Week 4: May 22-28
Water, Irrigation and Farm to School
This program will begin with a reception followed by a two part program. The first program will feature Nestor Valencia discussing water issues and Edd Fifer talking about irrigation in the Valley. The second program will feature Norma K. Irwin telling stories about Porcher Farm including the three story stucco farm house built in 1912 followed by Lili Limon discussing the conversion of the farm to Ysleta ISD’s Cesar Chavez Academy. The farm house now serves as the campus administration building.
Thursday, May 25. 6:00 P.M. Cesar Chavez Academy at 7814 Alameda ( 79915). This event is hosted by Cesar Chavez Academy, Ysleta ISD, District 19 Retired Teachers and the Ysleta Historic District Committee (YHDC). For more information contact Ron Leiman at 915-740-6829.
Socorro Historical Sites Driving Tour
Fred Morales will lead this driving tour of historic Socorro, Texas. Sites will include the Socorro Mission, Rio Vista Poor Farm, Casa Ortiz and La Cueva Theater.
Saturday, May 27. 10 AM. Meet at the Socorro Mission, 328 Nevarez Road at Socorro Road. This event is hosted by the El Paso Mission Trail Association. For more information contact Sylvia Barron at 915-851-9997.
San Elizario Historic District Walking Tour
This easy (1 ½ mile) walking tour covers 419 years of history. San Elizario was the site of the first county seat in El Paso County.
Sunday, May 28. 1:00 PM. Meet at Los Portales Museum and Visitors Center on the Plaza in San Elizario. This event is hosted by the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society. For more information contact Al Borrego at 915-851-0093.Week 5: May 29-31
Honoring Forgotten Veterans of Historic Concordia Cemetery
This program will honor Veterans of all United States Wars: Mexican War, War Between the States, Frontier Indian War, Spanish American War, Punitive Expedition of 1916, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam Conflict. Speakers include Roy Benavidez and Robert Patterson of the All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division and members of the Concordia Heritage Association.
Memorial Day: Monday, May 29. 10 A.M. At the Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Monument Site at Stevens and Yandell Streets. This event is hosted by the Concordia Heritage Association. For more information contact Patricia Kiddney at 915-591-2326.
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