The Camino Real exhibition takes the visitor on a virtual journey from Zacatecas, Mexico, to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Upcoming Events at El Camino Real International Heritage Center

9/11/10, Saturday
11:00am — 4:00pm
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Special Event

El Camino Real International Heritage Center will host its 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration on Saturday, September 11th, 10 am – 4 pm.  On-going activities during the day will highlight a series of lectures.  There will be a slide-show presentation on El Camino Real by Mr. Paul Harden, president of El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation, and a lecture on carettas/wagons courtesy of Mr. Gary Williams with the Friends of Coronado State Monument.  Mr. Harold Trujillo of the New Mexico Acequia Association will speak on the role of acequias, ditches, in local communities.  Dr. Margaret Espinosa McDonald will make a presentation on matanzas, the traditional Hispanic custom of butchering and cooking a pig.  The event will conclude with a special musical presentation by Ceiba. The event will begin at 10 am with a slide-show lecture by Paul Harden who will answer the question most commonly asked by visitors: Where’s the trail?  The disappearing trail cannot directly be seen from the Center.  However, there are remnants of the trail still visible from Doña Ana to Santa Fe.  This includes areas just east of the Center along the Jornada del Muerto, across the river from Socorro, and the west branch of El Camino Real through Fort Craig.  Mr. Harden explores these sections of the trail with historic and modern day photos and maps of the trail, major landmarks along El Camino Real, wagons in use, and other information on travel along the historic trail over the centuries.  A resident of Socorro, Mr. Harden currently serves as the president of the El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation.  At 11 am there will a presentation by Mr. Gary Williams on the construction and use of a carreta, the two-wheeled wagon that was used for centuries in New Mexico.  Currently a resident of Corrales, Mr. Williams is notably known for his blacksmith demonstrations at various cultural venues in the state.  Mr. Williams served as President of the Sandoval County Historical Society from 2007 to 2009 and is currently the vice president and program chair for the Friends of Coronado State Monument.  As a contribution to State Monuments, Mr. Williams built carretas which are on display at the Center and at Coronado State Monument in Bernalillo. Mr. Harold Trujillo with the New Mexico Acequia Association will make a presentation at 1 pm.  Currently the vice-chairman of the association, Mr. Trujillo has over 40 years of experience with acequia (ditch) activities and operations.  He contributes to the maintenance, operation and governance of the association including water allocation, sharing of shortages, dealing with illegal taking of water, diminishing water supplies, and irrigation reservoir management.  Acequias have been a long practiced communal activity and played an important role in the settlement of New Mexico. The association has increased awareness of the issues that effect community acequias.  Mr. Trujillo has helped pass legislation regarding control over water rights transfers out of acequias, water banking in acequias, and condemnation of acequia water rights by cities.  He also developed a memorial and assisted in developing legislation that improved the regulation of stock ponds.  An alumnus of New Mexico State University with a BS in mechanical engineering, Mr. Trujillo resides in Santa Fe.  The final lecture will begin at 2 pm.  Sponsored by the Historical Society of New Mexico’s Speaker Bureau Program, the presentation will be made by Dr. Margaret Espinosa McDonald.  The lecture will focus on matanzas, the traditional Hispanic custom of butchering and cooking of a pig.  Dr. McDonald was an educator with the Belen Public Schools for twenty-eight years.  She has written numerous chapters and articles and was co-author of Through the Photographer’s Lens: A Photographic history of Valencia County.  She is past chair of the New Mexico Humanities Council and a past president of the Historical Society of New Mexico.  The lecture series will conclude with a special musical presentation by the group Ceiba from El Paso, Texas at 3 pm.  Ceiba plays indigenous wind and percussion instruments from Mexico and other South American countries.  They include European, African, and Spanish colonial instruments as well as contemporary instruments like synthesizer and electric guitar to create a beautiful musical presentation.  Musicians wear clothing typical to the Spanish Colonial era and their presentation includes description of instruments played and introductions on the history of songs performed.   Educational programs and activities are made possible by El Camino Real IHC Foundation and the Museums of New Mexico Foundation. El Camino Real International Heritage Center is a New Mexico State Monument operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs.  WHEN:  Saturday, September 11th, 2010               10 AM - 4 PM WHERE:  El Camino Real International Heritage Center, 300 East County Road 1598,                   San Antonio, NM 87832.  Located on I-25 between Socorro and T or C, Exit 115. COST:  Event free with paid Monument admission.  Free admission for ages 16 & under.  Free admission for MNM and ECRIHC Foundation members.  Single adult visit, $5.  

El Camino Real International Heritage Center

10/6/10, Wednesday
5:00pm — 10:00pm
17th Annual Enchanted Skies Part – Chuck Wagon Dinner
After-hours Star Gazing Fun!

A unique astronomical experience in the Great Southwest! Join us for nighttime observing, door prizes, friendly competitions and tours of area astronomical and scientific facilities. Chuck wagon dinner and campfire lecture at El Camino Real International Heritage Center on Saturday, October 9th. Registration is required. For info: Socorro Tourism Dept, 575-835-8927.

El Camino Real International Heritage Center

11/20/10, Saturday
11:00am — 4:00pm
Celebracion de Otono
5th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrate the Center’s 5th anniversary with living history demonstrations of period-life on El Camino Real, special performances, and more.  Will also feature a visit from the Van of Enchantment, Rails & Trails. El Camino Real International Heritage Center is a New Mexico State Monument under the Department of Cultural Affairs.

El Camino Real International Heritage Center

12/11/10, Saturday
11:00am — 3:00pm
Holiday Celebration
Special Event

Celebrate the winter holidays with annual Pastorela performance, visit from Santa Claus, and ornament making. El Camino Real International Heritage Center is a New Mexico State Monument under the Department of Cultural Affairs.

El Camino Real International Heritage Center

2/19/11, Saturday
11:00am — 4:00pm
Historic Forts’ Day
Activities for all ages

Discover forts along the ancient Camino Real.  Event will include living history re-enactments of soldier camp activities including bullet-making, black powder demonstration, treadle sewing, open fire cooking and more. 

El Camino Real International Heritage Center