Press Release

Fort Garland Museum to host 31st annual Memorial Day Encampment

FORT GARLAND, Colo. (May 15, 2019) – Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center will be hosting its 31st annual Memorial Day Encampment on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend with a variety of events and demonstrations presented by the Fort Garland Memorial Regiment, Company K 4th U.S. Cavalry and joined by Artillery Company of New Mexico, and Ford’s Independent Company, 2nd Colorado Volunteers, with the goal of recreating nineteenth-century life at the Fort.

The first day of events will be Saturday, May 25, starting at 9:30 am with a flag raising. Demonstrations will include the infantry company drilling on the field, the artillery company demonstrating their ordinance rifle and mountain howitzers, the cavalry conducting mounted drills, and more. The Ladies of the Garrison will gather in period dress in the Soldier’s Theatre and all attendees are invited to join them for a cup of tea and conversation at 1:30 pm.

Saturday night at 7:30 pm the garrison will celebrate a Regimental Ball, in which they will teach period dance. The ball will be open to the public, and attendees are invited to wear period-appropriate costume.

Sunday’s events will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at 9:30 am, which will be followed by a non-denominational church service in the Soldier’s Theatre. After the service the regiment will begin to break camp, and the events will end at 1 pm that afternoon.

The first Memorial Day Encampment was held at Fort Garland Museum in 1988 and it has been an annual feature of the museum ever since. Last year the museum celebrated the third decade of this tradition, and it is still going strong. Every year the Fort Garland Memorial Regiment and the Artillery Company of New Mexico participate in the encampment and work to turn the entirety of the fort into a walking, talking, breathing museum piece. Throughout the entirety of both days’ events all participants will be dressed in period-accurate attire. Though no battles will be reenacted, the goal of this event is, as always, to recreate nineteenth-century daily life at a frontier fort. This event is educational, interactive, and exciting, making it a perfect outing for attendees of all ages.

About Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center

Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center is a Community Museum of History Colorado, located in historic Costilla County. Fort Garland was established in 1858 as a United States Army post in the San Luis Valley. It consists of five adobe buildings original to the fort and is an integral part of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults and $4.50 for seniors. Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of Kids Free Summer at Fort Garland, meaning children ages 18 and under receive free admission. Visit the museum at 29477 Hwy. 159, Fort Garland, Colo. 81133, or call 719-379-3512 for more information.

About History Colorado
History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving the places, stories and material culture of Colorado through the History Colorado Center and statewide Community Museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections and outreach to Colorado communities. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.


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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Zach Werkowitch
Community Relations Manager
719-583-0453 | zach.werkowitch@state.co.us