Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 7:00 PM via Zoom: GCAS general meeting features Christopher Adams, our good friend and the East Zone Archaeologist for the Black Range District of the Gila National Forest, who will present "The 1885 Apache Fight on Trujillo Creek, Southern New Mexico." Chris will discuss the archaeological work he has conducted on an 1885 Apache fight located on the Gila National Forest along Trujillo Creek, approximately seven miles southeast of Kingston, NM. If you have attended any of Chris's previous presentations, you know to expect an engaging historical tale that Chris brings alive with illustrations and photos of his own research and field investigations.

Rehab work continues in IFWEF's two upstairs rooms; the walls have been painted and the floors refinished, with final touches underway. Downstairs, the GCAS library's built-in bookshelves are in place and awaiting their final finish coats. (See volunteer Steve Collie at work in the first two photos over there on the left.)

Meanwhile, our GCAS volunteers spent an exciting morning assembling the furniture for the MAREC lab in the adjacent room. Our lab's two-station work bench sports a tabletop ledge shelf and an electrical power strip for small power tools. Two rolling trolleys stowed underneath this work station offer additional storage opportunities for all participants. A freestanding locking cabinet will keep researchers' work product secure. Our refinished hutch provides an extra work surface as well as space for educational materials.

(Scroll down for more photos!)

We are thrilled to announce that the following friends have contributed a combined total of $8,022.12 in support of our MAREC rehabilitation project. Thanks to them the GCAS's two rooms in the historic Wood House have fresh coats of paint in cheerful colors, bright lights and ceiling fans, a utility sink/workbench assembly that can't be beat, and much more. Thank you, one and all, for making the MAREC dream come true:

We are excited to announce that our GCAS supporters have now contributed a total of over $7000 toward our project goal of $10,000. Such generosity has allowed us to continue through the typical fits and starts every rehabilitation project faces, and for that we thank all of our donors. We and IFWEF continue to coordinate the work of our two groups' volunteers with IFWEF's two professional contractors, while each group navigates the challenges of timing the purchase of construction materials subject to - shall we say - today's opportunity pricing.

Our very own GCAS President, Kyle Meredith, tells us a tale of a trip to Peru from years past. He said he was prompted to write after having seen a blog post on our website with a link to an article that discussed Peru's papa nativas (native potatoes) and the archaeological site of Moray, Peru. Welcome back, Kyle!

A blast from the past! I have a propensity for falling in love with every place we go, but Peru more than others. So much of it looked so familiar. I had to look up Moray on the map because I could have sworn we had seen it, but actually it looked very similar to Pisaq in many ways, also in the Sacred Valley. In fact, the reason it looked so much like Pisaq is because one of their photos WAS Pisaq from almost the exact same spot that I took the photo.

On June 3, 2020, the GCAS Board of Trustees submitted a formal comment in opposition to the US Bureau of Reclamation's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which proposes a diversion of the Gila River in the general area of Virden, New Mexico. All of the Bureau of Reclamation's proposed alternatives for river diversion and construction appear certain to damage or destroy a large number of historic and archaeological sites throughout the proposed project area which spans both New Mexico and Arizona.

Our May 2020 GCAS newsletter included a report submitted by one of our friends in the archaeological community, Dave Greenwald, President of the Jornada Research Institute in Tularosa, New Mexico. For those who may have missed it, we re-post it here as a PDF:

Download Tularosa Canyon update 4-2020.

Pursuant to Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham's most recent public health advisory, the limited reopening of the Mimbres Culture Heritage Site on June 5, 2020, HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Check for further updates and to confirm tours and museum access by telephoning the MCHS directly at 575.536.3092 or 307.640.3012. 

When permitted, the MCHS still plans to reopen their Museum beginning three days per week: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Certain exhibits have been refurbished, so as soon as conditions allow everyone is invited to visit and inspect the changes. However, please be mindful that masks and social distancing will be required at all times. The number of individuals allowed in the Museum at any one time will be limited. Outdoor tours of the Mattocks Ruin will be offered to limited numbers of visitors on the first and third Saturdays of each month, again in accordance with our Governor's advisory as it is updated.

UPDATE 3:19PM, March 13, 2020: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED AND MAY BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE. Check with the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum's website for more info as it comes available.

On Saturday, March 14, 2020, it's the 9th Annual Buffalo Roast Fundraiser at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces! Human Systems Research Inc. proudly presents the keynote speaker, Mark Santiago, discussing "Labyrinth of Blood: Apaches and the Spanish Empire." This is an Advance-Ticket-Only event with tickets going for $50/person. For time of presentation, tickets, and other information please telephone the NMFRHM at 575-524-9456. Meanwhile, enjoy the presentation summary:

The Tumacácori National Historical Park in Tumacácori AZ is located about 47 miles south of Tucson on I-19. On March 21, 2020, ONLY, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the Tumacácori National Historical Park provides its final special guided tour of the season to the ruins of the Calabazas and Guevavi Missions. The tour starts at Tumacácori National Historical Park, 1891 E. Frontage Rd., Tumacácori, Arizona for $25/person. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. To make reservations go to https://www.recreation.gov/ or https://www.nps.gov/tuma/index.htm or telephone the Tumacácori visitor center at 520-377-5060.

The fragile historic mission ruin sites of Guevavi and Calabazas are protected within the national park but normally closed to the public. Each guided tour begins at Tumacácori National Historical Park Visitor Center, then participants ride in a 15-passenger van to Guevavi and Calabazas. At each location participants walk on unshaded, moderately improved trails to reach the mission ruins, including one short section of steep, uphill trail at Calabazas. The tours are not wheelchair accessible and require walking on uneven terrain. Participants need to bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. After the tour returns to Tumacácori, participants are invited to visit the Tumacácori Mission church and grounds, visitor center, and museum on their own or go on the next guided tour of Tumacácori (starting at 2 p.m.) at no additional charge.

Last chance to take a trip to Southeastern Arizona before the weather heats up! Reserve now and we'll see you out there!

/s/ webmaster [Photo of Guevavi ruins via Tumacacori NHP]