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Commemoration of 150th Civil War in Mesilla

Las Cruces – October 5, 2012 – On this edition of PUENTES, Emily Guerra bridges the community with curator and co-owner of the Gadsden Museum in Mesilla, Tancy Alexander Bird. She is a 7th generation Mesillera and descendent of one of La Mesilla’s settlers, Colonel Albert Jennings Fountain.

150 years ago the “War Between the States” reached into Southern New Mexico territory. In honor of Mesilla’s contribution to the Civil War, Bird started Mesilla’s 150th Civil War Commemoration Committee, became the Chairperson of the Committee, and set the date of the celebrations for October 19th to 21st.

The events will take place on the farm fields that surround the Gadsden Museum at 1875 Boutz Road in Mesilla and on the Mesilla Plaza. The program will include educational/school visits; storytelling; a military ball on the Mesilla Plaza; living history tents in encampments for both Union and Confederate re-enactors; a candle light procession and a Civil War-era music concert. She said the focus of the event is to educate everyone about our local history.

Bird asked the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) to become partners and help keep track of the contributions and donations they receive. The Committee will receive all gifts and donations through CFSNM, thus assuring that all donors and sponsors can count their donations as tax-deductible gifts. To donate, mail your contributions to CFSNM, 301 S. Church St., Suite H., Las Cruces, NM 88001. For more information visit: www.gadsdenmuseummesilla.com or call 526-6293.