Volunteering is Fun!

Dee Nelson

This month’s “Volunteering is Fun” article comes from Dee Nelson. “I’m originally from New Jersey and retired to New Mexico about 23 years ago, having worked as a computer trainer for a large corporation. A good friend from New Jersey, and a Las Golondrinas volunteer, Marie Aminski, and I opened a Bed & Breakfast in…

Read More

Light It Up!

Chispa or fire starter

Maybe one of the most important tools on the New Mexican frontier was the strike-a-light, known as an eslabón (link) in Mexico and chispa (spark) in New Mexico.  Dating from the time of the Romans, chispas are a highly effective fire starter when paired with a small piece of hard stone such as flint, chert,…

Read More

Join Us for a Chuckwagon Dinner

Chuckwagon Dinner

Harmon Parkhurst. Campers with chuck wagon, New Mexico, 1925–1945?.  Courtesy of the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA), Negative Number 069707. Friday, August 18th 6:00 pm After a long day on the trail, come to El Rancho de las Golondrinas, gather round the fire and eat your fill of “chuck” from an authentic 1890…

Read More

Local Historian Awarded Medal by Spain

Thomas E. Chávez

Thomas E. Chávez, a former director of the New Mexico State History Museum in Santa Fe and the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, and current Board Member of El Rancho de las Golondrinas has been inducted into the Spanish Order of Isabel the Catholic (Orden de Isabel la Católica) second class (Commander/ Encomienda) with…

Read More

It’s Spanish Colonial Days!

Swallow

Dear Amigo! It’s May! And just as the swallows return to El Rancho de las Golondrinas so do all the students from around the state who are anticipating their visit for Spanish Colonial Days.  This year’s activities will be held on May 4th, 9th, and 11th!  If you haven’t already signed up for one or…

Read More