Volunteering is Fun!

This month’s “Volunteering is Fun” article comes from Edward Wallace.

“I met Ric Thompson on the set of the movie, ‘Astronaut Farmer.’ I worked in the movie industry for about 5 years. Ric told me that he volunteered at El Rancho de las Golondrinas.  I had never heard of Las Golondrinas, and he explained that it was a living history museum outside of Santa Fe and he thought I would really enjoy volunteering there. He described the beauty of the Ranch and how great the volunteers were. When the next training started, he invited me.  I have been volunteering ever since.

I am not sure what year that was, 2005 or 2006.  Ric worked at the hide tanning area, so I started there.  I knew nothing about tanning hides, but quickly learned. I have worked at hide tanning since, except for a couple of times at other places, like the Baca house and the school house. I love working at the hide tanning area. The people I work with are great! Julie Jacobs, a dedicated hide tanner, even taught me how to start a fire using flint and steel, and I discovered a love of Southwestern and Western history. I have become a part of the New Mexico Humanities Council’s Chautauqua program as an historical re-enactor because of my volunteering.

I look forward to the start of each season and sometimes spend the weekend at the Ranch. I really love the Ranch on Sunday morning before the Museum opens. I love the peace and quiet and the beauty that’s all around. I hope to spend many more years at the Ranch!”