‘TASTE OF 1800S LIFE’
Casa San Ysidro goes online with 19th century collections, programs
B olstered by an array of late 19th century collections, Casa San Ysidro will offer its free programs online beginning Saturday, Feb. 13.
In the early 1950s, Shirley and Ward Alan Minge turned the old Corrales building into a plazuela-style rancho to house their collection of New Mexico vernacular art.
Casa San Ysidro opened to the public for the season on Feb. 1, with COVIDsafe tours and online public programs.
The seasonal lineup includes talks about Abraham Lincoln’s influence on territorial New Mexico, the restoration of bultos and Native American language revitalization in New Mexico.
This marks the first year all programs will appear online due to the pandemic, site manager Aaron Gardner said.
“This is also the first year Casa San Ysidro has participated in the Camino Real Trade Fair,” Gardner said. “It gives a (virtual) taste of 1800s life in New Mexico.”
The fair will be virtual through April. The free event will include history, music, demonstrations, local artisans and educational sessions.
The programs all run from 1 to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month:
■ Feb. 13: “The Unique Legacy of Abraham Lincoln in New Mexico.” Lincoln spoke little about the New Mexico Territory, yet two wars were fought here during his presidency. Lincoln signed into law legislation that would eventually aid in the settlement and development of the state.
■ March 13: “Traditions of the Santero: Bulto Restoration Techniques.” Bultos are a living tradition within the religious iconography of Spanish folk art. Conservators Allison Herrera and Keith Bakker discuss bultos and bulto restoration techniques.
■ April 10: “Native American Language Revitalization in New Mexico.” Learn about the leading efforts in Indigenous language restoration from Christine Sims, the state director for the National Indian Bilingual Center and an associate professor at the University of New Mexico.
■ June 12: “Native Dye Plants of New Mexico.” Native American and Spanish weavers have traditionally used native plants to dye wool in an array of colors. Las Arañas weaver Myra Chang Thompson and Rio Grande Return Conservation director Cameron Weber describe native plant dyes and their uses.
■ July 10: “Bioregional Perspectives with Jack Loeffler.” With the everexpanding civic and suburban sprawl of the Southwest, understanding how ecosystems can sustain development in the face of unexpected change is needed. Loeffler is a bioregionalist, aural historian, environmentalist and author. His work has focused on the vital importance of Indigenous-minded environmentalism.
■ Aug. 14: “Herreros: The Spanish History of Blacksmiths.” Herreros, or Spanish blacksmiths, were highly valued members of Spanish expeditions to New Mexico. Dave Sabo, a local blacksmith skilled in traditional methods, describes some of the early iron manufacturing and blacksmithing practices in New Mexico.
■ Oct. 9: “From Spain to New Mexico: The Journey to Keep a Secret.” Who were the Crypto-Jews and Conversos? Norman Libman has researched Crypto-Jewish history for more than 25 years.
■ Nov. 13: “Civil War History in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.” The Rio Grande’s unique role in the Civil War has been largely forgotten or overlooked. Rio Grande Valley Texas University anthropology professor Russell Skowronek will discuss its history in the Southwest.
Casa SanYsidro can be reached at cabq.gov/casasanysidro, 898-3915.