NM’s History in our own backyard

As I grow older, I seem to find more and more pleasure studying history. Our Tularosa Basin Museum of History is a great place to remember events of our past-a few of those events even happened before I was born--not too many, but some.

What brings this to mind is the fact that the Historical Society of New Mexico is hosting their 2018 Historical Convention in Alamogordo on April 19, 20 and 21. My wife, Barbara, and I have attended several of the Society’s conventions in the last few years and have heard some great presentations on historical topics about which I had no prior knowledge.

These conventions have convinced me that New Mexico does not have to take a back-seat to any state in the union when it comes to having an interesting history. We have a long pre-history and a fascinating history involving a mix of peoples and a great many off-beat characters.

Further the Tularosa Basin does not have to take a back-seat to any other part of the state in the history arena.

The Tularosa Basin Historical Society, in conjunction with New Mexico State University-Alamogordo, should be thanked for hosting this year’s Historical Convention. The convention program book is one of the most extensive I have seen. It shows a calendar of events that will keep the attendees plenty busy with the presentations about this area and tours to our many points of historical interest. Many may be surprised to find that there is a great deal of history south of 66 in this Land of Enchantment.

Another feature of the convention is the presence of several book-dealers who specialize in Southwest books and who have some hard-to-find items for those who have a particular area of interest in the general region.

The Tularosa Basin Historical Society will have its publications available for purchase, several local writers of history including Gwen and Randy Burroughs, Donna Doyle Milburn, Mike Shinabery, Pete Eidenbach, Clif and Barbara McDonald, and Dave Townsend will be on-hand to sign books. And, Ed Wooten from Cloudcroft’s Imaginary Books and Collectibles will be in evidence throughout the convention.

If you see someone with a far-away look in his eye wandering our streets during the period of the convention, April 19, 20 and 21, be kind to them. Chances are it is a historyphile who is lost but harmless. Stop them and discuss our glorious history with the wondering wide-eyed person.

This should be a fun time for Alamogordo.

Cliff McDonald, from Weed, New Mexico, is a history buff who saw most of the area’s history first hand.