The Friends Upcoming
Activities & Events
The Friends activities and events can be for members only or for public enjoyment. Members-only events include field day trips to special NM locations and a themed 3 to 5-day excursion to one or more NM historic locations each year. Events offered to the general public include our monthly lectures at the Bernalillo Library and the annual Fiesta of Cultures.
Volunteer Opportunity at Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival
The 9th Annual Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival is
Saturday, June 13 from 10am to 6pm.
Nearly 100 juried Native American artists will offer their work to attendees at this FREE event at Rotary Park in Bernalillo.
Food vendors and entertainment make this a fun event for collectors and families. It is truly a celebration of native culture and art of the Southwest.
Volunteers are needed on June 13 to welcome guests, track zip codes, offer event maps, and answer questions. Or you may want to sell lottery tickets. The 3-hour shifts are listed below, and shade will be provided.
The Friends will have an information booth and we also need a couple of volunteers to help.
Upcoming Field Trips
June 17
Santa Fe’s La Fonda Hotel Art & History Tour
Join the La Fonda docents on Wednesday, June 17 for a complementary private tour of Santa Fe’s iconic La Fonda on the Plaza. The docents will describe the building’s rich history and its world-class art collection.
This trip and tour were taken by the Friends of Coronado Historic Site in 2015, and it was a huge success. Join us 11 years later for another fun experience!
Some background: Santa Fe was founded by the Spanish in 1607. The inn or “la fonda” was among the first businesses established on the plaza. The current La Fonda was built in 1922. Famed Santa Fe Architect John Gaw Meem and Southwestern designer Mary Colter collaborated in the hotel’s distinctive appearance. The hotel was purchased in 1925 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad and operated as one of the famed Harvey House hotels for over 40 years. Notable are the Pueblo-style architecture, wood beams, latilla ceilings, carved corbels, hand-crafted chandeliers, tin and copper lighting fixtures, and color tiles, along with hand-carved furniture. It will be quite the tour!
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Trip Plan and Tour: This trip starts with travel by Rail Runner or by private car, arriving in Santa Fe by mid-morning. Enjoy some free time and have lunch. Assemble at 1:45, in the La Fonda Hotel lobby for the docent tour (2:00p-3:15). After the tour return by the Plaza Shuttle to the Rail Runner station and board the Rail Runner to return to Sandoval Co./US 550 station. Private cars return to their starting point at your convenience.
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Transportation: The Rail Runner Train- Meet at Sandoval County US 550 Station at 9:45 to sign the waiver. Train #510 departs at 10:08am arrives Santa Fe at 11:16am. On Wednesdays, those 60+ ride the Rail Runner Free with proof of age. If under 60, google rates on the Rail Runner, Weekdays. The Santa Fe Historic & Canyon Road Shuttle operates every 30 min. to the Plaza and returns to the Rail Runner Depot. Click here to review Rail Runner Schedule.
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Private car: Directions to the La Fonda and parking will be forthcoming.
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Trip Limitations: The trip is for 20 current FCJHS members only.
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Lunch: La Fonda has three options for dining, or eat at your favorite restaurant.
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Cost: Tour is free, so your cost is determined by transportation and lunch plans.
To Sign Up: Contact Gretchen Obenauf, coordinator for this trip.
Email: gretchen.obenauf@gmail.com
More information and details will be provided after signing up.
This trip is now full. If you'd like to be put on a waitlist, please register and you'll be contacted by the trip leader if another participant drops out.
July 18
Los Pinos at Pecos Canyon
Morning Bird Watch followed by Lunch
More Details Coming Soon!
Field Trip to Bosque del Apache
MEMBERS ONLY - 20 allowed
TO BE RESCHEDULED FOR FALL 2026
More information will be coming soon!
This field trip was originally intended as a follow-up with Coronado Ranger Joseph Tackes lecture program about Sandhill Cranes presented on October 26, 2025 at the Bernalillo Library. However, the trip was cancelled at the last minute due to a site shut down at the time. Currently, this trip is planned to be rescheduled for this coming fall 2026.
The cranes arrive at the end of October and the snow geese around the first of November so we should be able to see these special birds. Among the sites to see are the Visitor Center (with interesting videos) and the Desert Arboretum. Scenic drives include the North Loop and South Loop where the birds can be observed. The ideal time to see them is at dawn and dusk, but this is a day trip that has more civilized hours. In addition, there may be Javelinas, mule deer, and wild turkeys roaming the grounds.
ARCHIVED FRIENDS EVENTS
Over the years, The Friends have offered lectures on a variety of subjects. These lectures benefit from our access to local resources, such as Mary Weahkee who showed us how to make turkey feather blankets, and also from a variety of experts in Pueblo History, Archeology, and Architecture.
Selected recorded lectures are posted on our YouTube channel: CLICK HERE
Click on the links below to view Friends Archived Articles & Videos:
