Celebrate the History of El Barrio de Analco

Join the Oldest House Indian Shop in celebrating the Barrio de Analco Fall Festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 28.

“This event is long hoped for and much anticipated,” says Rick Smith, owner of the Oldest House Indian Shop. “For the first time we are truly celebrating the history and contributions of the Barrio de Analco to the city of Santa Fe.”

The festival will take place in and around the Oldest House and San Miguel Chapel, the Oldest Church, in the Barrio de Analco. Admission is free to all outdoor activities thanks to community sponsors. Displays and activities inside San Miguel Chapel require a $2 all-day pass for those over age 12. Free parking is available at the PERA Building and other state government parking lots. The cultural event precedes the Sept. 29 Feast Day of Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Rafael.

The National Historic Landmark Barrio De Analco Historic District is one of the oldest residential neighborhoods of European origin in the United States. By 1620, the newly constructed Chapel of San Miguel, built across the river from the Santa Fe Plaza for laborers, artisans and the Tlaxcalan Indian servants to worship, was in place and a suburb, the Barrio de Analco (meaning the district on the other side of the river in the Tlaxcalan Indian language), began to grow. The district suffered major destruction during the 1680 Great Pueblo Revolt. When the Spanish returned, they rebuilt the area beginning in 1692.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND DISPLAYS

Mule-packing demonstrations

From the early 1600s to the late 1800s, travelers and traders relied on mules to transport their goods. Ron and Pat Rundstrom of Aparejo in Española will provide these educational presentations and children’s activities behind The Oldest House.

Danza Azteca de Anáhuac of Taos, registered in Mexico with San Miguel del Archangel Capulli

From the early 1600s, Nahua-speaking indios amigos from what is now central Mexico settled El Barrio de Analco, to be followed a century later by genízaros (captives from semi-nomadic North American tribes, raised to adulthood in Spanish-speaking households). Dances will take placemid-afternoon in front of San Miguel Chapel and inside the Chapel at the conclusion of the Festival.

Trail-related Table Displays

Outgoing and incoming caravans passed through Barrio de Analco along the Camino de Pecos directly in front of San Miguel Chapel and may have used the extensive grounds for packing and unpacking. Tables by the National Park Service, Old Santa Fe Trail Association, and Old Spanish Trail Association, with a Route 66 display by collector and map-maker Willie Lambert. Under portal on the Chapel’s south side, and in pocket-park behind adjacent Lamy Building, the first academic building constructed for St. Michael’s College for Boys.

Table Displays by Partners in Historic Preservation

Historic Santa Fe Foundation, Old Santa Fe Association, Cornerstones Community Partnerships, and Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project (MPPP) of Velarde will participate. Under portal on the Chapel’s south side, and in pocket-park behind the adjacent Lamy Building.

Walking Tour of El Barrio de Analco with historian Hilario Romero of Agua Fria

12:30-1 p.m., 1:30-2 p.m., 3-3:30 p.m. Limited to 12 people per tour. Front courtyard of Chapel—meet at top of the stairway leading to Old Santa Fe Trail.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES & DISPLAYS

(all-day admission to Chapel $2; 12 and under no charge)

Display of Vintage Serapes

By Collector Chris Ferguson, owner of Tres Estrellas Gallery in Taos. Tlaxcaltecans, credited with originating the famous Saltillo weaving tradition in northern New Spain, may have been among the original Meso-American settlers and builders of El Barrio de Analco.

One-day-only Art Exhibition

Artists’ Views of San Miguel Chapel and Environs Across the Decades

Docent Chats

10-15 minutes, upon request. Check Docent’s name tag for themes:

“400 Years of Building History” or “Significance of 1798 Altarpiece” or “Mystery of the San José Bell”

Previews of Videos-in-Progress

Preview of Reorganized and New Exhibitions

Period Costumes worn by members of SOCIEDAD FOCLÓRICA

3:30pm: CLOSING CEREMONY with SPECIAL GUESTS and DANZA AZTECA DE ANAHUAC

BARRIO DE ANALCO FALL FESTIVAL