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2009 Tularosa Basin Conference

The Tularosa Basin Conference is designed to bring together scholars, researchers, Native Americans, agency representatives, and the interested public to advance our understanding of the history, prehistory, and natural sciences within and adjacent to the Tularosa Basin.  The 2009 conference will be held in the historic village of Tularosa, nestled among cottonwoods that line the original acequias, which embrace the historic 49 blocks, a National Register multiple property listing.

The 2009 Tularosa Basin Conference coincides with Historic Preservation Month in New Mexico and the St. Francis de Paula Festival, which celebrates the founding of the iconic landmark church that commemorates the Battle of Round Mountain.  In 1868, U.S. military troops escorting supply wagons from Fort Stanton engaged Apaches near the conical peak along the Rio Tularosa.  The military was reinforced by a volunteer militia of Tularosa citizens, and, after several hours, the conflict ended and both sides withdrew from the battle site.

The Tularosa Basin possesses a deeply rich culture history that extends from the early Paleoindian period, nearly 12,000 years ago, to include the Archaic period and Jornada Mogollon occupation of scattered camps, rock art, pit house settlements, and pueblo villages.  The historic period is often represented by colorful, yet tragic events, including settlement of the basin, founding of villages and towns, conflict of ethnic groups, dispute resolution (old-West style), development and resource exploitation, and military impacts and expansion.  Much of the Basin’s history is linked to its unique and complex natural resources that include the white gypsum deposits that form White Sands National Monument, the geology of the Sacramento and San Andres mountains, and the Valley of Fires volcanic flow.  The Basin’s diverse vegetation ranges from Desert Chihuahaun to Sub-Alpine, transcending eight zones.

The Tularosa Basin Conference has been organized to disseminate information from recent archaeological and historic studies, engage and involve the public in our heritage resources, advance research, support and celebrate historic preservation, and document cultural change and continuity.  Join us, as experts gather from various fields, and ethnographic discussions are presented from local residents who have lived the history of the Tularosa Basin.  The Tularosa Basin Conference promises to be a fulfilling and rewarding experience to all who join us and wish to learn about our heritage and natural resources.

Learn it, live it; get engaged in your heritage resources

Orgonizing Sponsors:

Tularosa Basin Historic Society
Redbrick Building Restoration Foundation

Support Sponsors:

Geo Marine, Inc., El Paso, Texas
Statistical Research, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., and El Paso, Texas
Southern New Mexico Archeological Services, Inc., Tularosa, N.M.