Jasmine Benavides, 8, learns how much work it takes to churn cream into butter during the Old Fort Bliss Lantern Tour Oct. 30. Photo by Heather Wilburn.
Lantern tour sheds new light on Old Fort Bliss
About 50 visitors converged on Old Fort Bliss to step back in time and experience life the way it was in the days before refrigerators, televisions, and even running water.
The first Old Fort Bliss Lantern Tour took place Oct. 30, giving guests a chance to see the replica of Fort Bliss, as it stood in 1857, with its walkways lit by lanterns. Historical interpreters taught those taking part in the tour about everyday life during the era, offering hands-on opportunities to churn butter, grind corn and create pottery.
Guests first learned about the history of Fort Bliss during an introduction given by Lauri-Anne Disinger, director of the Children’s Bicultural Living History Program at Old Fort Bliss. As the sun set, those present followed the Generation Trail to a log cabin typical of those built in the El Paso area during the 1850s.
With the tour of the log cabin complete, guests of Old Fort Bliss had the chance to tour the museum’s seven period rooms. In these rooms, visitors had the opportunity to learn about saddlemaking, pottery, blacksmithing, sewing and weaving, cooking, and the lives of Soldiers stationed at what was once called “the post opposite El Paso,” as they were in 1857.
Members of the 31st Combat Support Hospital Family Readiness Group, the Noncommissioned Officer Wives’ Club, and Girl Scout troops 277 and 274 stand ready to serve chili, snacks and beverages. Photo by Heather Wilburn.
The 31st Combat Support Hospital Family Readiness Group, the Noncommissioned Officer Wives’ Club and members of Girl Scout troops 274 and 277 manned the museum’s Sutler Store, selling chili, snacks and beverages.
“I’m having a good time,” said Robyn Faumuina, who brought her children Levi, 7, and Aliese, 2, to take part in the lantern tour. “I’ve learned things I didn’t know, and I wanted the kids to see how things were in the old days.
“This is the first time we’ve been to Old Fort Bliss,” she said. “We’ve tried coming out before, for other events, but we’ve never been able to make it.”
Emily Stuart, 9, said she enjoyed the tour, as well.
“This is my first time here,” she said. “It’s really cool. I learned a lot.”
Disinger said she was pleased with the tour’s turnout, but would have been happy even if just five visitors had shown.
Nancy Scarantino, left, teaches Aliese Faumuina, 2, and Levi Faumuina, 7, how people made pottery goods from clay in 1857. Photo by Heather Wilburn.
“I’m thrilled whenever we get the chance to introduce anyone to Old Fort Bliss and make that connection,” she said.
An upcoming program will give visitors another chance to get hands-on at Old Fort Bliss: an after-Thanksgiving craft class.
The class, another first this year, will teach children how to make corn-husk dolls. The class will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 23. For a $3 donation to the Children’s Bicultural Living History Program, a child can make one doll; for a $5 donation, he or she can make two. Reservations for the class are not required, but are appreciated, as supplies must be purchased. For more information about the class or to make reservations, contact Disinger at the Children’s Bicultural Living History Program office by calling 568-3137.
Old Fort Bliss is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visitors on the self-guided tour can press a bell in each period room to hear a graphic explanation of the 1857 lifestyle applicable to each room. For more information about events at Old Fort Bliss, call 568-3137.