Museum of New Mexico Media Center Press Release

12th Annual PUEBLO INDEPENDENCE DAY: Commemorating the 1680 Pueblo Revolt

Jemez Historic Site

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 01, 2015

MEDIA CONTACT

Sunday, August 9, 2015 | 7am- 4pm | Free

(Jemez Springs, NM—June 10, 2015)—On Sunday, August 9, the quaint and sleepy village of Jemez Springs—popularly known for its hot springs, hiking, and art galleries, comes alive with the 12th annual Pueblo Independence Day Celebration starting with a 7am pilgrimage run from Jemez Pueblo Plaza to Jemez Historic Site. Visitors to this free annual free event will also enjoy traditional Native dances, dine on authentic Native food, and shop Native arts and crafts.

Three hundred and thirty-five years ago on August 10 and 11, 1680, the Pueblo People of New Mexico, aided by some Apache and Navajo allies, launched a successful rebellion against Spanish colonization.

This 12th annual Pueblo Independence Day Celebration commemorates this historic event which shaped the course of New Mexico state history. Jemez Historic Site ranger Marlon Magdalena said, “Celebrating the day pays tribute to the Ancestors and shows appreciation for their sacrifices. Their brave resistance helped preserve the Pueblo way of life: our culture, our languages and our right to one day reclaim our aboriginal lands.”

Schedule of events

Free Admission for all New Mexico residents with ID.

7am—Run begins at the Jemez Pueblo plaza. The general public is welcome to participate. Water stations will be available

10am—Invocation and Welcome by Site manager Matt Barbour and Jemez Pueblo Officials

1030am-4pm—Enjoy traditional Native dances, dine on authentic Native food, and shop Native arts and crafts

For more information the public may call Jemez Historic Site at 575-829-3530 or check the web site http://www.nmmonuments.org/jemez

About Jemez Historic Site

A short drive from Albuquerque, Bernalillo, and Santa Fe, Jemez Historic Site is one of the most beautiful prehistoric and historic sites in the Southwest. It includes the stone vestiges of a 500 year old Indian village and the San José de los Jemez church dating to 1621/2. The village of Giusewa was built in the narrow San Diego Canyon by the ancestors of the present-day people of Jemez (Walatowa) Pueblo. The name Giusewa refers to the natural springs in the area.

In the 17th century, the Spanish established a Catholic mission at the village. The mission was short-lived, and, in time, the people abandoned the site and moved to the current location of Jemez Pueblo. The massive stone walls were constructed about the same time the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The heritage center contains exhibitions that tell the story of the site through the words of the Jemez people. A 1,400-foot interpretive trail winds through the impressive site.

Driving Directions from Albuquerque

From I-25, exit 242 take 550 west to San Ysidro, then right onto Route 4 for 18 miles.

Media Contact

Steve Cantrell, PR Manager, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

505-476-1144

steve.cantrell@state.nm.us

 

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Jemez Historic Site is one of seven state historic sites; among them in addition to Jemez, they are Lincoln, Fort Stanton, Fort Selden, Coronado, and El Camino Real, all comprising the New Mexico State Historic Sites, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information on the Historic Sites check the web site http://www.nmmonuments.org/.

 

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