Discover the eerie side of Fort Stanton on a special after-dark flashlight tour on July 26. Explore historic buildings usually off-limits to the public and hear chilling tales from the past. Ages 16+ only; limited to 25 participants. Walking and stairs involved. Tickets are $25 and non-refundable.

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Join Fort Stanton Historic Site for Living History Day on Saturday, July 12, from 10 AM – 2 PM. Enjoy a flag raising, guided cemetery tour with Ranger Javier, and a fire ecology talk by Smokey Bear Historical Park Manager Mary Lavin. Learn about local history and changing forest landscapes. Admission is $7 for adults; free for kids 16 and under and eligible groups.

Don't miss your chance to step back in time and experience the Old West as it comes alive at "Lincoln After Dark.” Witness history after hours, where the legends of Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War await to share their stories with those brave enough to listen. Enjoy an evening of adventure, history, and intrigue in the heart of New Mexico's most legendary town. Learn More »

Explore Fort Stanton Historic Site and Snowy River Cave NCA on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM – Noon. Enjoy a scenic 2.5 to 3-mile hike with stunning mountain views and rich historical insights. Easy level, limited to 8 people (no dogs). Free, with a $7 museum fee. Register by June 25 at www.riograndesierraclub.org/calendar.

Celebrate the night sky at “Guardians of the Night” on June 14, 2025, from 8–10 PM at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Enjoy telescope views, real-time astrophotography, and a special talk on dark sky preservation. Free and family-friendly. Held at the Observatory Complex; indoor backup at the Tombaugh Dome if needed.

Step into New Mexico’s rich past at Fort Stanton Historic Site’s Living History Day on June 14. Enjoy a guided cemetery walk with Ranger Javier, uncover stories of early residents and Lincoln County War veterans, and learn about the Fort Stanton–Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area with Conservation Manager Warren Kasper. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | $7 adults | Free for eligible guests.

Join the Lincoln Lecture Series on Saturday, June 7, for a powerful talk by Starlyn Bigrope, sharing the Mescalero Apache perspective in “Ndé History: Our Story, Our Experiences.” Held inside the historic San Juan Bautista Church, this engaging event offers a deeper look into New Mexico’s past through Indigenous voices. Included with site admission; free for eligible visitors.

Celebrate Native American heritage at the free Ruidoso Mescalero Apache Honor Day Festival, Saturday, May 31, 10 AM–7 PM at Country Club Park in Midtown. Enjoy live music, cultural presentations, artisan booths, storytelling, and delicious Native cuisine. Highlights include Levi Platero, Lee Pike War Dance Group, and artists from across the Southwest!

Join the Lincoln Lecture Series on May 3, 2025, with resident Johnny Boswell as he explores life on “The Most Dangerous Street in America.” Held monthly at San Juan Bautista Church. Included with $7/adult admission; free for kids 16 & under, Native/Tribal affiliates, NM disabled vets, NM foster families & MNMF members.

Fort Stanton Historic Site hosts Park Day on May 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., inviting volunteers to help clean and maintain trails across this historic site. In celebration of its 170th anniversary, the event honors Fort Stanton’s multifaceted past as a military post, hospital, and WWII internment center. Volunteers should bring water and wear sun-safe clothing and sturdy shoes. Learn More »

Experience history in action at Fort Stanton! Enjoy a 10 a.m. flag-raising, 11 a.m. internment camp tour, and a 1 p.m. chapel talk by ranger Christopher Ardent on Celestial Navigation and the Age of Discovery. Learn how early explorers charted the seas with live demos. Admission: $7 adults; free for kids and eligible groups. Buy Tickets >>

Step back in time and bring the whole family to the Wingfield Heritage House Museum for Hands-on History Family Day on Saturday, March 1, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This free event invites visitors of all ages to explore Ruidoso’s rich past through interactive activities and immersive experiences. Don’t miss this fun-filled, educational day!

Discover your family history at the Ruidoso Public Library this January! Join Paula Lasky for a free, four-session series on Saturdays (Jan 4, 11, 18, & 25) from 10-11:30 AM. Topics include "Getting Started," "Probate Records," "Land Records," and "DNA." Paula’s passion for genealogy will guide you through linking generations. Info: 303-589-1483.

Discover your family history at the Ruidoso Public Library this January! Join Paula Lasky for a free, four-session series on Saturdays (Jan 4, 11, 18, & 25) from 10-11:30 AM. Topics include "Getting Started," "Probate Records," "Land Records," and "DNA." Paula’s passion for genealogy will guide you through linking generations. Info: 303-589-1483.

Discover your family history at the Ruidoso Public Library this January! Join Paula Lasky for a free, four-session series on Saturdays (Jan 4, 11, 18, & 25) from 10-11:30 AM. Topics include "Getting Started," "Probate Records," "Land Records," and "DNA." Paula’s passion for genealogy will guide you through linking generations. Info: 303-589-1483.

Discover your family history at the Ruidoso Public Library this January! Join Paula Lasky for a free, four-session series on Saturdays (Jan 4, 11, 18, & 25) from 10-11:30 AM. Topics include "Getting Started," "Probate Records," "Land Records," and "DNA." Paula’s passion for genealogy will guide you through linking generations. Info: 303-589-1483.

The 25th reunion of the Last Great Cattle Drive of the Millennium invites past participants, fans, and supporters to gather at Cattle Baron in Ruidoso. This special evening offers an opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and honor the legacy of the 1999 drive, which celebrated New Mexico’s ranching heritage. Attendees will meet in the bar and cover their own food and drink orders.

Don't miss this lively annual community Day of the Dead celebration in Lincoln, NM. Come and join the fun with live music, dance, family activities, face painting, altar offerings, arts and crafts, and food and drink. This community event is free to the public.

Join a Flashlight Tour of Fort Stanton on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 7:30–9:30 PM! Explore off-limits areas after dark. Limited to 25 participants, ages 16+. Admission is $25 per person. Wear comfortable shoes and arrive on time. Tickets are non-refundable and available online. Don’t miss this unique chance to see Fort Stanton in a new light!

Celebrate the grand opening of the Wingfield Heritage House Museum in Ruidoso on Thursday, October 17, 2024! The event starts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon, followed by an open house from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Enjoy live music, food, and drinks from 4:00 - 6:00 PM. Shuttle service is available from the Mashburn Parking Lot behind Midtown from 2:00 - 6:00 PM. Don't miss this exciting cultural celebration!

Join Lincoln Historic Site for a lecture by Oliver Horn, Ph.D., Site Manager at Lincoln and Fort Stanton Historic Sites. He'll discuss Fort Stanton’s Buffalo Soldiers and its addition to the National Park Service’s Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. The lecture is included with general admission ($7/adult), and children 16 and younger attend for free.

Step back to the 1930s-40s on September 14th at Fort Stanton! Tour a WWII German internment camp, enjoy living history demos, and join kids' activities. Experience the New Deal era and WWII through captivating programs. Adults $7, kids 16 & under FREE. Don't miss this chance to explore a pivotal time in US history. Perfect for history buffs and families alike!

Experience history at Fort Stanton Historic Site on August 17, 10 AM-3 PM. Tour the old army cemetery and enjoy kids' crafts, vintage games, and living history demos. Adults $7, kids 16 and under free. A perfect family outing to explore 19th-century military life. Don't miss this chance to step back in time and discover New Mexico's rich past!

Join us on August 3, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM for a special Lincoln Lecture during Old Lincoln Days! Decorated Combat Veteran Brandon Dixon will explore the violent history of the Lincoln Courthouse at San Juan Bautista Church.

Admission: $7 for adults, free for children 16 and under. Don’t miss this engaging historical presentation!

On August 3rd, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Mary Lavin will give an insightful talk at the historic San Juan Bautista Church. Discover essential strategies for cooperative forest fire prevention and learn the true story behind Smokey Bear. This lecture is included with Old Lincoln Days admission: $7 for adults and free for children 16 and under. Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable knowledge in a beautiful setting. See you there!

Join this special Lincoln Lecture on August 2, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM during Old Lincoln Days! Matt Barbour, Deputy Director of New Mexico Historic Sites, will discuss hunting in New Mexico from an archaeological perspective at the historic San Juan Bautista Church. The Lincoln Lecture Series is included with Old Lincoln Days admission, priced at $7 for adults and free for children 16 and younger.

Discover the thrilling story of Billy the Kid’s capture and death with Herb Marsh. This special Lincoln Lecture Series event will be held at the historic San Juan Bautista Church. Included with Old Lincoln Days admission of $7 for adults, free for children 16 and under. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Western history in an iconic setting.

Celebrate San Juan Day at the Lincoln Historic Site on June 24, 2024. This Catholic Spanish festival honors the birth of St. John the Baptist and marks the start of summer. Enjoy a special mass at 10 AM in the San Juan Bautista Church and a lecture by Scott Smith at 11:30 As history. Admission is $7 for adults, free for children 16 and under, and covers both the mass ’ both the mass and the lecture.