The Presidio Museum comes alive allowing visitors to get a feel for life in the Presidio during the late 18th-century New Spain Period and the 19th-century Territorial Period. Enjoy blacksmith and soldier demonstrations and drills, and many other interactive activities.
This month, Living History will also take a special look at the use of plants from the New Spain period up to the American Territorial Period. Plants were multipurpose and could be used for much more than just eating. Plants also were used for medicinal purposes and dyes. In various areas of the event, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about cochineal, the red dye that was one of Spain’s most valuable exports.
Horticultural Activities include:
**Plant & Heritage Food Sale featuring native and arid-adapted plants and food items made with heritage ingredients.
**Tortilla-making classes at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm – Learn how to make tortillas from the creation of the masa dough to the forming and cooking of the tortillas. Tastings included! (These classes are included in the cost of the event.)
**Demonstrations of dying various items with natural dyes including cochineal
**Examples of paintings created using cochineal as a color
**Displays of foods from the Old World and the New World that were shared between the Spanish and the local Native American tribes and used for food and medicinal purposes