"The goal of the Rendezvous history seminar is to raise awareness and foster an understanding of the different cultures along the Santa Fe Trail. Through presentations, first person narratives, living history encounters, and article posted on the event website and Facebook page, attendees will learn the history of women who traveled, lived, and died on the historic trade route. With notable exceptions, such as Susan Shelby Magoffin, the women of the Trail are often overshadowed by their male counterparts. This seminar will bring their experiences into light. For more information, call the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum at 620-285-2054 or email museum@santafetrailcenter.org
Their website is http://santafetrailcenter.org/ The conference information and schedule is at http://santafetrailcenter.org/rendezvous-2016/"
I will update the post when I receive more information from the museum.
Presentations and Schedule
RENDEZVOUS PROGRAMS
Susan Shelby Magoffin Marker Dedication
Join Dr. Leo Oliva and members of the Wet/Dry Routes Chapter as they dedicate a new marker at the Ash Creek Crossing where Magoffin’s carriage had an accident which eventually led to her miscarrying a child. Due to limited parking, we suggest arranging with fellow attendees to carpool.
First Person Narrative – Julia Archibald Holmes
Dr. Ann Birney holds a PhD in American Studies/Women’s Studies from the University of Kansas, is co-director of Ride Into History, and has held workshops on first-person narrative, storytelling, and more. Using Holmes’ letters, Birney will bring her to life as we learn about her adventures on the Santa Fe Trail and becoming the first white woman to climb Pike’s Peak.
Remember the Ladies
Dr. Alice Anne Thompson has devoted much of her research to the history of women of the Central Plains, in particular the Santa Fe Trail. In addition to extensively lecturing on the subject, she is co-author of the book, Women of the Santa Fe Trail. Her presentation introduces the theme of this year’s Rendezvous seminar. It will include a collection of images of the diverse women who traveled and lived along the Santa Fe Trail. Attendees will also see illustrations, maps, and photos of women who were “casualties” of trail travel and portraits of the women who launched the initiative to mark and preserve the Santa Fe Trail in the twentieth century to the present.
Lives of Cheyenne Women During the Period of the Santa Fe Trail
Minoma Littlehawk-Sills holds an interdisciplinary degree in American Indian Studies, Art Education, and Park & Recreation. In addition to previously working at Washita Battlefield National Historic Site and Little Bighorn National Monument, Littlehawk-Sills is an enrolled Cheyenne and a direct descendent of the Sand Creek Massacre, Washita Battle, and Little Bighorn. Drawing from her experiences, Littlehawk-Sills will share the culture and language of the Cheyenne and explore how much things have changed in the last 100 years.
Those Literate Women: Women Writing on the Santa Fe Trail
Dr. Michael Olsen has published extensively on the social, cultural and economic aspects of the Santa Fe Trail and trade. Using the published diaries and memoirs of women who traveled the trail over many decades, Olsen will assert that if it were not for these literate women, we would know a great deal less about the trail than we now do.
African-American Women on the Santa Fe Trail
Dr. Leo Oliva taught classes on American History at Fort Hays State University, was the editor for Wagon Tracks for 25 years, and is co-author of the book Women of the Santa Fe Trail. His presentation will look closely at the African-American women who traveled the trail, both free and slave. Some of these amazing women include Cathay Williams, who disguised herself as a male Buffalo Soldier; Mary Ann Wilson de Tevis, who operated a store in Taos; and Katie Bowen’s slave Margaret, who was eventually freed for her faithful service.
First Person Narrative – Kitty Hays
Kitty Frank is a trained and juried member of the Kansas Alliance of Professional Historical Performers. Frank will portray the adopted daughter of Seth Hays, a successful trader, rancher and tavern owner on the Santa Fe Trail. Through Kitty Hays’ eyes, Frank will contrast the wealthy lifestyles of investors in the heavy freighting business against the hardships of others who were impacted by the Trail, such as the Kanza tribal people.
First Person Narrative – Cathay Williams
Donna Madison first learned of Cathay Williams, a woman who disguised herself as a male and enlisted as a Buffalo Soldier in order to survive after the Civil War, at the dedication of the Buffalo Soldier Monument at Fort Leavenworth in 1992. She was so intrigued by Williams’ story that she began collecting every bit of research about her that she could. Eventually Madison developed a first person portrayal of Williams as an old woman, sharing her experiences as a suddenly freed, illiterate black woman with no home, job or plans for a future.
Why the DAR Saved the Santa Fe Trail
Shirley Coupal and Pat Traffas have both been members of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 30 years, serving in numerous chapter, state and national offices, including as State Regents. Using their vast combined research about the DAR markers along the Santa Fe Trail, Coupal and Traffas will delve into the history about the impressive DAR program to mark and preserve the heritage of the Trail.
Panel of Modern Woman Preserving, Protecting, and Promoting the Santa Fe Trail
Moderated by Alexa Roberts, Superintendent of Bent’s Old Fort and Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Sites, this panel comprised of Roberts, Faye Gaines, Sharon Haun, and Carolyn Kern, will talk about the issues related to preserving the trail from various perspectives.
On the Trail to Santa Fe - Performed by the St. George Elementary Honor Choir
Janet Armstead graduated from Kansas State University with a Master’s degree in Music Education. She recently retired after 41 years of teaching. She is co-director of the Santa Fe Trail Youth Trips and is a life long member of the Santa Fe Trail Association. On the Trail to Santa Fe, written by Armstead, is an elementary school musical that teaches children about the trail through word and song.
Prostitutes of the Santa Fe Trail
Jan MacKell Collins is a prolific writer who has published numerous articles and books on the topic of prostitution in the West. She is the former director of the Cripple Creek District Museum and Old Homestead Museum, Colorado. Collins’ presentation will highlight the women and bordellos which kept the trip down the Trail lively from beginning to end.
Fashion Show – Ladies Clothing at Fort Larned 1859-1878
Fort Larned National Historic Site will treat attendees to a fashion show depicting the various clothes worn by women during the time the fort was an active military post.
First Person Narrative – Black Women of the West
Angela Bates is the Executive Director of Nicodemus Historical Society & Museum and an historian of the African American experience in the West. Through her persona as Stage Coach Mary, Bates will explore the westward migration of African American women from the south, their employment opportunities, and the mark they left on the western frontier.
Katie Bowen, Domestic Doyenne of the Santa Fe Trail and Fort Union, New Mexico Territory, 1851-1853
Susan Haug Ward is the Great great granddaughter of Katie Bowen, the wife of Army Captain Isaac Bowen. After her husband was appointed Chief of the Commissary for the New Mexico Territories, Katie and her husband traveled the Trail to their new home. Katie Bowen’s letters provide an intimate view of domestic life while on the Trail. Ward will read excerpts from these letters, as well as passages from journals kept by both of her Great great grandparents.
Rendezvous Moderator
Dr. Joyce Thierer, Professor of Social Sciences at Emporia State University, will serve as the moderator for the Rendezvous history seminar. Thierer has almost 30 years’ experience with humanities programming through the Kansas Humanities Council. She is also co-director of Ride into History, a historical performance touring troupe. As moderator, Thierer will cultivate open discussion about the ideas and history that are presented in each presentation.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, September 22
(Santa Fe Trail Center)
9:00 a.m. - SFTA Board Meeting at SFTC (open to
the public)
2:00 – 6:00 p.m. - Rendezvous Registration at Santa Fe
Trail Center
5:30 p.m. - Opening Event: Dedication of Susan
Shelby Magoffin Marker (see
“Rendezvous Locations” section for
directions)
6:30 p.m. - Dinner and Program at Santa Fe
Trail Center Museum
Dr. Ann Birney – Portraying Julia
Archibald Holmes
Friday, September 23
(Larned Community Center)
7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. - Registration at Larned Community
Center
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. - Welcome and Introductions at the
Larned Community Center
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. - Presentation - Dr. Alice Anne
Thompson – Remember the Ladies
15 minutes for questions
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. - Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. - Presentation – Minoma Littlehawk-
Sills – Lives of Cheyenne Women
during the Period of the Santa Fe
Trail
15 minutes for questions
11:30 – 1:00 p.m. - Lunch at Community Center
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. - Presentation – Dr. Michael Olsen –
Those Literate Women: Women Writing
on the Santa Fe Trail
15 minutes for questions
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. - Presentation – Dr. Leo Oliva –
African-American Women on the
Santa Fe Trail
15 minutes for questions
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. - Coffee Break
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. - Presentation – Kitty Franks –
Portraying Kitty Hays
15 minutes for questions
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. - On your own – Community Center
will remain open. Things to do: Visit
the Santa Fe Trail Center Museum
(open until 6 p.m.), bid on SFTA
Silent Auction books, or discover
local DAR markers.
6:00 p.m. - Dinner and Program followed by
SFTA Hall of Fame Inductions &
SFTA Awards at Community Center
Donna Madison – Portraying Cathay
Williams
Saturday Morning, September 24
(Larned Community Center)
7:30 – 12:30 p.m. - Registration at Larned Community
Center
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. - SFTA Membership Meeting
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. - Presentation – Shirley Coupal & Pat
Traffas – Why the DAR Saved the
Santa Fe Trail
15 minutes for questions
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Panel Session – Alexa Roberts
(Moderator), Faye Gaines, Sharon Haun,
and Carolyn Kern – Modern Women
Preserving, Protecting and Promoting
the Santa Fe Trail
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. - Performance – Janet Armstead – On
the Trail to Santa Fe. Performed by the
St. George Elementary Honor Choir
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. - Lunch on your own – List of eating
establishments available at registration
table.
Saturday Afternoon, September 24
(Fort Larned National Historic Site)
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. - Presentation – Jan MacKell Collins –
Prostitutes of the Santa Fe Trail
15 minutes for questions
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. - Break
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. - Presentation – FLNHS – Ladies
Clothing at Fort Larned 1859-1878
15 minutes for questions
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. - Presentation – Angela Bates – Black
Woman of the West
15 Minutes for questions
6:00 p.m. - FLNHS Retreat
6:15 p.m. - Dinner and Program – Susan Ward –
Katie Bowen, Domestic Doyenne of the
Santa Fe Trail and Fort Union, New
Mexico Territory, 1851-1853
SILENT AUCTION
Duplicates and non-related books from the Harry C. Myers Collection will be offered for auction on Friday and Saturday of Rendezvous at the Larned Community Center. The silent bidding will be available on Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, bidding will be from 7:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. The auction will not be open during speaker sessions. Winners please pick up and pay after the last morning session. Good luck to all!
RENDEZVOUS LOCATIONS
Santa Fe Trail Center Museum – Two miles West of Larned on KS 156.
Ash Creek Crossing Marker – Due to limited parking please consider carpooling with fellow attendees. The Trail Center may be used as a meeting site. From the museum parking lot, turn East (right) onto Hwy 156 and travel 7.3 miles to R Road and turn West (left). This is a gravel road. Travel two miles to reach the dedication site. Some chairs will be available but seating is limited. After the dedication, to return to the Trail Center, continue West on R Road, approximately one half mile past the Magoffin Marker. At 100th Ave turn South (left) and travel 2.7 miles until you reach Hwy 156/56. Turn West (right) and travel 3.6 miles to reach the Trail Center.
Larned Community Center – From 4-way stop sign at US 56/KS 156 junction go one block East on US 56 and one block North on Toles Street (located behind the former National Guard Armory, now Heartland Irrigation).
Fort Larned NHS – Six miles West of Larned on KS 156.
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