Fort Huachuca, AZ – 26 JAN 2012

Statue signage: “THE BUFFALO SOLDIER – FORT HUACHUCA HONORS THE BUFFALO SOLDIER. A SYMBOL OF THE PROUD TRADITION OF THE BLACK FIGHTING MAN. AND REMEMBERS THE PROMINENT ROLE HE HAS PLAYED IN THE POST’S HISTORY. 3 MARCH 1977 – ARTIST: ROSE MURRAY”

The first Black regiment to arrive at Fort Huachuca was the 24^th Infantry in 1892. However, the most renowned Black regiment, the 10^th Cavalry Regiment (first to be call Buffalo Soldiers) formed in 1866, arrive here in December of 1913.

In addition, the 9^th Cavalry, the 24^th and 25^th Infantry (all were Black regiments) also served here briefly during the 1890’s. More than any other installation in the U.S. military establishment, Fort Huachuca has earned the title “Home of the Buffalo Soldier.”

Tinky Winky had a lot of fun sneaking into as many displays as possible.

The Museum Annex Building had a large open display.

The main museum building had once been the Officers Club and consisted of several rooms on two floors.

Below left: Buffalo Soldiers played competitive baseball starting in the 1890’s; right: Corporal Freddie Stowers, the only African-American Medal of Honor recipient from WWI.

The regimental band of the 369^th, led by Lieutenant James Reese Europe, was largely responsible for introducing blues and jazz music to the French and to Europe.

The first Black regiments in Europe wore the blue French helmet before switching to the US doughboy helmet. When the 93th Division was reactivated for WWII, they wore a blue helmet patch.

All four Black regiments fought heroically in Cuba during the Spanish-American War of 1989.

The above 10^th Cavalry insignia was painted in 1944 by Anna Russell, the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women.

They also had an Intelligence Museum, of course I kept thinking about the two words that are often used to define the meaning of the word oxymoron.

Emblem on Front Door

The Enigma machine, also called Glowworm, the Nazi message scrambler they thought was unbreakable; yet, the British crypt-analysts broke the code early in the war.

Enigma Machine

The museums were located in the old part of the fort as evident by these buildings:

When driving around the surrounding land outside of the post, I found this interesting mailbox post:

Mission San Fernando, Rey de España, CA - 21 JAN 2012

Todd has been writing about several local Missions and their influence on San Pedro history; yet, had not visited any of them…so we decided to take a field trip. 

Founded in 1797, this is the only mission named for a King of Spain.  It is an active Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

You enter from the Gift Shop (black arrow) into the East Garden and find the above map. I hadn't been to this Mission in thirty years; I don't remember it having museum exhibits...it may not have been open to the public because of the damage caused by the 1971 earthquake. 

I think someone was celebrating a Quinceañera, as the East Garden was filled with photographers and dressed-up children...luckily they were all gone by the time we finished in the museums. The flower shaped fountain is a copy from an  original in Cordova. 

In one of the museum rooms I followed the signs down to the wine cellar and found myself in a pitch dark room…my camera flash had to tell me what I wasn't seeing:

The Mission church is an exact replica of the earlier edifice erected between 1804 and 1806.

Measuring 166 by 35 feet, its walls are seven feet thick at the base, tapering to five feet at the top.

The 16^th century gold-leafed reredos, a memorial to Eugenie Hannon, was installed in 1991.  

Tinky Winky just had to touch the pulpit that Pope John Paul II visited in 1987.

The small cemetery holds several thousand neophytes and early settlers.

Next to the cemetery is the Bob Hope Memorial Garden where Bob, his wife (who died in 2011 at the age of 102), are buried near his mother.

There were several workshop exhibits with authentic furnishings, recreating the atmosphere of the carpentry, pottery, saddle, blacksmith shops, and weaving room.

I wanted to take Todd to the San Luis Rey Mission because it’s one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, all long and white, surrounded by open areas that allows photos. Here, we couldn’t even take an image of the outside of this Mission, as it is surrounded by houses and condos…

…but, I did get their security vehicle:

Knights Templar...love the name!

Todd's website on San Pedro History:  MySanPedro.org

Colonial Williamsburg, VA – Jan 7-8, 2012

In 1924 William A. R Goodwin started a movement to preserve the remaining historic buildings in this area. The wealthy son of Standard Oil, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., became his primary source of funding. Today, Colonial Williamsburg includes 88 original 18^th century structures (most of them are re-constructions) on 301 acres. Several buildings are open to the public while others are private residences and administrative offices.

Practicing tradesmen (and women) create a living history by applying their trades and educating the visitors on 18^th century life, politics, and customs.

Shoemaker - a trade practiced in America since 1610. The making of boots and shoes for men and the making of shoes for women were separate pursuits.

Millinery shops were almost always owned by women. They would make shifts, gowns, aprons, hats, shirts, muffs and cloaks.

Wigmakers were a necessity as both ladies and gentlemen wore the latest styles.

Apothecary was more than a druggist. They would diagnose illness and provide medical treatment, including surgery and midwifery.

The Gardener used colonial tools, plants and techniques.

Other trades included people who made baskets, bricks, cabinets, guns, wheels, barrels, cloths, books, all manner of items and services needed to sustain a society. 

In addition to trades people who worked at their colonial crafts (for a modern living), there were “Actors” who portray specific characters of the period.

Where there are horses, this is hazardous waste. 

The building in the background, on the left, was the Magazine...gun powder on the ground floor and weapons on the second floor.

This wall contained real antique weapons. The path to the arsenal (as were several others) was made from crushed sea shells.

Tinky Winky gets friendly with a house maid.

The Magazine is one of the original structures…notice the brick pattern?

Most brick structures had a pattern, using the happy accident of bricks that were heated in sand that got too hot and became glass, making a glaze on the brick. 

For two days, I enjoyed a meal at the local tavern.

Above is Joshiah’s Best Welsh Rarebit – Warm Ale and Mustard-spiced Cheddar Cheese over Sippets with shaved Virginia Ham...it was excellent!

TW and I really enjoyed the “Old Stitch” Ale made from the original 18^th Century recipe…thick brown color, no head, molasses scent, with a hint of chocolate, slight roasted malt/caramel flavor with a nutty finish. Very unique, unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. I don't like dark beer, this was lighter and very pleasant, had to have it both days. 

Colonial Williamsburg is next to the College of William and Mary. This is the view, as I approached the the building.

Above is a ceramic model of the Christopher Wren Building. 

This is the view from the other side.

The schedule said there was a “Historical Organ Recital” at the Wren Chapel, so I headed there for the 10:00 AM concert. This is what I heard: 

It was a pump organ but electricity had been added. The item off his finger is enlarged on the right photo. One on each side, they held the original silver candelabras, which have been removed for safe keeping.

Brass lock on the inside of the front door.

Interior views

Back at Williamsburg, I found a large underground museum. They still had a Christmas tree up which had a wind-vane topper.

Wind Vanes

The DeWitt Wallace Museum was impressively large, like a mini-Smithsonian, with an extensive collection of American and British antiques. 

Everything from furniture, metals (silver tea sets). ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, firearms, textiles, clothing, wigs, cigar store mannequin (see above) and......

...a small carousel.

Down the road, at the Burton Parish, I found a small cemetery.

Inside the parish is the original baptismal font and a bronze lectern which was a gift from President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement. It holds a Holy Bible from King Edward, presented for the same occasion.

Note the detail…the angel has a foot on the new world and the old.

Outside the parish, was the local lunatic…very entertaining.

I finished the day with a ghost tour.

I took too many photos to share here, so check out my slide show: