New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs works to aid preservation work at Fort Stanton Historic Site

May 6th, 2022

Fort Stanton, NM - New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) and New Mexico Historic Sites announce that preservation work has begun on some of the historic buildings at Fort Stanton Historic Site. The department is spending $146,803 to preserve and stabilize properties throughout the site, including the Fort Stanton Marine Hospital, the Catholic Chapel, Fort Stanton Fire Station, the Adjutant’s Building, the Guard House, and the main parking lot entrance. In total, this preservation work brings capital spending at Fort Stanton to $367,656, in addition to $1,270,000 for a new water system being installed.  

Working with the contractors, NMDCA facilities team members from across the state will also assist. “We put a request for staff members from the Facilities Management Bureau to help with this work,” said Lino Hererra, Director of Facilities and Capital Improvements. “Facilities staff from the northern and central areas have come down to help the Historic Sites staff at Fort Stanton.” 

The work will include repairing or replacing doors, roofs, vigas, soffits, and the Fire Station portal, as well as repairs for the gas line. Additionally, safety improvements in main parking lot entrance will be made. The repairs primarily focus on ensuring external doors and roofs are functioning adequately, which is essential to the preservation of these buildings, but also includes some restoration work. 

“We have coordinated closely with the Historic Preservation Division to ensure the work retains the historic features of each structure,” Hererra said. “When working on preservation projects, we always seek to match the original character--if a two-by-four was used originally, then we replace it with a two-by-four.” 

“The Department of Cultural Affairs is focusing on five key areas at Fort Stanton in need of immediate preservation and improved visitor experience,” said Michelle Gallagher Roberts, Deputy Cabinet Secretary. “This project is just the start of many others to come.” 

Las Cruces-based MANSCO, the general contractor for the project, is overseeing the work which will also include identifying and removing asbestos. 

About New Mexico Historic Sites 

New Mexico Historic Sites is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its donors. The New Mexico Historic Sites system was established in 1931 by an Act for the Preservation of the Scientific Resources of New Mexico. The eight Historic Sites include Coronado, Fort Selden, Fort Stanton, Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site, Jemez, Lincoln, and Los Luceros.