Santa Fe Trail News:

The 200th Anniversary of the Santa Fe Trail will be celebrated as a major conduit of commerce between the East and West after Mexican independence.

The celebration will include a reenactment of the first group of American businessmen to arrive in Santa Fe, from Missouri, to sell goods to the citizens and Mexican military after Mexican independence from Spain in 1821.

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 at Santa Fe Plaza, in front of the Palace of the Governors, 105 W. Palace Ave. The Horse and Mule train will arrive using the Old Santa Fe Trail.

Considered the first American businessman of the Santa Fe Trail, William Becknell, dressed in his business attire of the day green tail coat and top hat, will lead his group to meet Mexican Governor Melgares of New Mexico and militia in front of the Palace to formally establish trade with goods such as colored cloth, combs, mirrors, tobacco, iron and gun powder.

There will be a 15-minute vignette after the arrival showcasing the meeting between Becknell, and the Mexican governor, with militia, and townspeople portrayed by period volunteers from Las Golondrinas and other history groups.

Bill Bailey will portray William Becknell. Bailey is a native Coloradoan (Wheat Ridge), a 40-year fur trade historian; and builder and restorer of historical buildings. He is currently building an 1830s walled fort in Lawton, Oklahoma for the Museum of the Great Plains. Art Gomez will portray the NM Governor Melgares. Additional reenactors include Lloyd Britton, Joe “Dirty Shirt” Kierst, Brett Pollet.