Free events are planned Friday and Saturday at the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village after kicking off with a free concert by The Badly Bent in the Pioneer Village.
On Saturday afternoon, the museum will feature a Chautauqua program with New Mexico railroad historian Fred Friedman and the rededication of the museum’s replica D&RG caboose.
The Badly Bent, a Durango-based band known for high-energy traditional and original bluegrass, will perform Friday at 7 p.m. The band, active since 1998, has a reputation for its musicianship and has won numerous music competitions, including the Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back The Badly Bent for a third year playing in the Pioneer Village for our Music at the Museum Concert Series,” said Joan Monninger, executive director of the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village. “They love our venue, and our audience loves them and the great energy they bring to our nostalgic setting.”
The concert starts Friday at 7 p.m. in the museum’s Event Shed; the museum’s west gate by the Aztec Splash Pad opens at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, the museum will welcome Fred Friedman, one of New Mexico’s leading railroad historians, for a special public program at 2:30 p.m. titled “Aztec and its Railroading History.” Friedman has presented numerous programs on various aspects of New Mexico railroading for the Historical Society of New Mexico, New Mexico Humanities Council, and other organizations. His program will focus on the unique railroad history of Aztec and the surrounding area.
Following Friedman’s program, the museum will host a rededication ceremony for the replica D&RG caboose in the Pioneer Village. The caboose underwent a meticulous preservation process from late 2022 to early 2024, made possible by the generosity of the Atchison-Johnston family. Originally, in 1992, Ray Atchison had the caboose constructed for the museum by employees of the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad, utilizing an old D&RG boxcar. This caboose serves as an engaging exhibit, connecting visitors to the region’s transportation history and railroading heritage as part of the museum’s collection of historic structures and equipment.
The Pioneer Village features more than a dozen historic wood structures, all of which require ongoing upkeep and costly preservation efforts. Honoring Ray’s legacy, the Atchison-Johnston family has funded the caboose’s preservation in 2016 and again more recently.
The contract work on the caboose was executed by Robert Parker of Aztec, while the authentic lettering was done by museum volunteer and Durango/Farmington train artist, Jeff Ellingson. The program will take place in the Pioneer Village by the caboose, with seating provided. Admission to the museum is free for this event.
The museum is at 125 N. Main Ave. in Aztec. Music at the Museum free concerts at the museum are possible by the Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation. Fred Friedman’s railroad program is possible by the New Mexico Humanities Council. All 2024 programming is possible by the museum’s 60th anniversary sponsors. For information, call (505) 334-9829.
