LEARN

We offer FREE Educational Programs for NM Youth Groups.
PHOTO: Monterrey Elementary School
PHOTO: Boy Scout Troop 59
PHOTO: Mustache contest
PHOTO: Dexter Elementary Grade 4
PHOTO: Cloudcroft Elementary
PHOTO: Fort Sumner Middle School
PHOTO: Girl Scouts
PHOTO: Girl Scouts
PHOTO: DeLaGarza family of Nogal

Educational Programs

Learn New Mexico history in your own backyard! Fort Stanton Historic Site has almost 165 years of history that tells a unique story of western expansion and the resulting clash of cultures.  Fort Stanton's story continued long after its use as a military fort when it became a public health facility that was responsible for groundbreaking research and treatments in the fight against tuberculosis, as well as providing a stabilizing economic and social foundation for nearby communities. 

Our goal is to give your students an in-person appreciation of our shared history while incorporating concepts that tie in with NM standards for your social studies curriculum.

Not able to come to Fort Stanton?  Our Instructional Coordinator, Tiffanie Owen, can come to you for a presentation at your school.  For more information about on-site tours or in-class presentations, please contact:

  • Contact the NM Department of Cultural Affairs Site Manager for State Historic Parks

    or call:  575-653-4025 ext. 111

On-Site Tour Scheduling (weather permitting):

(Please contact us 2-4 weeks in advance to schedule your tour).

School tours may be scheduled Tues.-Fri. for a morning or afternoon session.

  • Morning Session:  10:00-12:00 (Not including bathroom or lunch breaks.) 

  • Afternoon Session:  12:00-2:00  (Not including bathroom or lunch breaks.)

*** If you are considering both Fort Stanton and Lincoln Historic Site, tour times will be adjusted to allow a break for both students and staff.

Touring Lincoln and Fort Stanton Historic Sites:  

Fort Stanton and Lincoln Historic Sites are within 12 miles of each other and both provide completely different learning opportunities for your students. Since the stories of both sites are connected by the Lincoln County War, you may consider a tour at one site in the morning, a lunch break, and then complete the experience with a tour of the other site in the afternoon.  For most classes, this option is typically influenced by drive time and bus schedules.

Teachers & Chaperones:

Fort Stanton Historic Site can accommodate tours for up to 60 students.  For safety reasons, please plan on a teacher/chaperone to student ratio of 1 adult for every 10 students.  Large groups will be split into two smaller groups.  

It is important that chaperones understand their role in supervising students.  At both sites, the buildings themselves should be treated as artifacts, as well as the items contained within.  Students should be instructed not to touch or sit on artifacts or furniture, not to walk or climb on structures or walls and not to climb, run or jump while inside buildings.  Students should also be instructed to use "inside voices"  and to stay with the tour guide at all times.  

Weather:

Our tour includes several locations with considerable time spent outdoors.  Temperatures can be 20-30 degrees cooler, especially on windy days.  Students should be encouraged to bring layered clothing.  Other considerations are sunscreen, umbrellas, or bug repellants.

Lunch:  

Although food and drinks are not allowed inside the museums, tours have been scheduled to allow time for lunch after completion of your tour or prior to the start of your tour time. Fort Stanton has a location near the bus with picnic tables and trash cans.  In inclement weather, an indoor cafeteria space is available.

Food is not available for purchase on-site at this time. 

Parking & Restrooms:

Approaching Fort Stanton from Hwy 220, school buses and private vehicles will be entering the Fort compound on Kit Carson Rd.  Just after the 2nd crosswalk, an inlet on the left provides space for a bus to pull in parallel to the museum without having to turn into a parking lot.  Chaperones in private vehicles may turn right and enter the museum parking lot across the street from the bus inlet.  Please remind students when before they debus that they will be stepping out into a street and that they need to remain aware of their surroundings and stay close to the bus until they are instructed to move.  

Restrooms are available at the museum, so it is recommended that you arrive 15-20 minutes before your tour start time to allow for a bathroom break.

Ready to schedule your tour?

Please contact Instructional Coordinator, Tiffanie Owen, to inquire about availability for your desired tour date and discuss additional details.  We hope to see you soon at Fort Stanton Historic Site!

  • 575-653-4025 ext. 111

Educational programs at Fort Stanton are ongoing. Please contact us for more information.

Publications