ElRanchodelasGolondrinasPlacitaNarrative

GolondrinasPlacitaIntroduction

TheGolondrinasPlacitaisapartiallyreconstructedexampleofan18thcentury

Spanishcolonialhome,builtasadefensivestructureandpositionedontheCamino

RealasaRanchoandparaje(stoppingplace).Builtinthe1960s,theentirestructure

isnotoriginal.TheChapelandFoundersRoomarebelievedtohavebeen

constructedbetweenthe18thand19thcenturyasaprivatedwellingandlaterused

asabarnuntilitstransformationintoamuseumexhibit.Partialadobefoundations

werepresentwheretheKitchenandCaptivesRoomarenow.Theiroriginalform

andfunctionisunclearanditisnotknownwithcertaintywholivedinwhatisnow

theChapelandFoundersRoom.

Ranchossuchasthesewouldhavebeentheresidenceofonefamilyincludingany

extendedfamilyplusservantsandslaves.BecauseofitslocationontheCaminoReal

aRanchoanditsgroundswouldalsoserveasaparaje,accommodatingtraveling

militarypersonnel,governmentemissaries,Franciscanclergyandtraders.In1780,

GovernorJuanBautistadeAnzaledanexpeditionseekingtoestablishanewtrade

routebetweenSantaFeandArispe,Mexico.OnNovember9thofthatyearthegroup

marched4leagues(approximately10miles)southfromSantaFeontheirfirstday

andcampedinLaCiénegaataplacedescribedasLasGolondrinas.Whileits

unknownexactlywhereAnzacamped,onecanimaginealargeexpeditionforce,full

ofexcitementandtrepidationabouttheadventureahead,settingupsomewhereat

LasGolondrinas.

ThearchitectureisspecificallydesignedfordefenseandisofSpanishorigin.

Constructionisofadobes(sun-driedmudbricks)coveredwithmudplaster.Roofs

areflatandcoveredwithearth.ThepeakedroofoftheChapelisalateraddition

fromthelate19thorearly20thcenturywhentinroofingmaterialwasreadily

availablewiththeadventoftherailroadinNewMexicoafter1880.

Entryisthroughoneofthetwozaguanes(coveredentries)leadingtotheplacita

(littleplaza)withanoria(well)andhornos(earthovens)wherethefamilyandtheir

servantsandslaveswouldhavespentamajorityoftheirtimeworking.A

puertón/portón(largedoor)couldbeopenedforwagons,animalsandgroupsof

people,whileapuertadezambullo(smalldoor)wasusedbyindividuals.The

hornoswereinconstantuse.ThehornocametoSpainfromtheMoorsinNorth

AfricaandtoNewSpainwithnochangeindesign.Theywereusedtobakemany

foodssuchaspan(bread),dulces(sweetbread),panocha(sproutedwheatandsugar

pudding),cajetademembrillowhichisdriedquinceandsugar.Hornoswerealso

usedtosteamfreshcornforchicos(driedcorn)androastgreenchile.Therooms,

whichsurroundtheplacita,makeupthedefensiveexteriorwalls.Theroomsare

accessiblefromoneanotherthroughinteriordoorsandfromtheplacitathrough

exteriordoors.Interiorwindowslookingintotheplacitaarelarge,allowingairand

lightintotherooms.Exteriorwindowsaresmallfordefensivepurposesandare

insetwithseleniteormicatoallowlightin.Seleniteisamineralgypsumwhose

crystalscanoccurastabularsheetswhichhavebeenusedasglasspanesasearlyas

theancientRomanempire.Micaisasheetsilicatemineralthatcanbeusedforthe

samepurposebutistypicallynotastranslucent.Exteriorwindowswerealso

coveredwithanimalskinsandwoodrejas(bars)whileinteriorwindowswere

barredand/orshuttered.Fireplacesareofadobeandtypicallyconstructedin

corners.Theroofsaresupportedbyvigas(woodbeams),whichwouldhavebeen

primarilyroundandarecharacteristicofadobeconstruction.Earlyexamplesof

finelyadzedsquarebeamsdoexistandaredisplayedhereaswell.Theceilingisa

mixofroundlatillas(poles)andrajas(roughstripsofwood)laidacrossthevigas,

signifyingalackofmilledlumber.Doorsarehandhewnwithanadzegivingthema

stoutandsubstantialappearance.Itwasalsocommonforanimalhidestobehung

andusedasinteriordoors.Whileonaverage,18thcenturyEuropeansandtheirNew

Worldcounterpartswereslightlyshorterthanwearetoday,doorheightwasnot

dictatedbythisfact.Rather,thedoorsaresmallforanumberofotherpractical

reasons.Theyrequirelessmaterialtomake,helptomaintainheatinaroomwhen

openedandhighthresholdsonexteriordoorshelpkeeprainwater,snow,mudand

leavesfromenteringtheroom.Smallerdoorsalsooffersomedefensebyforcingyou

tobothstoopdownandstepoverthethresholdwhenenteringaroomorbuilding.

ThisstyleoflivingisdirectlytransplantedfrommedievalSpainandpersistedin

otherpartsoftheSpanishcolonies.Itsimportanttorememberthattheplaneof

existenceincolonialandterritorialNewMexicowasmuchlowerthanitistodayin

thateverydaylifeinevenwell-to-dohomesoccurredmuchlowertotheground.

TheSpanishcolonialswereheavilyinfluencedbymedievalandMozarabiccustoms.

Thesecustomsprevailedwellintothe19thcenturyasamatterofpreferenceandin

someinstancesasaresultofculturalisolation.Asamatterofcustomand

familiarityNewMexicanstypicallysat,ateandsleptoncushionsandlowstools

throughoutthe18thand19thcentury.ThisSpanishcustomwanedinthelate19th

andearly20thcenturybecauseofincreasingAmericaninfluenceandaffordable

mass-producedfurniture.Someoftheselowseatingareasorestradoswere

exceptionallylushwithsoftmattresses,pillowsandtextiles.

ThematerialcultureondisplaywillbeamixoffineandutilitarianSpanishgoods,

nativemadematerial,andSpanishcolonialmaterialfabricatedonthenorthern

frontier.

CapillaySaladeFundadoresChapelandFoundersRoom

SalaGrandeFormalLivingRoom

Thisstructureisbelievedtobetheoldestbuildingstillstandingonoriginal

foundationsatLasGolondrinas.Originallyhavingatraditionalflatroof,thepeaked

roofoftheChapelisalateradditionfromthelate19thorearly20thcenturywhentin

roofingmaterialwasreadilyavailablewiththeadventoftherailroadafter1880.

Theoriginallevelofvigasisstillvisibleonthebuilding’sexterior.Thewoodfloor

wasaddedwhenthebuildingwastransformedintoamuseumexhibit.Priortoits

transformationintoachapelitwasbeingusedasabarn.Basedonthelayoutand

objectsondisplaythecurrentinterpretationisofaNorthernNewMexicanHispanic

chapelfromthelate19thcentury.Thisroomdoesnotrepresentafamilychapelor

serveasanexampleofareligiousspacethatwouldhaveexistedataRanchofrom

the1700s.Rather,thischapelservesasatestamentoffaithandoftheenduringrole

thatreligionhasplayedinthelivesofNewMexicansfromthecolonialperiodto

today.In1994,elevenartistsworkingintraditionalstylesconstructedthealtar

screen.In1995,fourteensanteros(saintmakers)andatinsmithmadetheStations

oftheCross.TheFoundersRoomiswherethefirstmeetingoftheColonialNew

MexicoHistoricalFoundationwasheld.Thisgroup,undertheauspicesofthe

Paloheimos,laidthefoundationthatbroughtabouttheexistenceofthemuseum.It

nowservesasarotatingexhibitspace.See“TheBultosoftheGolondrinasChapel”

intheinterpreterhandbookformoreinformationonthealtarscreenandStationsof

theCross.

AsapartofaSpanishcolonialhomethisroomwouldbequitedifferent.Itwould

haveservedastheSalaGrande(FormalLivingRoom).Thislargemultipurpose

roomwouldhaveseenavarietyofactivitiesbutprimarilybeenreservedforthe

familyoftheRancho.Familymealswouldhavebeentakenhereorthefamilyroom

withservicecomingfromtheadjacentkitchen.Membersofthefamilymayeven

havesleptinthisroom.Celebrationsandfandangos(Spanishdanceparties)would

havebeenstagedhereandlargecommunityandpoliticalmeetingswouldalsohave

beenheldinthisroom.Distinguishedguestswouldhaveusedthisroomfor

lodging.

LaCocinaKitchen

TheSpanishColonialKitchenwasahubofactivitysinceitprovidedthefueltorun

theRancho.Basicmeals,mostlyservedontherun,wereprobablythenormfor

mostofthepeoplewhopopulatedtheRancho.TheRanchoowner,hishonored

guestsandhisimmediatefamilywouldbeservedtheirmealsinthefamily’s

quarterswhileservants,captives,slavesandworkerswouldeatinthekitchenor

grabaquickmealastheywentabouttheirbusiness.Thefoodservedwouldbea

mixtureofSpanishandPueblodishesascolonizationcreatedaculinaryfusion.

Vesselformsalsoreflectedthisculturalmixtureandinmanycasestraditional

Spanishformssuchasredwaresoperos(soupplates)werebeingcommissionedby

colonistsandmadebyPuebloIndians.Thisutilizationofnativeskillisindicativeof

theearlyNewMexicanlocaleconomy.Thepreparationandstorageoffoodwasa

constantandrequiredgreateffortmostlyonthepartofwomen,althoughmen

hunted,slaughteredandpreparedthemeatfromgameorlargedomesticated

animals.Themetatesandmanos(grindingstones)wereusedtopreparegrains;

thisarduousworkwaslefttoyoungwomenbothinthePueblosandontheranch.

Eventuallygrainmillsrelievedpartofthisburden.Tortillasofcornandflour,a

modestamountofmeat,squash,beansandchilewerethemainstayswithfruitsand

othervegetablesaddedinseasonorstoredforuse.Spices,salt,andspecialfoods

suchaschocolateorsugarwerecarefullystoredandprotected.

WateratthisRanchowaseasilyaccessiblebutstillhadtobehauledaboutand

storedforthefamily’suseandforfoodpreparation.Cookingwasdoneinanopen

fireplacethathadashelfaboveforstorageoftoolsandfoodwhichcouldalsobe

usedasabunk,knownasashepherdsbed,inespeciallyharshweather.Thehooded

hearthorshepherds-stylehearthwastypicalofNorthernNewMexicohomesanda

directdescendentofSpanishhoodedfireplaces.Thefirewassimplymadeonthe

floorinthecornerwiththehoodandfludirectingsmokeoutoftheroom.While

splitwoodsuchaspiñon,juniperandcottonwoodwereusedinfireplacesitwas

morecommontousecharcoal.Colonistsquicklyunderstoodthelimitationsof

resourcesandwoodthathadbeenpreparedascharcoalwasmuchmoreefficient,

lesswasteful,resultedinkitchensthatwerelesssmokyandfoodthathadlessash

fallintoit.ItwassoimportantthatFranciscanshadnativeboysassignedtoits

preparation.“Thecookingisdonewithcharcoalwinterandsummer;thismakes

thingsmucheasierforthepeople…Thefoodisbetter;thecooksarenottroubled

andfilthdoesnotfallintoit[food]”(Dominguez,“TheMissionsofNewMexico,

1776”,p.311).Inwarmweathercookingwouldbedoneintheplacita.Thehornos

adjacenttothekitchenwereforbakingandroasting.Servantsandslaveswould

sleepinthekitchenorotherroomswheretheyworked--likealloftheroomsofthe

Rancho,thekitchenwouldservemultipleuses.Althoughthekitchenisfulloftools

andequipment,ithadlittlefurniture.Trasteros(cupboards)whichwereusedto

storetrastes(dishes)wereuncommoninthe18thcenturybutbigchestsusedto

storejustabouteverythingandusedasworksurfacescouldbefoundinalarge

kitchensuchasthis.Thelogharinero(grainchest)isanespeciallyprizedstorage

device.Lowstoolsandbencheswereusedforbothsittingandforthepreparation

offood.Thepracticeofeatingfamilystylewhileseatedatatableanddiscussing

yourday,somuchapartofourmodernlives,wasnotapartoflifebeforethelate

19thcenturyinvariouspartsoftheworld.Aswastypicalofthetime,mealswerea

task,notaneventandoftentakenonthego.Therewastypicallyanelementof

segregationsomen,womenandchildrenoftenateseparatelyorinstages.Meals

weresimplyameansofstockinguponcaloriestogetyouthroughthedayandwere

typicallytreatedwithlittlefanfare.Theservingpiecessuchastin-glazed

earthenware(talaveraandmajolica),silverplatesandeatingutensils,glasswareand

pewterwereusedtoservetheRanchofamilywhileservantsmighthaveashared

potoffoodandatortillaonasimpleunglazedearthenwareplateandcup.

Everywhere,metalwashighlyprizedsoallvesselsandothertoolsmadeofmetal

wereespeciallyvaluable.Pueblopotterywasalsowidelyusedforstorageand

service.

• Theharinero(grainchest)ismadefromahollowedcottonwoodlogand

showstheingenuityofSpanishcolonists.Thisformisunique,verydifficult

tomakeandnottypicalofthetypesofgrainchestsusedin18thcenturyNew

Mexico.

• Manosandmetates(grindingstones)areonthefloornearbyforthedaily

processoftortillamaking.

• Inthehearthareiron,copperandceramiccookingvesselswithtrivets,iron

skewers,spoons,andothercookingimplements.Metalitemswereeither

broughtinbycolonistsormadebylocalSpanishblacksmiths.Thepotteryis

amixofpuebloandSpanishforms.

• Paddlesandotherimplementsforthehornosarebythedoorway.

• Thespaceabovethehearthwasmultipurposeandwouldbeusedtodryfood

orforgeneralstorage.Inextremecoldweatheritcouldbeusedasasleeping

platform/shepherdsbed.

• Nearthehearthisalowhangingcradlesothewomengrindingcornorflour

onthefloorcouldeasilycheckonthebaby.Thesmallbuilt-inbanco(bench)

isusedforsittingandstorage.

• Therepisa(woodshelf)heldthespecialservingpiecesforthefamilysuchas

majolica,pewter,silverandglass.

• Thenicho(nicheorrecessinwall)withshelvesasyouentercouldholda

varietyofculinaryobjectsandhouseholdorpersonaleffectsincludingpots

ofdriedfoodandsomeofthepotsusedforfoodpreparation.

• Hangingabouttheroomarebaskets,driedfood,herbsandtools.

ElCuartodeRecibo

ReceptionRoom

Locateddirectlyadjacenttothelargeentryzaguán,theReceptionRoomwouldhave

beentherealmofthemanofthehouse.TheRanchowasfarmorethanahomeand

servedasthecenterofabusinessenterprisethatincludedfarming,raisinglivestock,

productionofwoolproductsincludingwoventextiles,stakesinminingendeavors

andthetradingoflocalandimportedgoodsontheCaminoReal.Therewasaneed

forspacetoworkandfortransactionsofawidevarietytotakeplace,precious

commoditiestobesortedandstored,visitorstobereceivedandhousedand

documentstobepreparedandguarded.HeretheRanchoowner,Ranchero,could

greetvisitorsarrivingattheparajefromtheirjourney.Hishonoredguestswouldbe

offeredhousinginthisroomwhichadjoinedthefamilylivingquarters—rolledhides

andtextilescouldbespreadoutforguestsorusedbytheRanchoownerwhenhe

wishedtohaveprivacyfromtherestofhisfamily.Herehemightworklateintothe

nightgoingoverhisaccountsorpreparingotherimportantdocuments.Fromhere

hemightalsogivehisworkerstheirassignmentsorprovidethemwiththeirpayin

theformofcommoditiesoftherealm.SincehemightbetheonlyoneintheRancho

whowasabletoreadorwrite,hewouldhaveusedthisspacetohouseprecious

booksortowriteuponhisescritorio(desk),wherehealsokeptimportantpapers.

Heapedabouttheroomwouldbespecialgoodsthatwereintransition—either

comingfromorgoingtoMexicoproper.SincetheRanchoproducedsurpluswoolen

goods,hewasinapositiontobeinvolvedinthemerchanttradebyexchanginghis

surplusforsuchthingsasthenewlyarrivedluxurygoodsortools--thingsthatcould

laterbesoldorbarteredtoaddtotheincomeoftheRancho.Ingeneral,thisentry

roomservedasthemainoffice,specialstorageandguestroomfortheRancho.The

roomalsobufferedtherestofthefamilyfromthegeneralcomingsandgoingsof

non-familymembersandarrivingstrangers.

• Animalhideswereusedasbeddingandfloorcoveringaswellasdoor

coverings.Inaddition,woolenmattress-likebagswerecommonlyusedas

bothbeddingandseating.

• WritingdeskswerebasedupontheSpanishvargueñowhichwasaseparate

chestsittinguponatable.Smallerboxeswithdrawersandahingedfront

writingsurfacewereoftenreferredtoasescritoriosandcouldbetransported

forusebytheliterateandwell-to-do.Eventhoughinkwasconstantlyin

shortsupply,notariesandscribesplayedanessentialroleinthe

documentingoflegalaffairsinthecolony.Oftenlackingtheirservices,local

alcaldes(mayors)orothereducatedindividualssuchasourRancherowould

fulfillthisrole.EspeciallyimportantdocumentsweresentbacktoMexico

CitytobeenteredintotheNotarialArchives.Documentssuchasthese,as

wellasecclesiasticalreports,haveprovideduswithinformationaboutlifeon

thefarfrontierofNorthernNewSpain.Inventoriesofgoodsbeing

transportedtoandfromthecolonywerekeptasmuchforthegovernment—

sothatgoodscouldbetaxed—asforthemerchant.

• Asareceptionroomforthemerchant/rancherthisroomwouldholdgoods

eithercomingorgoing.Thesix-boardchestwasusedfortransportaswellas

forstorage—itwouldberaisedoffthefloor.Wovenleatherchestswere

madeinMexicoproperandinothercoloniesaswell,theywereusedforboth

thetransportofgoodsandforstorage.Achairforspecialvisitorsandforthe

Ranchoowner’susewouldrepresentanotherexampleofstatusandwealth.

• Therearepilesofwoolengoodsbeingsetasideinthisroominpreparation

fortrade.OtherimportanttradegoodsforthisRanchomightbetrained

mules,horsesandoxenneededforthejourney.Thesemightbetradedfor

somethingraretothecolonysuchasirontoolsorevenchocolate,abook,ora

boltofsilk.

• Theowner’sroommightalsoincludetheluxurygoodsusedtoservesuchas

pewter,silver,orglass.

• Lightingforhistaskswouldincludeprecioustallowcandlesandpossiblyoil

lamps.

• TherewaslittletonohardcurrencyincirculationinNewMexicoduringthis

period.Thiswasfurthercomplicatedbymonedasimaginarias(illusory

moneys)inventedbydishonestmerchantstodeceivecolonistsandnatives.

Thisconsistedof4differentkindsofpesostoconfuseconsumers.Silverpesos

werevaluedat8reales,deproyecto(inflatedpesos)werevaluedat6reales,

oldpesoswerevaluedat4realesandlatierra(commonpesos)valuedat2

reales.However,colonistshadacomplexsystemofbarterwithaclear

understandingofhowmuchsomethingwasworth,intermsofsilverpesos,

andwhatcombinationofgoodsinreturnforsomethingwouldbeconsidered

sufficientpayment.Belowareafewexamplesofvaluesfrom1776inthe

SantaFearea:

o Fanega(100poundsor1.5bushels)ofwheatormaize:4pesos

o Fanegaofchickpeas:12pesos

o Fanegaofanyotherlegume:8pesos

o Cowwithcalf:25pesos

o Cowwithoutcalf:20pesos

o Wildbull:15pesos

o Tamebulltrainedunderyoke:20pesos

o Tameox:25pesos

o Yearlingcalf:6pesos

o Otherlivestock(sheep,ewe,goat):2pesos

o Fowl:4reales(halfofapeso)

o Mulefemale:40pesos

o Mulemale:30pesos

o Donkey(maleandfemale):100pesosormoredependingonanimal

o Horse(maleandfemale):100pesosormoredependingonanimal

o 1varaoflinen:2pesos

o 1poundofchocolate:2pesos

o 1poundofsugar:1peso

o 1pairofshoes:2pesos

o 1deerskin:2pesos

o 1fatpig:12pesos

o 20eggs:1peso

o 1ristraofchile:2pesosinRioArriba,1pesoinRioAbajo

o 4fleecesofwool:2pesosinRioArriba,1pesoinRioAbajo

ElCuartodeFamiliaFamilyRoom

ThisroomwasamongthemostprotectedlocationsintheRanchosinceitwas

enteredonlybypassingthroughtheentrycuarto(room)orbythetorreón(tower)

room.Thiswastheinnersanctumruledbytheladyofthehousewhereshestored

herpreciousthingsandraisedherchildren.Assuch,itischaracterizedbytheuseof

avarietyoftextilesforwarmth,comfortanddecorationandwouldbethespot

wherewomenwouldgathertoworkandsocialize.Alongthewallsareadobebancos

(benches)usedforbothsleepingandseating,asarethelargerollsofbeddingthat

arespreadoutatnight.Duringtheday,thesecomfortablesofa-likerollswerethe

spotthatwomencoulduseforseatingandloungingastheyworked.Someofthese

lowseatingareasorestradoswereexceptionallylushwithsoftmattresses,pillows

andtextiles.Liketheentryroom,asmallfireplaceprovidedheatandcouldbeused

forsomemodestcookingalthoughmostoftheseriousfoodpreparationtookplace

inthekitchen.Servantswouldservethefamilyitsmealsinthisroomastheysat

upontheirrollsofbeddingoruponlowstools.Thechestssoubiquitoustothe

entireRanchowerenotonlyforstoragebutcouldalsobeusedforservingandas

worksurfaces.Littleotherfurnituregracedtheroomalthoughachairortwomight

bereservedforspecialguests.Analtarareaintheroomwasmaintainedforthe

family’sprivateworship.Aboveamodesttablewerestackedreligiousimagesthat

mimictheformofthemoreelaboratealtarsandaltarpiecestobefoundinthe

churchesintown.SomelargeRanchoshadtheirownsmallchapelsthatcouldserve

thefamilyandneighboringcolonists.Smallwindowswithaformofglazingmadeof

seleniteormicaallowedsomelighttoenterwhilelargerwindowswithshutters

facedtheinteriorcourtyard.

• HangingblanketsandexamplesofNewMexicanweaving,whichwouldbe

broughtdownatnightforwarmthandhungduringthedayforsafekeeping.

• Woolenmattress,madefromjerga(utilitarianweaving)andstuffedwith

woolfleecearethroughouttheroomandusedforsleepingandsitting.

• Altarareawithretablos(paintingonwoodofareligiousfigure),bultos(wood

statueofreligiousfigure)andotherpersonalreligiousparaphernaliabeing

usedasaprivatedevotionalareawhichhasafinecolchaembroideredaltar

clothcoveringthetable(colchameansbedcoveringbutinthiscasecolcha

referstoNewMexicanembroidery,whichutilizesacouchingstitchcalledthe

colchastitch).Retablosarestackedandplacedinamannerthatreflectsthe

arrangementsoflargeraltarscreens.Saintsdepictedwouldhavebeenfrom

thepantheonofFranciscansaintsaswellasthosethatmightbepersonalto

thefamily.ColonialNewMexicodidnothaveanofficialPatronSaintbuta

fewofthemanyreligiousfigurescommonlyprayedtobySpanishcolonists

wereSanFranciscodeAsis(SaintFrancisofAssisi),SanPablo(SaintPaul),

SanIsidro(SaintIsidore),SantoNiñodeAtocha(HolyChildofAtocha)and

variousavocationsoftheBlessedVirginincludingNuestraSeñorade

Guadalupe(OurLadyofGuadalupe)andNuestraSeñoradelSantísimoRosario

(OurLadyoftheMostHolyRosary).

• Women’sfineclothing,suchasrebozos(shawls),wouldbestoredinchests.

• Infrontofthefireplacewomenwouldgathertodotheirwork—amalacate

(spindle)andembroideryinprocesscanbeseen.

• Asmalltableisbeingusedinthegeneralhearthareaandthefamilywould

havehadanumberofwoolenmattressesbeingusedasseatingbytheladies

ofthehouse.

• Claycandleholderswithtallowcandlesprovidelightfortheworkbeing

done.

TorreónyZaguánalTorreónTowerandTowerEntranceRoom

TorreoneswereacommonsightthroughoutNorthernNewMexicoduringthe

SpanishColonialperiod.Colonistswereresponsiblefordefendingthemselves,as

thesoldiersofthepresidio(fort)couldnotbenotifiedintimetoprotecttheirfellow

citizens.ThesetowersprovidedaplacefortheSpanishtoretreatwhileunder

attack.

Thesemultipurposestructureswerealsousedforstoringfood,water,tackand

weaponsusedinthedefenseoftheRancho.Thisparticulartorreónisbuiltintothe

Ranchocomplexbutmanywerealsoconstructedasstand-alonetowersina

strategicallydefensiblepositionofferingexpansiveviews.Ontheupperlevel,a

sentinelstoodwatchandwasreadytowarnothersofapproachingdangerbyany

meansavailableincludingblowingahorn,beatingadrum,shoutingorringingabell.

Fieldworkerswouldruntotheprotectionofthewalledplacitawhileotherswould

entertheTorreóntofightofftheenemy.Raidingwastypicallydonebyboththe

Spanishandnativetribesinordertoobtainneededsupplies,animalsandcaptives

butnotasamatterofabsoluteextermination.Attackswereusuallyoverasquickly

astheystartedandmayhaveresultedininjury,deathorcaptivity.

OnesuchattackisdocumentedastakingplaceinLaCiénegainthewritingsof

Franciscanpriest,FrayFranciscoAtanasioDominguez.OnThursdayJune20th1776,

apartyofComanchewarriorsattackedranchosinLaCiénegakillingninemenand

boysandtakingtwoyoungchildrencaptive.AntonioSandovál,theownerofEl

RanchodelasGolondrinas,losthis19yearoldsonJoseSandoválandnephew

SantiagoMascareñas,whowerekilledastheytendedcrops.Scenessuchasthis

weretypicalonthenorthernfrontierasuneasyrelationsresultedintragedieson

bothsides.

• Weaponsstoredinthetorreónincludedescopetas(Spanishmuskets),lances,

swordsandbows.Colonistswouldusewhatevertheyhadattheirdisposalto

defendthemselves.GunpowderwasconstantlyinshortsupplyfromMexico

andtheSpanishoftenusedbows,arrowsandlances.Barrelscontainedwhat

littlegunpowdertheRanchopossessed.

• Horsetackwasstoredhereaswell.Saddles,bridlesandblanketshangon

thewalls.Straps,rope,andcincheswereoftenmadefromhorsehair,which

producedsuperiorreinsaswell.

• Anaparejoisstoredhere.Aparejosarepackpadsaddlesthatgooverthe

backsofdonkeysandmulestoformthebaseofthepackingsystemand

protecttheanimalfrominjury.Largeatajos(caravans)ofpackmulesand

donkeyswouldtraveltheCaminoRealcarryinggoodsandinthe19thcentury

wouldtravelwesttoCaliforniaandnorthasfarasWyoming.Arrieros

(muleteers)wereresponsibleforpackingandtakingcareoftheanimals.

ThisentiresystemofpackingwaspassedontotheSpanishfromtheMoors

ofNorthAfricaandwasaguild-controlledprofessioninSpain.

LaDespensa/DispensaPantry

InfrequentwagontrainsfromMexico,droughtandraidsmadeitimperativetotake

rigorousmeasurestostoreandstockprovisions.Starvationwasaveryreal

possibilityandtimesoffaminewouldstalkthefledglingcolony.Wildgamewasan

indispensablesourceofprotein.Largeflocksofsheepwereimportantforsurvival

andforrevenue.Corn,beansandsquashprovidedthemostimportantfoodstuffs

andthesewerestoredingreatabundancebythecolonistandguardedinthe

Despensa(pantry)frombothpestsandhumansalike.Preservationoffoodwas

limitedtosalting,smokinganddrying—canningwastocomemuchlater.Seed

storagewasanothersignificantusefortheDespensa.ColonistsinNewMexico

wouldlooktotheirPuebloneighborswhentheyhadfailedtoadequatelyharvest

sufficientquantitiesoffood.Thesesupplieswereeitheracquiredthroughthe

encomiendasystem(mandatorytributeandlabor)ortakenbyoutrightforce,which

oftenresultedinstarvationforthePueblos.

• Driedfoodsuchaschileandcornarestoredhere.Theyareboth

hangingasristrasandpiledintosacks.

• Containersofseedsarestoredhereandusedforplantinginthe

spring.SeedsavingwasanimportantaspectofSpanishColonial

agriculture.Thefinestspecimensofvegetableswouldhavebeen

selected,driedandtheseedsremoved.

• Thisroomalsoservesasthestoragespaceforagricultural

implementsofthefieldsuchasrakes,diggingsticks,hoes,andsifters

forgrain.

• Measuringcontainersforgrains:fanega,almudandcuartilla.Afanega

constitutedthestandardSpanishvolumetricunitfordry

measurement.Afanegaofdrycornwasequivalenttoapproximately

100poundsofgrainor1.5bushels.Analmudisone-quarterofa

fanega.Thecuartillais1/12thofanalmudand1/48thofafanega.

• Barrelsareinthisroomforfoodstoragesuchasdriedgrainsand

saltedmeat.Thebasketswouldhavebeenusedforgatheringfruits

andharvestingvegetables.

• Driedfruitsandvegetablescouldincludeapricots,peaches,apples

raisins,peas,beans,onionsandgarlic,alsomelonandsquash—such

aswatermelon,andpumpkin.

• Freshvegetablesincludetomatoes,cabbage,onion,lettuce,radishes.

• Driedgrains—cornandwheatarestoredintheharineros(grain

chestsorbins).

• Glassandpotteryvesselsareforthestorageofoils,wine,brandy,

vinegar,andtallow.

• Luxurygoodsandfoodstuffssuchasolives,chocolate,sugarand

tobaccowouldbestoredhereforsafekeeping.

• Driedandcuringmeatssuchasvenison,sheepandbuffalowould

hangfromthevigas.

• Driedherbshangfrompolesandmaterialsforfoodpreservationsuch

assaltarekeptdryhere.

TalleresdeHilaryTejerWeavingandSpinningRooms

In1540,thefirstsheepwerebroughttoNewMexicowithFranciscoVasquez

Coronado’sexpedition.Theyweredrivenalongwiththeexpeditionandusedto

feedthesoldiersduringtheirtwo-yearexplorationoftheSouthwest.Withthe

SpanishcolonizationofNewMexicoin1598,sheepwereutilizedasmorethanjust

food.HerdsofchurrosheepwerebroughtnorthfromMexicoandraisedonthe

plainsofthenorthernfrontierfortheirwool.Weaversknowledgeableintreadle

loomsanddyeingproducedfinishedproductsthatsustainedthecolony.By1638,

weavingappearstohavedevelopedbeyondlocalconsumptionasNewMexico

GovernorLuisdeRosawasproducingwoolengoodsinSantaFeworkshopsfor

tradewiththerestofNewSpainformuchneededgoods.PuebloIndiansalready

hadatraditionofgrowing,spinningandweavingcotton.Intheearly17thcentury,

PuebloslearnedhowtousewoolfromtheSpanishwhilestillusingtheirtraditional

uprightlooms.WoolquicklybecameintegraltoPuebloweavingtraditionsthatwas

laterpassedontotheNavajo.Asflocksgrewthesheepthemselves,which

flourishedontheNewMexicoplains,weredrivensouthforbarterandsale.Flocks

continuedtogrowinthefollowingcenturies,asdidtheproductionofwooland

woolengoods.AuthoritiesinNewSpainrecognizedtheimportanceofthesheep

tradeandwoolproductiontoNewMexico’seconomy.Themarketwasgreatly

expandedwithMexicanIndependencein1821andtheopeningoftheSantaFeTrail

thatsameyear.By1840,itwasreportedthat20,000RioGrandeblanketsweresold

inMexico.TradewithCaliforniaofferedanevengreaterboostaswool,woven

goodsandsheepmadetheirwayfromNewMexicototheWestCoast.In1853,Kit

Carsondrove6,500sheepfromTaostoSacramento.Bytheearly20thcentury,the

sheepandwoolindustryhaddeclinedgreatlybecauseofcheapgoodsbroughtby

therailroad,overgrazingandthelossofgrazinglands.Despitethis,wovengoods

figureprominentlyinNewMexico’sculturalandartisticheritagetoday.

ThesethreeroomsshowhowtheSpanishcolonistscarded,spunandwovewoolto

makerugsforthefloor,blanketsforthebedandhorsesandclothingincluding

serapes(blanketsorshawlswornbymen)andrebozos(shawlswornbywomen).

Wool,wovengoodsandsheepwerethemostimportantcommodityandexportfrom

NewMexicobesidesslaves.Woolcouldbeleftasitsnaturalcolororpreparedwith

naturaldyes.Dyestuffsweretypicallygrownontheranchbutbrilliantbluessuchas

indigoandrichredssuchascochinealwereimportedfromMexicoontheCamino

Real.

• Theloomsareallcontemporaryorreproductionsandonlythelargefour-

harnessbeamloomisanaccuratereproductionofaRioGrandeloom.These

loomsweremultipleharness“walking”beamlooms,meaningthatthe

weaverstoodwhileweavingandoperatingthetreadles,essentially“walking”

onthetreadles.

• Spinningwasalmostexclusivelydonebymalacate(spindle).Theweightsor

whorlsforthesespindleswereoftenfashionedfrombrokenpottery.A

varietyofspinningtechniqueswereemployedincludingthedropmethod

whichcouldbedonewhilewalkingorstanding,thethighmethodwhichwas

donewhilesittingandalsothemethodofusingabowltosupportthespindle

whichwasalsodonewhileseated.Therewasacertainpracticalitytousing

malacatesinthattheywereeasilytransportableandcouldbeused

anywhere.Itisinterestingtonotethatcardingandspinningwastypically

donebywomenandcaptives,whileweavingwaspredominantlydoneby

men.

• Therewereruecas(spinningwheels)buttheseweremuchlesscommondue

totheirexpense,sizeandthematerialandtoolsrequiredtomakethem.The

ruecaseenintheSpinningRoomisacontemporarydescendentofthe

SpanishcolonialruecaandisstillusedinMexicotoday.Characteristictraits

ofthistypeofruecaareahorizontalbenchandsmallwheelturnedbya

handleattachedtoitscenter.ThiswasquitedifferentfromtheScottish

walkingwheelsthathaveasteeplyangledbenchandalargewheelastallas

theoperator.

• Othertoolsoftheweaverincludeweavingbattenstoseparatethewarpshed

andfacilitateaddingyarntotheweftpattern.Shuttleswhichholdyardand

areshapedtoeasilyslidethroughtheshedsofyarnwhenoperatingatreadle

loom.Cardingcombsusedtoseparatewoolfibersinpreparationfor

spinning.Skeinwindersusedforpreparingandmeasuringspunwoolin

preparationforweavingorsale.

ElCuartodelosCautivosylosCriados

TheCaptives’andServants’Room

Thehistoryofslavery,captivity,peonageandservitudeinNewMexicoisalongand

difficultstory.Theearliestyearsofthecolony’shistoryinvolvedasystemcalled

encomienda,ademandfortributegoodsandlaborusedthroughoutthecolonial

world.Giventheespeciallyharshconditionsoflifeonthefarnorthernfrontierof

NewMexico,theencomiendaalongwithdiseaseandotherabusesledtothePueblo

Revoltof1680.Theencomiendasystemwaseventuallyabandonedafterthereturn

ofSpanishcolonistsunderDonDiegodeVargas,howeversomeaspectsofthe

tributesystemcontinued.Againstthisbackdrop,therewasalsothewidespread

practiceofraidingandstealingofhumans—especiallywomenandchildren—being

practicedbymanytribalgroupsandthecolonists.Thegreatvalueofthishuman

capitalcanbeparsedfromtradereportscitingslavessoldinMexicoproperand

thosesoldwerehighpricedcommodities.Oneofthetermsgivenforthosewho

wereseparatedfromtheirtribeswasgenízaro(detribalizedNativeAmericans).By

someestimatesalmostone-thirdofthepopulationoftheareaconsistedofpeople

withsomeformofmixedancestryand/orseparationfromtheiroriginalpeople

throughcaptivity,slaveryandpeonage.InourprosperousRanchoitislikelythat

captiveswerepurchasedthroughbarterandthen“rescued”inafictiveformof

salvationcalledrescatewherecaptiveswerebaptizedbythechurchand“saved”by

theirownersthusavoidingthelawsthatforbadeslavery.Thelivesofthese

individualswereverymuchdependentontheluckofthedraw—theycouldbeused

harshlyorbroughtintothefamilyinamodestwaybutstilltheirlaborandcarewas

atthediscretionoftheirowners.Eventhoughthecolonywasfarfromcentersof

power,thiswasahighlystratifiedsocietywhereservantsandslaveshadfewrights

whilevecinos(citizens)andthehighestlevels—theDonsandDoñas(honorific

titles)—weregivenaccesstolegalandeconomicbenefits.Unlikethechattelsystem

ofslaveryintheAmericanSouth,thechildrenofthiscolony’sslavescouldmake

theirwayintheworldandextraordinaryindividualswereknowntohavebartered

theirabilitiestobecomeprosperousandwell-regarded.Intime,throughavenues

suchastherescateandotherkinshipalliances,tribalandmixedheritageindividuals

becamepartoftheoverallpopulationandtheirpasthidden—insimilarfashionto

cryptoJews.FewoftheslavesorpeonsofthiscolonywereofAfricanheritage.In

termsofmarriage,“Captiveshadlimitedopportunitiestoachievesociallyapproved

marriages…theoretically,acaptivegainedfreedombymarrying.Thisnaturallygave

ownersstrongmotivationforpreventingmarriage.Infactthesmallnumberof

marriagesthatoccurredshowshowsuccessfulownerswereatpreventingmarriage.

Whatformalcontrolownershadinthismatterisnotknown,butwhatever

pressurestheybroughttobearwereeffective.Socialattitudeswereperhapsof

importanceandthestigmaofmarryingacaptivemayhavebeenenoughto

discouragethesemarriages.”(Brugge,“NavajosintheCatholicChurchRecordsof

NewMexico1694-1875”,p.117,125).ServantsandpeonscouldbefellowSpanish

colonists.Menservinginthemilitia,withnootheroption,oftenresortedtoselling

theirchildrenintopeonageinordertoaffordtoequipthemselvesfortherequired

termofservice.Aslateas1868,theUnitedStatesgovernmentformallyfreedwell

over300individualsfrompeonageandslaveryinNewMexico.Humantraffickingin

NewMexicowasintense,wentonforcenturies,andhadaprofoundeffectuponall

levelsofthepopulation.

AttheRancho,theservantsandslaveswouldhavelikelysleptinthekitchenorin

theirworkingquarters.InthecaptivesroomyouseethatawomanofNavajo

originsisusingherknowledgeofweavingtomaketextilesthatcouldbebartered

forothergoods.Otherwomenandchildrenwouldsharethisroomwithher.Their

sleeping/workingquartersarenotmarkedlydifferentfromthoseoftherestofthe

familybutallthatyouseewouldhavebelongedtotheownerfamilyandnottothe

peonorslave.Ingeneralthisroomhasfewobjectsofcomfortandvalueindicating

thestatusoftheindividualswhoresidehere.

Thelargebasket-likecratesalongthebackwallareholdingrawwooltobecarded

orspun.ThesetypesofcrateswerecommoninNewSpainandwouldhavecomeup

theCaminoRealtoNewMexicoloadedwithgoodsonacaravan.Insteadof

disposingofthemthecolonistswouldhaverepurposedthemasyouseehere.Other

workthatmaybedoneinthisroomisthecardingandspinningofwool.Grinding

wouldhavebeendoneusingthemanoandmetatewithcornorwheatcomingfrom

theharinero.TheRanchowouldneedasmanymetatesgoingaspossibleandthe

preparedgrainwouldbeaddedtowhatwasalreadygroundinthekitchen.

• Openbasket-likeboxesorcratesareusedtostoretherawmaterialsofthe

weaver.

• Likeotherrooms,theservantsorslaveshavearolledjergamattressthatis

usedforbothsleepingandsitting.

• Thetextileontheuprightloomisbeingmadeusingthetechniquesand

designsofearlyNavajoweavings.Thistypeofverticalloomisanative

design.Evensmallerloomsofsimilardesignwereportableandareknown

asback-straplooms.

• NavajorugsandHispanicweavingsaredisplayedonhangingpoles.These

wouldbepulleddownatnightforbeddingorusedduringthedayforseating.

• Asmallfireplaceprovideswarmthandlight.

• Amanoandmetateintheroomwouldbeusedbythecaptiveorother

servants,spendingmuchoftheirtimepreparingcornmealorwheatflour.

• Storageofgrainadjacentintheharinerowasaconvenienceforthewoman

workingatthemetate.

• Theonlylightsourcefortheworkerswouldhavebeendaylightthroughthe

opendoororthelightofthefireatnight.Precioustallowcandlesoroil

lampswouldhavebeenreservedfortheuseoftheRanchoowner’sfamily.