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Bent's Old Fort National Historic Sitefourth of July parade
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Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
For Teachers
 
Children working with the craftsmen.
NPS Photo
Children working with the craftsmen around the fire.
 

The history of Bent’s Old Fort, encompassing the interaction among diverse cultures, including American Indian peoples, along the borderlands of Mexico and the United States, provides an opportunity to explore ideas of security, sovereignty, and culture in the American West. This isolated trading post and its company stores in Santa Fe and Taos, brought the Plains and Pueblo Indians, Mexicans, and Americans together for trade. Business, family, and political relationships developed that forever changed their lives. The interpretive tours and demonstrations relate well to Colorado State teaching standards for history providing fine examples of historical relationships and inquiry, societal changes, economic systems, and social processes and how they shaped populations. 

 

Bookstore video
Bookstore
History of Bent's Fort video and activity cards available at bookstore.
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Topographical Engineers at Work
Educator's Living History Encampment Training
Re-certification credit availiable for completing the 4 day, 3 night Living History Encampment. PDF
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Wagon on the Santa Fe Trail  

Did You Know?
Bent’s Fort was the only place on the Santa Fe Trail where wagons could be repaired and supplies replenished. Typically it would take 50 to 60 days or more for ox drawn wagons to make the 600 mile journey from Missouri. It would still be another month of travel before they reached Santa Fe.

Last Updated: February 15, 2007 at 12:13 EST