Fred Harvey History Weekend 2023

New Mexico History Museum
Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29

Join us in Santa Fe, or online, for a weekend of engaging talks and presentations at the New Mexico History Museum (NMHM). Also enjoy our delicious Foodie Dinner and Auction at La Fonda on the Plaza, including the new FredHead Reception. All net proceeds benefit the New Mexico History Museum.

We are selling both individual event tickets through Eventbrite, and sponsorships that include tickets to multiple events.

Harvey History Lectures, NMHM Auditorium

Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 , 12 to 5 p.m. both days

This is our 14th year of presenting a wonderful lineup of Harvey-themed lectures. In-person tickets are $50 for the series, $25 for online, or complimentary with a sponsorship.

Scheduled Lectures include:

Friday, October 27

• 12:30 PM Welcome, Billy Garrett, Executive Director New Mexico History Museum
• 12:45: “State of the Fred Harvey Union 2023” Stephen Fried, author of Fred Harvey bio Appetite for America, with a Harvey History overview, update on FredHead activities, and a guide to the weekend
• 2:00: “Vivas Las Vegas: The Many Lives of Fred Harvey and the ATSF in LVNM” Matthew Kluge, architectural and rail historian, looks deeply into the three unique incarnations of Fred Harvey in Las Vegas, New Mexico’s fabled entry point from the east; the third in Matt’s beloved series of deep dives on the most important NM locations of the railroad and the Harveys.
• 3:10-3:25 Break
• 3:30: “Dr. Barnes Discovers (and Devours) the Native Art of the Southwest” Lucy Fowler Williams, University of Pennsylvania Museum curator, tells the story of the amazing SW art-collecting adventures of Dr. Albert Barnes in the early 1930s (after creating the world’s greatest private collection of modern art), and his fascinating relationships with Native artists and legendary NM figures–and shows us his stunning treasures. Followed by a signing of her gorgeous exhibit book Water, Wind, Breath: Southwest Native Art in Community (possibly with some of the other local artists involved with the book)
• 4:30 book signing for Harvey Weekend authors in NMHM lobby: copies of books by Lucy Fowler Williams, Richard Luckin and Stephen Fried available for signature
  Museum doors close at 5:00 PM, reopen at 6:30 for FredHead Reception

Saturday, October 28

• 12:30: “Allan Affeldt’s Restoration News” the latest on architectural and historical preservation of Fred Harvey & ATSF buildings across the west, including news about Casa del Desierto in Barstow, CA (restored, but now exploring new uses) and the Del Rio AZ Harvey Farm (the plight of which we highlighted in 2019, and now it’s being saved) and updates on the Gran Quivera in Clovis, Castaneda in Las Vegas and the new museum at La Posada in Winslow
• 1:30 “Harvey Girls’ Life & Style” Bonnie Hansen, fashion and social historian, explores the interior lives of Harvey Girls, and the history of their famous uniforms
• 2:30-2:45 break
• 2:45 introduction of this year’s Steve Wimmer SW History Research Prize
• 2:55: “Detourists Delight” Kathleen Dull, librarian at Fray Angelico Chavez Library, reports on “new” discoveries of supposedly long-long research materials (some found by a SF docent in Laramie, WY) on the Southwest Indian Detours. Meet the second generation of Harvey Girls, the Detours Couriers, who revolutionized tourism in the SW.
• 3:50: Exclusive preview of new PBS film “The Railroad Station in American Life” Richard Luckin, director of the file, which features Santa Fe-based actor Michael Gross, and features historic and behind-the-scenes footage at the ATSF/Fred Harvey union stations in Los Angeles, Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago, and many others
• 6:00 Doors open at La Fonda for Fred Harvey Foodie Dinner

FredHead Reception

Friday, October 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m. New Mexico History Museum

New this year is a FredHead Reception in the New Mexico History Museum. Enjoy Harvey-inspired refreshments and socializing with fellow FredHeads. Tickets are $35 per person or complimentary for all sponsors. (As a special gift during this event, sponsors will receive a limited-edition Harvey-themed Palace Press broadside.)

Fred Harvey Foodie Dinner & Auction

Saturday, October 28, 6 p.m. Lumpkins Ballroom at La Fonda on the Plaza

The Foodie Dinner and Auction at La Fonda has become the highlight of the weekend. Individual tickets are $150 or complimentary with a sponsorship. This historically delicious dinner is the primary fundraiser for the weekend for the New Mexico History Museum. Don’t miss this event!

There will be a cocktail hour, followed by a four-course dinner prepared by top Santa Fe chefs, and chef/MC “Johnny Vee” Vollertson with dishes inspired by the Fred Harvey Company cuisine. All attendees will receive a special gift from Mimbreno China – designed by Mary Colter and replicated (and donated) by HF Coors – in a commemorative box.

Dinner is followed by a fundraising auction for the New Mexico History Museum, featuring unique items for those interested in Southwestern culture, railroad history, foodie history and Fred Harvey.

You may request who you sit with. We will soon reveal this year’s chefs and menu, and our special Mimbreno gift! Fred Harvey History Weekend corporate sponsor is La Fonda on the Plaza. Wines donated by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of New Mexico.

Begin or end the weekend with a screening of “The Harvey Girls”

Thursday, October 26 , 3 p.m. or Sunday, October 29, 11 a.m., NMHM Auditorium

Free with museum entrance or any ticket purchased for the weekend.

Consider Becoming a Sponsor – Including Foodie Dinner Table Sponsorships!

This year we are introducing special sponsorship opportunities (including Table Sponsorships for you and your friends or family!) to enhance your experience of the Fred Harvey History Weekend 2023. All sponsorships will support exhibitions and education programs at the New Mexico History Museum. If you don’t need all of the tickets for your sponsorship, please consider donating some of the tickets to help cover comp tickets for volunteers.

To become a sponsor of the Fred Harvey History Weekend 2023, please use the webform or contact Asya G. Beardsley, Director of Leadership Giving for the New Mexico History Museum at Asya@museumfoundation.org.

Ancillary Events in other New Mexico Fred Harvey/Santa Fe Railway Towns

There are also fun ancillary events for the Fred Harvey History weekend. Sunday, in Las Vegas, NM where there will be tours of restored Harvey buildings, a lecture, and a private Fred Harvey-themed dinner at Kin at Castaneda, and a farewell breakfast the next morning.

Accommodations

Visiting FredHeads will want to have hotel rooms booked in Santa Fe starting either 10/26 or 10/27-10/28, and for the ancillary events a room in Las Vegas on 10/29.

Discounted blocks of hotel rooms at La Fonda on the Plaza (for $199) and at the Old Santa Fe Inn (for $179.) You can call either hotel and ask for a reservation in the Fred Harvey Weekend block. For the special weekend discount code for La Fonda reservations, you will receive a link upon purchasing any in-person ticket.

More details about hotel accommodations for Las Vegas events are available at 505.425.3591.

Questions about Fred Harvey Weekend? Email us at: Kelly.Beaudoin@dca.nm.gov

May Fred be with you!