On May 8, 2026, second graders at Sierra Vista Primary school in Ruidoso participated in the Wingfield Heritage House Museum’s first annual Archaeology Field Day. Museum educator, Joely Trujillo worked with second grade teacher Ysabel Nygren to organize the event.
After learning about archaeology in the classroom, students got to experience 6 different activities including sorting artifacts, making pinch pots, throwing darts with an atlatl, designing their own Mogollon petroglyph, potsherd puzzles and grid mapping, and talking with high school students who are members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe about their traditions.
The Friends of the Wingfield Heritage House Museum provided lunch for all of the great volunteers who helped with the activities. Many thanks to Amy Hoffman from Fort Stanton Historic Site, Amanda Castillo and Danielle Cadena from the Ruidoso Public Library, artist Tony Marquez, and the Friends’ own Bill Morrison. Our thanks also to the Future Teachers of America volunteers from Ruidoso High School, organized by Sara Brown. These amazing students were Ysenia, Jina, Jiya, Jewel, Jazz, Janae, Carlos, and Thomas.