"We Made History" Presidential Living Historians

(Archival Site of Prior Performances and Venues)

By Steve Ramirez sramirez@lcsun-news.com

Posted: 01/06/2012 11:33:31 PM MST

 

President William Howard Taft, portrayed by Dale Liikala, signs the... (Robin Zielinski/Sun-News)

Check out our special Centennial section for more information.

LAS CRUCES - As Voz Vaqueros began singing "O Fair New Mexico" at Friday's re-enactment ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of New Mexico's statehood, Las Crucen David Chavez smiled and broke into song himself, as the longtime singing group reached the chorus.

"It's funny that I still remember it," Chavez mused. "We sang it every day in school, right after the Pledge of Allegiance. It's funny, but nice, that I still remember all of the words, all these years later."

There was another irony during Friday's re-enactment ceremony of the day 100 years ago today that President William Howard Taft signed the proclamation making New Mexico the 47th state in the uion. State Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, D-Las Cruces, noticed there were no women among the delegation of state residents who were in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 1912 to witness Taft sign the proclamation.

It was explained by KVIA's Hiliary Floren and Jon Hunner, narrators of the program, that women weren't allowed to vote at the time of New Mexico's statehood. In those days, women in support of being allowed the right to vote wore a yellow flower as a sort of protest sign.

"I'm appalled, in a way," said Garcia, of her discovery that no women participated in the ceremony that granted New Mexico statehood because women weren't allowed to vote. "By comparison, today we have five women who represent Do-a Ana County, alone (in the state Legislature).

"We've come a long way."

A standing-room-only crowd gathered in the Tortugas Gallery of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum to watch the re-enactment ceremony. Las Cruces residents, dressed in costume, portrayed members of the New Mexico delegation that went to Washington to see Taft sign legislation in the White House's Oval Office. Taft was portrayed by Dale Liikala, an Ohio actor, who has long impersonated our 27th president.

Shortly before 11:35 a.m. Friday, the exact time 100 years ago when Taft signed the proclamation, Liikala did likewise. Afterward, he said the moment of the re-enactment was something he will remember.

"I was shaking a little, quivering, as I realized I was signing the document at the same exact moment as it happened a hundred years ago," Liikala said. "I've been portraying President Taft for a long time, but this is something I'll always remember."

As Liikala signed the document, he repeated the same words Taft said to New Mexico's delegation 100 years ago.

"I'm glad to give you life," said Liikala, echoing Taft. "I hope you will be happy."

A standing ovation then came from the large crowd.

Centennial events continue today with a parade at 11 a.m. and a Centennial Celebration at 6 p.m. at the Amador Hotel. Tickets are $50 for the celebration.

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452.

Statehood Day

•A hundred years ago Friday, a proclamation was signed by then-President William Howard Taft that made New Mexico the 47th state.

•A re-enactment ceremony was conducted at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, and a proclamation was signed shortly before 11:35 a.m., almost to the minute of the state's 100th birthday.

•Today's events include: the Centennial Parade, at 11 a.m., along a route that travels north on Church Street to the roundabout at north Main and then south on Water Street to Loretto Towne Center, where the parade originates; and a Centennial Celebration, at 6 p.m., at the Amador Hotel. Tickets for the celebration will be available at the door for $50 per person.

In a note to Debbie Weinkamer about his events in New Mexico as President William Howard Taft, Dale Liikala wrote:

The centennial events on Saturday also went perfectly!

 Everyone agreed the parade was the largest ever seen in this part of New Mexico, with more than 200 entries. Mr. Taft made his way downtown and was picked up by his driver in a 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible and taken to the parade formation area. The mass of humanity, floats, wagons, cars, tractors and horses was unbelievable!

 My car was owned and sponsored by a local restaurant and the driver was the grandson of the restaurant's founder. He made a point of dressing the part in a black jacket and driver's cap, and also had magnetic US flags that he put on the front of the car to make it look presidential (wouldn't even let them put sponsor signs on the car because it would be the "right look for the President."

 Mr. Taft was the grand marshall of the parade. We traveled about 2 blocks, then picked up Nellie at the reviewing stand and continued through the rest of the parade route. It was about two miles long and, when we got all the way back around to the staging area, the last half of the parade was still taking off. Our driver cut through back streets to get us back to the reviewing stand, where we took our places with other dignitaries. In my opinion, the high point of the parade was the entire Engineers' Brigade from White Sands marching in the parade (at least a quarter-mile of soldiers who have just been reunited following their split deployments to the Middle East and Kosovo. The cheers and applause they received was awesome.

 Following the parade, Nellie and I were escorted to the weekly Las Cruces farmers market, where we cut a birthday cake for New Mexico and for a nice little lady who was born the same year. She was just beaming at all the attention. We were later treated to lunch by one of the vendors, before going to the Branigan Culture Center for the children's story time. The program went well, but I cut it off after reading the book I had brought when I felt the children (15) were getting antsy.

 Saturday evening, Mr. Taft attended a cocktail reception (probably 200 in attendance) at the historic Amador, a building used through the years as a hotel, bank, county offices, etc. It's being restored and the downstairs is taking shape nicely. Mr. Taft was asked to say a few words, then my "split personality" took over and Dale had a chance to thank everyone for their warm hospitality.

 Whew! It's been a hectic three days, but I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Everyone really has welcomed me and Mr. Taft with open arms. The comments I've received have all been positive. Some people have even told me that having Mr. Taft in attendance at so many functions has really made this one of the most memorable events in their memories. That really made my time here seem even more worthwhile.

Below are the Press Releases and Information leading up to President Taft's appearance in New Mexico

For Immediate Release- Nov. 2011

 Branigan Cultural Center to host President Taft for family book reading and performance

 Las Cruces, NM – The Branigan Cultural Center (BCC) will commemorate the New Mexico State Centennial with a family program featuring a President William Howard Taft re-enactor on Saturday, January 7 at 2pm.

 BCC is partnering with other Centennial Celebration organizers to bring Dale Liikala, a Taft re-enactor, to Las Cruces to mark the 100^th anniversary of New Mexico’s admission to the Union by the President on January 6, 1912.

 His appearance at BCC will follow the Centennial Parade, which will commence at 10am on January 7 and proceed through downtown Las Cruces.

 At BCC, Liikala will read “The President and Mom’s Apple Pie,” a children’s book about a parade of people following Taft through the streets during a 1909 whistle-stop tour.  He will also entertain the audience in-character following the book reading.

 At 6’ 5” tall and 300 lbs., Liikala, of Mentor, Ohio, has portrayed Taft at events around the country.

 For more information on other Centennial events, visit www.mvcentennial.org.

The Branigan Cultural Center is located next to the Museum of Art at 501 N. Main Street.  Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 4:30pm; gallery admission and the Taft program are.

For more information, contact the Branigan at (575) 541-2154 or visit www.las-cruces.org/museums. 
__________________________

Contact:
Andy Albertson, Branigan Cultural Center

aalbertson@las-cruces.org, 575-541-2219

 Andrew E. Albertson
Curator of Education

Branigan Cultural Center
City of Las Cruces Museums
PO Box 20000
501 North Main Street
Las Cruces, NM 88004

Phone:  575-541-2219 / Fax:  575-541-2152