NPS - National Park Service

02/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/18/2026 11:06

Padre Martinez: Patriot, Villain, or Scapegoat

Date:
February 17, 2026
Contact: Jake Koch, 719-383-5010
Contact: Mario Medina, 719-383-5010

La Junta, CO - Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site announces a special presentation for Friday, February 27th, 2026, as part of its "Stories from the Borderlands" program series. This presentation will be offered at 2:00 p.m. in the Ed Stafford Theater at Otero College.

This free program will discuss Padre Martinez, an important figure in New Mexico history who was a contemporary and rival of Charles Bent. The program will be presented by park staff in conjunction with guest speaker Paul Espinosa, a documentary filmmaker currently working on a project about the life of Padre Martinez.

For additional information and updates about upcoming programs, please visit the park's web page at www.nps.gov/beol or follow us on Facebookfor additional information about the park. Please see Status of the Reconstructed Fort for current information on the structure.


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