Joyce Shumate
On July 21 the Let’s Travel Club presenter will be Mauro Trejo, a 7th-generation Tucsonan descending from Elias and Gallegos Trejo. Mauro is passionate about local history and has poured over the Tucson “classics.” Before becoming a Presidio Trust Board Member, he volunteered as a docent and Turquoise Trail tour guide. He is one of Presidio’s most knowledgeable guides and presenters.
The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum is a re-creation of the Tucson Presidio built in 1775. Visitors travel back in time to learn about life as early Tucsonans would have lived it. Docent tours discuss life in the Santa Cruz Valley for early Native Americans, Presidio residents, and territorial period settlers. See the archaeological remains of a pit house, walk along the original Presidio wall, and experience a 150-year-old classic Sonoran row house.
Mauro’s presentation will cover a brief overview of the Santa Cruz Valley and the people who were here before the arrival of the Spaniards. He’ll cover the arrival of the Spaniards, the founding of Tucson’s Presidio, the reasons why these forts were built, the relationships between the different cultures here, the Presidio during the Mexican era, and the ultimate decline of the Presidio and how the modern city was born as the Presidio was disassembled.
Mauro will also cover the many local area walking tours the Presidio offers and leave time for a Q&A session.
If you want to learn more about the Presidio and its optional walking tours, join the Let’s Travel Club on Friday, July 21, at 2 p.m. in the Ocotillo and Mesquite Rooms at the Kino Center. The Presidio is a nonprofit organization. A free-will offering will cover the Presidio’s fee to have our guest presenter Mauro Trejo come to QC. Thank you in advance. Hope to see you there! The presentation is open to all QC residents and their guests.