The late artist Maurice Turetsky created two statues of Billy Kid for New Mexico Historic Sites. A metal statue of Billy the Kid created by artist Maurice Turetsky stands at Lincoln Historic Site and also Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site. Photo by Tira Howard Photography.

NMHS News:

New Mexico Historic Sites unveiled a new statue of Billy the Kid this morning at Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner during the historic site’s Fiber Fair.

The statue was made by the late artist Maurice Turetsky (1925-2018), who sculpted the tribute to one of the most well-known gun slingers in New Mexico’s history. Having arrived in New Mexico in 1995, the professional artist became interested in Billy the Kid and eventually became the leading artist in the Southwest on the infamous character.

Special guests Michelle Gallagher Roberts, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Cultural Affairs; Mary Ann Cortese, President of the Friends of Bosque Redondo Memorial and Vice President of the Museum of New Mexico Board of Regents; and Susan Turetsky, the artist’s widow, will say a few words at the dedication.

The new sculpture was funded through New Mexico Arts’ Art in Public Places program, which enriches New Mexico’s communities through innovative and diverse public art.

While Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner is known for its history as an internment camp for the Diné and Ndé people, it also has a later connection with Billy the Kid, who was shot and died at the Maxwell House, once located on a section of the historic site near the Pecos River.

The Bosque Redondo Memorial Fiber Fair runs until 4 p.m. today and includes live demonstrations and hands-on wool working activities using sheared wool from the site’s flock of Navajo Churro Sheep, various activity stations, food trucks provided by the Friends of Bosque Redondo Memorial and more.

Admission to the Fiber Fair is $7 per adult and free to children 16 years and younger. Admission is also free to Indigenous People, the Friends of the Bosque Redondo Memorial and Museum of New Mexico Foundation members. Learn more about the Fiber Fair at nmhistoricsites.org/bosque-redondo.

About Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site:

The Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site delivers visitors into the heart of history and tragedy. In 1863, some 10,000 Navajos were forced to make the “Long Walk” 450 miles across New Mexico to the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation, or H’weeldi, meaning place of suffering. Hundreds of Ndé were also interned there. Bosque Redondo Memorial was created in 2005 and revitalized in 2021 with strong support from the Diné and Ndé and designed by Diné architect David Sloan in the shape of a hogan and tepee. The permanent interpretive exhibition features evolving interactives, an interpretive trail, and programs for visitors.