Winter of the Metal People

Event Description

Dennis Herrick became interested in the Coronado expedition when he moved to Rivers Edge III, Rio Rancho, in 2001. He soon learned that in the 1540s, Coronado kept his military headquarters for two winters at Santiago Pueblo, the original site a short walk from his house, and that Coronado fought America's first-named Indian war, the Tiguex War, against the Tiwa Puebloans throughout this area.  Dennis is the author of the historical novel, Winter of the Metal People, the first devoted to the Tiguex War.  Join us for an entertaining afternoon as Dennis shares his research and dispels some myths about America’s first, but least known, Indian war - and it happened right here!

Dennis has a strong background in journalism and reporting:  He was a reporter for a Michigan daily for about ten years.  He was chief of staff for a congressman for eight; he and his wife Bea owned a weekly newspaper in Iowa for 12 years.  Dennis and his family moved to Rio Rancho when he joined the journalism faculty at UNM in 2001.  Dennis retired in July after ten years in academia, and understandably, wants to continue to share his new-found interest in the history of our area.