Seton Village, New Mexico

File:Christmas luminarios at Seton Village.jpg

Christmas luminarios at Seton Village, 1950s

Seton Village was an unincorporated community in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States. It grew around the 32-room "castle" built by artist, author, and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton located a few miles southeast of Santa Fe.

The village was built on 100 acres (0.4 km²) purchased by Seton. The tract eventually grew to 2500 acres (10 km²). The Village was home to the Seton Institute, including the Woodcraft League and the College of Indian Wisdom. The village has a view of the Jemez Mountains and Mount Taylor.

Seton Castle

Beginning in 1933, Seton designed and built his castle. The 32-room, 6,900 square foot (640 m²) multi-level building has a flat-roof and rough hewn stone wall exterior. The interior has oak floors and plaster walls with the ceilings supported by log rafters.

The Castle was built on a hill at an elevation of 7,000 feet (2100 m). It is designated a National Historic Landmark and a New Mexico State Cultural Property. The castle burned down while being restored in 2005. The Academy for the Love of Learning, which owns the property, has decided to preserve the castle ruins as a "contemplative garden."

Seton Village Press

At Seton's invitation, Maurice and Marceil Taylor moved their printing equipment to New Mexico in 1938 and set up the Seton Village Press. Village Press continued until 1943, when it closed because of the effects of World War II.

Seton Institute

Housed at the village, the Seton Institute provided Woodcraft and Scouting leaders with a variety of training opportunities. With the outbreak of World War II, this effort ended.

See also

• Seton Village

External links

• http://www.hometownlocator.com/City/Seton-Village-New-Mexico.cfm
• Seton Village site at the NPS
• Ernest Thompson Seton Institute
• http://www.stateparks.com/seton_village.html
• Seton Village Press