Join us in Taos, New Mexico, for a 3-day, 3-night excursion, November 11 – 14, 2021! We’ll explore the beautiful mountain town and the best of its historic and arts offerings, while learning about Cather’s time in New Mexico. We’ll discuss and share from Cather’s Death Comes for the Archbishop and The Professor’s House, as well as a host of selected outside readings, in addition to touring the Father Martinez Hacienda and Taos Pueblo, the Fechin House and the Millicent Rogers museum and more; our time together will be hosted by the Mabel Dodge Luhan House, where Cather herself was a guest.

Taos has long been considered a nexus of countercultural thought, even before the term was coined in the 1960s. When Mabel Dodge settled in Taos and began to invite her friends and artists from the East in 1918, she did so with the idea of establishing not just an artists’ colony but a completely different lifestyle. Later, her house would be purchased by Dennis Hopper, who had his own vision of the counterculture lifestyle. “Willa Cather and the Counterculture” explores Cather’s relationship with Taos and its resident artists—both good and bad—alongside the artists’ relationship with the Taos area itself.

We recommend you visit the Mabel Dodge Luhan House website for more information about their rooms; we will likely be utilizing the main house and the Juniper House. Our staff will make room assignments based, as much as possible, on accessibility needs and preference of those enrolled. It's important to note that, as at many historic sites, there are steps in and around the shared spaces and uneven walking surfaces; if you have concerns about accessibility, please contact Tracy Tucker at the address below prior to registering. 

As a retreat-style historic property, MDLH has no televisions, telephones, or Wi-Fi in individual rooms. Wi-Fi can be accessed from the lobby and dining room of the Main House. For more information about the house, please consult the Mabel Dodge Luhan House website.

This event will be limited to thirty guests based on house capacity, so plan to register early!
Registrations will close October 10, 2021!

For questions about the program, please contact education director Tracy Tucker at ttucker@willacather.org.