Comprehensive New Pike Exhibit in Pueblo Explores the Multi-Cultural Aspects of the Expedition

The Colorado Historical Society's El Pueblo History Museum in the city of Pueblo is the site of a unique new Pike bicentennial exhibit. “Explorer or Spy; The Pike Legacy” covers both the Spanish and American views of Pike’s expedition, and delves deeply into the conspiracy of U.S General Wilkinson and Aaron Burr—a plot that would cast doubt on Pike’s loyalty to the United States.

A four-day lecture series is scheduled from July l0 to the l3th, when Pike’s sword—one of the few surviving artifacts directly attributed to him—will be placed on display. On the anniversary of Pike’s November arrival at Pueblo, a musical anthology of Pike-era songs will be presented. READ MORE...

Pueblo To Celebrate On The Pike Expedition’s
July 15 Departure Date

Two hundred years to the day that the Pike expedition left on their epic journey, Pueblo, Colorado, will celebrate July 15 with a day of parades, living history reenactments, ceremonies featuring units of today’s Army, an authentic chuckwagon dinner, historical music performances, and a community concert featuring the Pueblo Municipal Band. Centered around Pueblo’s Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, visitors will be able to stroll through the camps of the Pike expedition, a detachment of mounted Spanish lancers sent out to find him, and Pawnee Indians. The 10:00 a.m. parade will feature Pike family descendants as the Grand Marshals, the Army Corps of Engineers reenactment corps, Fort Carson soldiers, Frazer Brothers Spanish Lancers, and the Westernaires precision equestrian group, well as the Army’s renowned Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Continental Color Guard. After the parade, visitors can honor returning troops with Operation Tribute to Freedom. The day will also feature food, music, and a free evening community concert by the Pueblo Municipal Band. For a full schedule of events, click here.

Soldiers comprised almost the entire Pike expedition, and to honor them, the U.S. Army has sent two of its most historic units to Pueblo for the event. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is the only unit of its kind in the armed forces.

The unit, created in 1960 and assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) at Fort Myer, Va., has steadily grown in reputation. As an official representative of the U.S. Army, the Fife and Drum Corps averages nearly 500 performances annually. They perform at all White House full honor arrival ceremonies and presidential inaugurals, as well as such diverse venues as NFL halftime shows and the Daytona 500.

The 69-member Corps uses 11-hole fifes, hand-made rope-tensioned drums and single valve bugles — all patterned after instruments used during the late 1700s. The marching strength of the unit is normally 21 Soldiers and a Drum Major.

The music played by the Corps has been carefully researched from original 18th century documents to ensure authenticity. The Corps thrills audiences with tunes such as “Washington’s Artillery March,” “Downfall of Paris,” “Duke of York’s March” and “Yankee Doodle.” Additionally, the Corps’ performances include a breathtaking drum solo that is a real show of professional dexterity. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is America in retrospect — rekindling the "Spirit of '76" in today's Army.

With a heritage that traces back to the early days of our nation, the Continental Color Guard is a tradition in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

The stated purpose of the unit and its dress was "to recall to the mind of every member of the 3rd Infantry the long and honorable history of the regiment ..." from a period which followed closely upon the Revolutionary War. The Continental Color Guard team serves the same function today. The five-man team comprises two armed guards flanking three color ensigns who carry the National Color, the U.S. Army Color and the Color of their parent unit, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

The Army color bears 172 campaign streamers, representing every campaign in which the Army has participated. The 3rd Infantry Regiment color bears 54 campaign streamers — earned by the unit's participation in major U.S. conflicts — and the Meritorious Unit Citation and two Superior Unit Awards. The uniforms worn by the Color Guard are replicas of the 1784 uniforms worn by The Old Guard's predecessor, the 1st Infantry Regiment.

The Continental Color Guard has performed in such notable events as the inaugurations of presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton, in Olympics and the Super Bowl.

Many of the day’s activities will be located in downtown Pueblo at the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk (HARP). The Riverwalk is a 26-acre urban waterfront experience located located on the Front Range corridor of I-25. The HARP brings the Arkansas River to the historic channel that flows through the center of Pueblo. The HARP integrates the power of water with trails, sidewalk cafes, commercial and retail development opportunities, and public spaces for art and entertainment.