On this 2.5-hour walking tour, we’ll explore how author Willa Cather was inspired to write her "best book" (her words), "Death Comes for the Archbishop" by retracing her steps through Santa Fe in 1925 and 1926. Our walking route covers about 1.5 miles, mostly on sidewalks, but also climbs a hill to the Cross of the Martyrs with its outstanding view of the city below. During our time together, we'll explore aspects of the novel, such as Kit Carson, Padre Antonio José Martínez, and of course Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy, New Mexico's first Catholic archbishop and the real-life inspiration for the fictional Bishop Latour in Cather's book. We will learn about Sister Blandina Segale who helped set up a hospital in Lamy's house, and visit the last remnant of Lamy's six-acre garden behind the St. Francis Cathedral in the peaceful Stations of the Cross Prayer Garden.
- Cover more ground in Central Park without getting footsore
- Delve into the park’s history and landmarks with guide commentary
- Snap photos of the most famous sights in the park as you zip by
- Choose a tour time that suits your New York City sightseeing plan
What To Expect
Santa Fe Plaza
We’ll gather at the Plaza opposite La Fonda, the hotel where Cather and her partner Edith Lewis stayed during their visits. Cather has become an LGBTQ+ icon since the publication of her letters in 2013, and during this experience we will read from her letters, interviews, and articles, in addition to seeing historic footage of Santa Fe.
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Cross of the Martyrs
We explore Cather’s inspiration to write “Death Comes for the Archbishop” through several readings from her articles, interviews, and letters.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
We conclude our tour at Lamy statue in front of the St. Francis Cathedral, which Cather wrote helped inspire her to write the novel.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Highlight
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Max group – 15
