D. H. Lawrence Ranch facts for kids
|
D. H. Lawrence Ranch Historic District
|
|
Inside the Lawrence Memorial, showing the stone with D.H.L.'s initials.
|
|
 Location in New Mexico
|
|
| Nearest city | San Cristobal, New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | John Craig; et al. |
| Architectural style | Log cabins |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001410 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | January 15, 2004 |
The D. H. Lawrence Ranch was the New Mexico home of the famous English writer D. H. Lawrence. He lived there for about two years in the 1920s. This ranch was the only property Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, ever owned together.
The ranch covers about 160 acres (65 hectares). It was first called the Kiowa Ranch. You can find it about 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Taos, New Mexico. It is near Lobo Mountain and San Cristobal in Taos County. The ranch sits high up, about 8,600 feet (2,621 meters) above sea level. You can reach the ranch gate by driving 4.2 miles from a historic marker on state route NM 522.
A woman named Mabel Dodge Luhan briefly owned the ranch. However, people had lived there before her. Several buildings on the property date back to the 1890s. In 1924, Mabel gave the ranch to Frieda Lawrence. D. H. Lawrence himself had said no to the gift. The ranch became the couple's summer home. After Lawrence's death, it was Frieda's home until she passed away in 1956. She then left the ranch to the University of New Mexico. The ranch is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. The ranch was closed for repairs from 2008 to 2014. It reopened to visitors in March 2015.
Contents
D. H. Lawrence's Time in New Mexico
D. H. Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, were invited to New Mexico in 1921. The invitation came from Mabel Dodge Sterne. She was a wealthy host and supporter of the arts. Mabel lived in Taos and later married Tony Lujan, a Native American from Taos Pueblo. She became Mabel Dodge Luhan in 1923. Lawrence and Frieda traveled a long way, through Australia and San Francisco. They arrived in Taos in mid-September 1922.
The Lawrences had some disagreements with Mabel and Tony. They moved to different guest houses. In March 1923, Lawrence and Frieda went to Mexico. Frieda then returned to Europe. Lawrence, though not wanting to, sailed back to England in November. In London, he tried to get friends to return to Taos with him. Only one person, Dorothy Brett, an artist, joined him.
Lawrence, Frieda, and Dorothy Brett arrived in Taos in March 1924. They were again guests of Mabel. More tensions arose. To keep Lawrence in New Mexico, Mabel offered him the Kiowa Ranch. It was about 20 miles from Taos. Lawrence refused, saying he could not accept such a gift. However, Frieda accepted it. She told Lawrence they would give Mabel the manuscript of his novel, Sons and Lovers. The ranch deed was put in Frieda's name.
The couple spent a short time at the ranch. Yet, it was the only property they ever owned. It became a place for them to rest and relax. Lawrence wrote much of his novel St Mawr there. He also started The Plumed Serpent during five months in the summer of 1924. The famous writer Aldous Huxley also visited the Lawrences at the ranch.
By October 1924, Lawrence and Frieda left for Mexico. While in Oaxaca, Lawrence was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The couple returned to the U.S. By April 1925, they were back at the ranch for the summer. Lawrence continued working on The Plumed Serpent. His health improved, but their six-month visa was ending. Lawrence wanted to return to Europe. They left Taos on September 11, Lawrence's 40th birthday. They settled in Italy.
Lawrence never returned to New Mexico. But in a letter from France in December 1929, he thought about it. He wrote that he might try to come back in the spring. He felt he might not get well in Europe. However, D. H. Lawrence died in France on March 2, 1930. He was buried near Vence. In 1935, Frieda asked for his remains to be moved. His body was cremated. His ashes were brought to the ranch by Angelo Ravagli, Frieda's future husband. The plan was to bury them there.
The Lawrence Memorial
After Lawrence's death, Frieda returned to the ranch. She lived there with Angelo Ravagli. He built the white memorial building in 1934. It is 12 feet by 15 feet.
There is some debate about what happened to Lawrence's ashes. But most people agree they were brought to New Mexico. They were then mixed with concrete. This mixture formed part of a large memorial stone. This stone was placed in a small covered building on the ranch. This building is now known as the Lawrence Memorial. Some people used to call it a "shrine."
Frieda died in Taos in 1956. She was buried on the ranch property. She left the ranch to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The university owns it today. The UNM D. H. Lawrence Ranch Initiatives manages the ranch. Frieda's grave is just outside the Memorial building. You can see it on the left in the picture.
Visitors can sign a guest book at the memorial. This lets them see who else has visited and where they came from. For example, in Spring 1979, the guest book showed the signature of English novelist "Iris Murdoch, Oxford, England."
The UNM D. H. Lawrence Ranch Initiatives started in late 2014. Their goal is to protect the history of D. H. Lawrence and Frieda Lawrence. They want to make sure the ranch has enough money to operate. They also want to fix up the site. This way, it can be used for learning, cultural events, and research. This helps students, teachers, and the New Mexico community. This mission follows Frieda Lawrence's wishes. She wanted the property used for "educational, cultural, charitable, and recreational purposes."
Rananim is an online writing community. It is part of the D. H. Lawrence Ranch Initiatives. It started offering online workshops in October 2014. These workshops help bring attention to the ranch. The money earned helps with renovations and promoting the ranch. Rananim was also the name of a dream community Lawrence wanted to create. He hoped to build it with other writers and artists.
Other Ranch Features
Ranch Dwellings
When Lawrence, Frieda, and Dorothy Brett moved to the ranch in May 1924, there were two homes and a small barn. The largest home was called "The Homesteader's Cabin." Lawrence and Frieda chose to live there. Lady Brett stayed in the small, one-room cabin, which visitors can still see. Neither log cabin was in good shape. They needed repairs in the first few months the Lawrences lived there.
The Lawrence Tree
A very large pine tree stands outside the main house. It became known as the Lawrence Tree. The writer often worked at a small table at its base. He wrote about his love for this tree:
The big pine tree in front of the house, standing still and unconcerned and alive ... the overshadowing tree whose green top one never looks at ... One goes out of the door and the tree-trunk is there, like a guardian angel. The tree-trunk, the long work table and the fence!
In the summer of 1929, the artist Georgia O'Keeffe visited the Lawrence Ranch. This visit inspired her painting The Lawrence Tree. She painted it from an unusual view. She lay on a long bench and looked up into the tree's branches.
See also
