Seton Village facts for kids
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Seton Village
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House at Seton Village
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
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| Area | 43.7 acres (17.7 ha) |
| Built | 1946 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000492 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLD | December 21, 1965 |
Seton Village is a special historic place near Santa Fe, in New Mexico. It's known as a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important place in American history.
The village was started in 1930 by Ernest Thompson Seton. He was an educator and a person who worked to protect nature. Many people know him as one of the people who helped start the Boy Scouts of America. Seton Village includes what's left of Seton's large home. It also has other buildings where people lived and learned. Most of these buildings were built between 1930 and 1945. In 1965, Seton Village was officially named a National Historic Landmark.
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Exploring Seton Village
Seton Village is about 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Santa Fe. It is located west of Interstate 25. The village has a main open area called a plaza. Around this plaza are homes and community buildings made of adobe. Adobe is a type of brick made from earth and straw.
East of the plaza, you can find the remains of Seton's big house. It was like a castle with 32 rooms. Sadly, it caught fire in 2005 while it was being fixed up.
Unique Buildings
Some buildings in the village are very special. They were built around old railroad cars! Seton brought these train cars to the site. Workers took out the inside parts of the cars. Then, they put plaster on the inside walls. They built adobe walls around the outside of the cars. One of these buildings no longer has the train car inside it.
Seton's Castle Home
Ernest Thompson Seton began designing his castle-like home in 1933. This large building had 32 rooms. It was about 6,900 square feet (640 m2) in size. The house had many levels and a flat roof. Its outside walls were made of rough stone.
Inside, the floors were made of oak wood. The walls were covered in plaster. Big log beams held up the ceilings. Seton built his castle on one of the highest spots on his land. From there, he could see his village and the beautiful western landscape.
Learning and Activities
Seton Village was once home to the Seton Institute. This institute included the Woodcraft League. It also had the College of Indian Wisdom. These places offered training for leaders of the Woodcraft and Scouting groups. The Institute closed when World War II began.
In 1938, Maurice and Marceil Taylor moved their printing business to Seton Village. They set up the Seton Village Press. This press also closed in 1943 because of the war.
Seton Village Today
Today, Seton Village is still a very important place. It is a National Historic Landmark. It is also a New Mexico State Cultural Property. An organization called the Academy for the Love of Learning now owns the property. They have kept the castle ruins as a peaceful "contemplative garden."
The Academy also has the Seton Legacy Project. This project keeps a collection of art and old papers. These items are all about Ernest Thompson Seton. The Academy Campus, which includes an art gallery, opened in 2011.
From the village, you can see the Jemez Mountains. You can also see Mount Taylor.
Education
Children living in Seton Village go to schools in the Santa Fe Public Schools district.
