We have completed our registration with the State of New Mexico Attorney General's Office as a non-profit corporation. We have also submitted all of the documents for tax-exempt status. Now that these necessities are finalized, we can begin to actively campaign for funding and support.
SO . . . HOW CAN YOU HELP????
We are gearing up for the summer - archery is one of the major activities we are planning. Not only are we going to offer instruction on the archery range, but also teach arrow construction and fletching.
We need the following:
- three 20-35 pound bows for older/bigger teens (at least one left handed)
- Six 15-20 pound bows appropriate for use by teenagers (at least one left handed)
- four 10 - 15 pound bows appropriate for use by the younger children (at least one left handed)
These bows should be long-bow style or recurve . . . NOT compound. We are attempting to recreate Medieval technology, so compound bows would be inappropriate.
- 48 wooden (cedar) arrows 24 inches long (for the 10-15 pound bows)
- 108 wooden (cedar) arrows 28 inches long (for the 15-20 and 20-35 pound bows)
Not only is the use of wooden arrows historically correct, they are also safer to use then the arrows constructed of man-made materials.
- thirteen or more sets of arm gaurds and finger tabs/gloves in a variety of sizes and right and left handedness.
- 72 cedar arrow shafts, tips, and feathers (for arrow making/fletching)
If you are interested in contributing either monetarily or with materials in-kind, please contact us at donations@medieval-living.com - thank you!!!
We can also take donations via PayPal.
VERY NEAR FUTURE
We are going to need some temporary facilities (1 to 2 years) where we can hold classes, perhaps conduct some indoor archery sessions, as well as provide office space and storage. Our biggest concern is having classrooms available on a regular basis. We are currently using libraries and other "free" resources . . . but I think the librarian will probably become annoyed if we start firing off arrows between the stacks!!! Anyone in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area who would be willing to provide us with some free or very low-cost facility space, please contact us! It doesn't have to be beautiful, just functional.
LONG TERM NEEDS
And well . . . our expectation is to create a Medieval era living history museum . . . which will require a multitude of things. One of the first items will be to find some suitable land. Location is important mostly in that we need to be accessable by those we serve . . . we are interested in northern Sandoval County and San Miguel County because of the forested land available there. Once the land has been secured and we have adequate funds to cover the expenses of owning land, then we will press on with the matter of constructing the village. Our desire is to construct a 14th century English village - timberframed houses with waddle and daub would be the bulk of it. A large hall of some sort would also be needed - for classes, meetings, the occasional wedding (you know someone will want to get married there!), and other activities.
As this endeavor grows, so will our need for financial support. As long as our supporters can keep in mind that our purpose is to provide an educational setting, that our goal is to use the Medieval era as a backdrop for teaching, then we will always be moving in the right direction!
