Hands-On Historic Masonry Preservation Workshop at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
November 11–14, 2026 | El Paso, TX
Join Preservation Texas and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department at Hueco Tanks State Park for an exclusive, hands-on preservation training workshop focused on historic stone masonry assessment, stabilization, and traditional construction techniques. Space is limited to 15 public participants, who will train alongside 15 Texas Parks & Wildlife staff members throughout the workshop.
Located just outside El Paso, Hueco Tanks State Park is known for its Indigenous history, dramatic desert landscapes, and world-class rock climbing. Its massive boulders and natural rock basins, or huecos, have provided water and shelter for thousands of years, leaving behind a remarkable collection of pictographs and petroglyphs. The site was also home to the Escontrias family, who established a ranch here in 1898. Their four-room adobe home now serves as the park’s interpretive center.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:
Opening Reception | Wednesday, November 11 | 6:00-7:00 p.m.
This four-day event kicks off with an evening reception and presentation at Preservation Texas’s West Texas Heritage Center, located at 201 E San Antonio Ave in downtown El Paso. This is an opportunity to meet fellow workshop attendees and learn more about the history and significance of Hueco Tanks and the Escontrias homestead, where the hands-on portion of the workshop will take place. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Regional history and architecture books, including Adobe Conservation: A Preservation Handbook, as well as Preservation Texas merchandise, will be available for purchase.
Hands-On Historic Masonry Preservation Workshop | Thursday, November 12 - Saturday, November 14
The workshop will take place at Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (6900 Hueco Tanks Road No. 1, El Paso), where participants will gain practical experience working with historic stone masonry. Led by experts from Cornerstones Community Partnerships, the workshop will explore dry-stack and earthen-mortar construction methods through hands-on work to stabilize and rebuild sections of ruined walls at the historic Escontrias homestead within the park. Participants will learn how to work with locally available materials while using traditional tools and construction techniques.
The workshop will also include a module on assessing historic adobe buildings, covering topics such as diagnosing cracking patterns, moisture testing, and soil analysis. Participants will learn how to identify the underlying causes of structural damage and better understand how those findings inform appropriate preservation treatments.
LODGING & MEALS:
Lunch will be provided daily at the workshop for participants registered through Preservation Texas. Lodging is not provided as part of this workshop. Attendees are welcome to reserve a campsite at Hueco Tanks State Park or choose from the many hotels and vacation rentals available in the El Paso area.
REGISTRATION:
Registration is $300 per person and is limited to 15 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Register below to secure your spot today!
Current Preservation Texas members receive 10% off registration with code MEMBER26. If you are unsure of your membership status, please check our online Member Directory.
Pictured above: Stone ruins of the Escontrias homestead at Hueco Tanks State Park.
Pictured above: The 1898 adobe Escontrias ranch house.