Located in Valles Caldera's Historic Cabin District, the Bond Cabin was constructed in 1918 to serve as a seasonal residence for the Bond Family, who owned Valles Caldera from 1918 to 1963. In addition to serving as a residence, it functioned as the official ranch headquarters for decades. Although remodeled in the 1980s, many of the cabin's windows and doors are still original.
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Renowned Western artist Gary Morton painted Peace in the Valle, depicting the Bond Cabin, while tending cattle in Valles Caldera National Preserve in 2008. As a gift of appreciation, new Lifetime and Obsidian Guild members will receive one of 350 signed and numbered 15"-by-20" lithographic prints of Peace in the Valle.
The 2015 recipient of New Mexico's prestigious Rounders Award, Morton has spent over 30 years depicting contemporary cowboy life through his paintings. His paintings draw on his own extensive ranching experience, which began as a teenager and includes serving as wagon boss on New Mexico's historic Bell Ranch. Morton's oil painting The Simple Pleasures of New Mexico was commissioned by the New Mexico State Legislature and hangs the State Capitol Building in Santa Fe; other works of Morton's hang in museums and galleries across the country. Morton has served as Chairman of the New Mexico Arts Commission, as well as Director of New Mexico's Department of Cultural Affairs.
Gary Morton at work, courtesy of TK Thompson