Linda Bourne is 77 and a lifelong resident of Las Animas, Colorado. Born and raised in the community, she moved away after getting married and spent nearly 50 years away before returning to her roots in 2012.
Since returning, Linda has become deeply involved in her community. She volunteers at the John W. Rawlings Heritage Center and Museum, where she helps with a little bit of everything and currently serves as the Events Coordinator and Facebook Administrator. She also serves on the Bent County Historical Society Board, is the Membership Chairperson for the Bent’s Fort Chapter of the Santa Fe Trail, and joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 2023. Linda also manages Facebook pages for several other local organizations.
Linda served as president of the Bent County Art Guild for more than 10 years and has always enjoyed creating art and crafts, both for herself and for others. Her love of crafting has grown so much that she invested in a 16-by-16-foot, two-story craft barn to house her many projects, along with her musical instruments and artwork.
A lover of ancestry and history, Linda has participated in Living History at Bent’s Old Fort and enjoys exploring the stories and traditions of her community. She especially loves creating and working with people of all ages. When she isn’t crafting or volunteering, Linda enjoys gardening, yard work, spending time outdoors, and simply exploring. She hopes to never stop learning, creating, and finding new ways to connect with others.