New Mexico: a land of legend

New Mexico offers groups endless opportunities to connect with its heritage, history, and an artistic legacy that spans from ancient times when life’s images were imprinted on pottery and cave walls, through to modern times where contemporary styles are displayed in traditional motifs. Monuments that commemorate important times and events and museums dedicated to 21st-century passions, along with that artistic legacy are just a few ways to connect with New Mexico’s culture and heritage.

State monuments track New Mexico’s cultures and history

The New Mexico State Monument System has capsulated the state’s history by visiting various locations honoring important times and events in its history. The time span begins with the ancient pueblo sites of Jémez and Kuaua. The newest addition to the monument system, Camino Real International Heritage Center, celebrates the significance of this route which has been followed from the
first Spanish exploration through to modern times.

The Jémez State Monument is located in the San Diego Canyon near Jémez Springs  The native population lived here peacefully for many generations until the early 16th century when Spanish Franciscan missionaries arrived in the region to establish a mission, abrasively setting forth to convert the Native population to Christianity. The monument’s pueblo and mission ruins are among the most impressive in the Southwest. There is a 1,400-foot interpretive trail through its seven-acre site and the visitor center displays exhibits interpreting
historic events from the perspective of the Jémez people.

Coronado State Monument at Bernalillo is the site of the pueblo of Kuaua established in 1300 A.D. and abandoned at the end of the 16th century. Named for Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, who is believed to have camped in the area in 1540 while searching for the fabled City of Gold, the monument has an interpretive trail to a reconstructed Kuaua kiva and visitor center. There are fifteen display panels that show the original kiva pre-contact mural art depicting daily life of the Kuaua people and animals. Other exhibits display the
cultural artifacts of the Native Americans and the Spanish colonists.

The new El Camino Real International Heritage Center at Socorro offers insights to the importance of this historic route from the time of the Spanish Colonial exploration and settlement period. The opening of El Camino Real, the Royal Road, had significant impact on the region’s Native American life and remains a principal commercial corridor as I-25. The route parallels the federally
designated El Camino Real National Scenic Byway and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic  Trail. At the center, there are exhibits about the various civilizations and cultures influenced by the route and, at its amphitheater, traditional Native American and Spanish music and dance performances are  scheduled.

Fort Selden was established in 1865 in the south central region near Radium
Springs. The fort housed units of the U.S. Infantry and Cavalry who were
charged with protecting settlers and travelers in the Mesilla Valley region
from desperados and Apache Indians. Several units were comprised of black
troopers who were called Buffalo Soldiers. Within 25 years, hostilities
were no longer a priority and the fort was decommissioned in 1891. There
are many remaining adobe brick structures and the visitor center exhibits
photographs and artifacts from the fort and region’s frontier and military history.
Ceremonies and living history demonstrations are scheduled throughout the year.

Lincoln is a town frozen in time. Once called “the most dangerous street
in America,” Lincoln State Monument, a National Historic Landmark, preserves
eleven historic adobe and stone buildings dating from one of the most violent periods in New Mexico history, 1878-1881. It was a time when battles for government contracts erupted into the Lincoln County War and its many
infamous characters included Sheriff Pat Garret and Billy the Kid.

Interpretive displays and artifacts are found throughout the town and in its
buildings. Museums with a Contemporary View The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is dedicated to the art, culture, science, history, sport and spectacle of ballooning. It features one of the finest collections of ballooning equipment and memorabilia in the world and offers visitors an opportunity to experience the sensations of a balloon lift-off and float. The sport of ballooning is one of New Mexico’s most familiar icons and the
colorful Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Oct. 5-14, 2007, is a celebrated international event. The Museum is located at Balloon Fiesta Park and is open yearround, Tuesday-Sunday.

Santa Fe’s Institute of American Indian Art has recently reopened with
a newly defined focus on modern art. Displays and programming highlight modern Native artworks and explore historic timelines. Anglo and Hispanic cross-cultural events influence new interpretation of traditional Native American art. The museum’s collection of 7,000 objects represents works from more than 120 Native American Nations and include paintings, sculpture, photography, textiles, baskets, jewelry, ceramics and beadwork. Talks and guided tours of the collection are available to groups.

The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque is dedicated to the study, advancement and presentation of Hispanic culture, arts and humanities. Its 50-acre campus sits in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas (neighborhood) on the east side of the Rio Grande River. The center’s Torreon (tower) design was inspired by stone defensive structures and watchtowers built by New Mexico’s Spanish settlers. Its interior features a fresco mural that covers its 41-foot walls and ceiling depicting the development of Hispanic heritage from early history to
present day. Public galleries and programs are offered in four areas of interest: visual and performing arts, history and literary arts, media arts, and culinary arts.

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Courtesy of leisuregrouptravel