NM2007 - New Mexico Museum Guide

Museums are sorted by city.

ABIQUIU

Ghost Ranch Museums
Ghost Ranch, HC 77, Box 11
Abiquiu, NM 87510
(505) 685-4333 ext. 118; (877) 804-4678
Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu is home to the Triassic dinosaur, Coelophysis, the New Mexico State Fossil. Some 200 million years of earth history are brilliantly exposed here where landscape has shaped the cultural history. The Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology and the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology are places of study dedicated to the land and the people of northern New Mexico. The Piedra Lumbre Education and Visitor Center greets guests with indoor and outdoor exhibits related to history and nature. Visit www.ghostranch.org for hours of operation.

ACOMA

Acoma Pueblo
(800) 747-0181
Acoma Pueblo, 45 minutes west of Albuquerque, warmly welcomes visitors to experience North America's oldest continuously inhabited community, which sits atop a sheer-walled 370-foot mesa. At the base of Sky City, discover 1,000 years of Acoma art, culture and history at Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum. The Haak'u Museum Gift Shop offers the best traditional and contemporary handmade Acoma pottery, sculptures and paintings, as well as jewelry and other unique gifts. Feast on authentic Acoma cuisine and traditional baked treats by Acoma Chefs at Yaak'a Café.

ALAMOGORDO

New Mexico Museum of Space History
Hwy. 2001, P.O. Box 533 Alamogordo, NM 88311
(505) 437-2840; (877) 333-6589
Learn about the history of space exploration, from the earliest rocket testing to the space shuttle.

ALBUQUERQUE

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque Balloon Museum
At the Balloon Fiesta grounds
9201 Balloon Museum Dr. N.E.,  Albuquerque, NM 87110,
(505) 768-6020
Celebrates the history and future of ballooning. More than 50 historical and modern gondolas are displayed.

Albuquerque Museum of Art and History
2000 Mountain Rd., N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87104,
(505) 242-4600
Permanent exhibits include Four Centuries, featuring Spanish Colonial artifacts and Explore, a hands-on gallery that teaches light, sound, and motion through play.

Explora Science Center and Albuquerque Children's Museum
I-40 and Louisiana Albuquerque, NM 87104,
(505) 224-8300
Exhibits and hands-on science demonstrations. Exhibits include a flight demonstrator, gravity well and echo tube.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th St., N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 843-7270
Learn about the history of the state's 19 Indian pueblos and Pueblo culture from prehistoric times to the present.

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
University of NM, Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 277-4405
An international collection, with special emphasis on materials from native cultures of the Southwest.

Museum of Turquoise
2107 Central Ave., N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 247-8650
See turquoise formed in the rock, learn the history and myths about turquoise and Native Americans.

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
1905 Mountain Rd., N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 245-2137
The Manhattan Project is prominently featured, giving the history of the experiment that produced the first atomic bomb.

National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico
Fourth St. and Avenida Cesar Chavez, S.W. Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 246-2261
A center dedicated to the support, preservation and enhancement of Hispanic arts and humanities.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
1801 Mountain Rd., N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 841-2802
Innovative hands-on educational exhibits include an active volcano, ice-age cave, dinosaurs, "Evolator' time machine and a larger-than-life Dyna Theater.

Rio Grande Nature Center
2901 Candelaria Rd., N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 344-0274
Migratory fowl, nature trails, and visitor center with a library and exhibits tracing the history, geology, and ecology of the Rio Grande Valley.

University Art Museum and Jonson Gallery
University of NM Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 277-4967
Leading institutions in the Southwest for 19th and 20th century American and European art.

CAPITAN

Smokey Bear Museum
102 Smokey Bear Blvd. Capitan, NM 88316
(505) 354-2298
A memorial to Smokey, the orphan bear cub who became a symbol representing forest fires prevention.

CARLSBAD

Carlsbad Museum & Art Center
418 W. Fox St., Carlsbad, NM 88220
(505) 887-0276
Local geology, arts, and history exhibits.

CIMARRON

Old Mill Museum
Hwy. 21, Cimarron, NM 87714
(505) 356-2417
A collection of memorabilia and early photos of regional history.

CLOUDCROFT

Cloudcroft Historical Museum
Hwy. 82, Cloudcroft, NM 88317
(505) 682-2932
Local history exhibits.

DEMING

Deming/Luna Mimbres Museum
301 S. Silver, Deming, NM 88030
(505) 546-2382
Once called "the Smithsonian of the West," this museum houses huge collections of Mimbres pottery, furniture, glass, rocks, bells, whiskey bottles, saddles, cars, and a military room.

ESPAÑOLA/ CHIMAYÓ

Bond House Museum
706 Bond St. Española, NM 87532
(505) 747-8535
Local art and history exhibits.

Chimayó Museum
County Rd. 98, Chimayó, NM 87522
(505) 351-0945
Showcases the art, culture and history of the area.

FARMINGTON

Farmington Museum
3041 E. Main St., Farmington, NM 87402
(505) 599-1174
General history and science. Local Farmington history, Navajo history, prehistory of the area, and a children's museum.

GALLUP

Rex Museum
300 W. Historic Hwy. 66 Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 863-1363
Railroad and mining history of the area.

GRANTS

New Mexico Mining Museum
100 N. Iron Ave. Grants, NM 87020
(505) 287-4802
The world's only uranium mining museum.

LAS CRUCES

Branigan Cultural Center
500 N. Water St. Las Cruces, NM 88001
(505) 541-2155
Changing art and local history exhibits.

Gadsden Museum
Barker Rd. and Hwy. 28 Old Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 526-6293
Indian and Spanish artifacts; local history exhibits.

Las Cruces Museum of Natural History
700 S. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces, NM 88011
(505) 522-3120
Numerous changing exhibits on the Southwest's natural history.

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
4100 Dripping Spring Rd. Las Cruces, NM 88011
(505) 522-4100
Largest agricultural museum in the country with exhibits on farming and ranching, Southwestern art exhibits.

New Mexico State University Museum
Kent Hall/University at Solano Las Cruces, NM 88003
(505) 646-3739
A journey through time, showing the technological and cultural changes in the Southwest. Minerals, gems, fossils, and an overview of geological history are also on display.

LAS VEGAS

City Museum of Las Vegas and Roughriders Memorial
727 Grand Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-1401
History of Northeast New Mexico and display of Roughrider uniforms and memorabilia.

LOS ALAMOS

Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance Rd., Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 672-3861
A small museum in the visitor center focuses on Indian culture and artifacts from 1200 to modern Pueblo times.

Bradbury Science Museum
Los Alamos National Laboratory
15th and Central Ave., Los Alamos, NM 87545
(505) 667-4444
A glimpse into World War II's Project Y.

Los Alamos Historical Museum
1921 Juniper St. Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 662-4493
A look at the community's past and information about the surrounding Pajarito Plateau.

PORTALES

Blackwater Draw Museum
Eastern NM University Portales, NM 88130
(505) 562-2202; (505) 356-5235
Displays artifacts from the Blackwater Draw site, inhabited around 11,000 years ago.

RATON

Raton Museum
216 S. First, Raton, NM 87740
(505) 445-8979
Raton and Colfax County history. Ghost towns, mining, ranching, railroad, art, and other exhibits.

ROSWELL

International UFO Museum and Research Center
114 N. Main Roswell, NM 88203
(505) 625-9495
A premier museum on extra-terrestrial phenomenon and UFOs. A center for serious research and exhibits.

Roswell Museum and Art Center
100 W. 11th Roswell, NM 88201
(505) 624-6744
Fine art includes works by Peter Hurd, Henriette Wyeth. Rocket science exhibit features work of Dr. Robert Goddard. Collection includes Rogers Aston Gallery of American Indian and Western Art.

RUIDOSO DOWNS/ALTO

Hubbard Museum of the American West
841 W. Hwy. 70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346
(505) 378-4142
Museum exploring mankind's universal dependence on the horse.

SANTA FE

El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, Inc.
1615 B Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 992-0591
Devoted to showcasing and promoting Hispano culture, art and traditions of Northern New Mexico.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas
La Cienaga, (12 miles south of Santa Fe) La Cienaga, NM 87507
(505) 471-2261
A living history museum showing life in colonial New Mexico.

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
217 Johnson St. Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 946-1000
The world's single largest repository of O'Keeffe paintings and sculpture. Experience the collection that honors O’Keeffe and the study of American modernism. Educational opportunities abound for students of all ages. The museum’s public lecture series brings renowned scholars from around the world. Enjoy daily docent tours and explore the Museum Shop’s collection. You can also host a wedding, reception, or gathering at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and your guests will have the opportunity to privately tour the galleries of this world-renowned institution. Experience the wonder and allure of one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Governor's Gallery
State Capitol (Fourth floor), Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 476-2200
Exhibitions of New Mexico artists in the international arena.

Indian Arts Research Center
660 Garcia St. Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 954-7205
World-class collection of more than 10,000 historic Indian art objects, including pottery, jewelry, textiles, paintings, and baskets. Open Friday at 2 p.m. Call for tour information.

Institute of American Indian Arts
108 Cathedral Place Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 983-8900
A wonderful collection of contemporary Indian art and some historical material — more than 6,000 items.

Museum of Fine Arts
107 Palace Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 476-5072
Celebrated historical and contemporary fine art from the state, region, and the world. Bringing the art of New Mexico to the world and the art of the world to New Mexico, the Museum of Fine Arts resides in an architecturally significant Pueblo Revival building dating to 1917 and houses collections by major artists from New Mexico and the world. The Museum of Fine Arts is filled with treasures, including important works by Gustave Baumann and Georgia O’Keeffe. In addition to the permanent collections, curators present changing exhibitions throughout the year that provoke conversations about art, content, and metaphor.

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
710 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill), Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 476-1250
Encounter Native cultures of the Southwest from ancestral to contemporary times. See art, material culture, and archaeology from a collection of some of the area's most treasured jewelry, baskets, pottery and weavings. Discover the spirit of Native America in the heart of the Southwest. Explore Native American lives and traditions through the songs, stories, art and archaeology of the indigenous people. Visit the inspired exhibitions, including Here, Now and Always, and the Roland Sculpture Garden set at beautiful Milner Plaza. The museum offers lectures and classes on Native American art and history, field trips explore regional archaeology and native culture, and the Discovery Center is an interactive display for visitors of all ages. Encounter Native cultures of the Southwest from ancestral to contemporary times. See art, material culture, and archaeology from a collection of some of the area’s most treasured jewelry, baskets, pottery and weavings.

Museum of International Folk Art
710 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill), Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 476-1200
Experience the color and excitement of the world's cultures through the people's folk art. Visit the Museum of International Folk Art and explore the beautiful artistry of the textiles, ceramics, masks, furniture and toys in the world’s largest collection of folk art. Multiple Visions: A Common Bond, created by donor and designer Alexander Girard, features toys, dolls, textiles and religious objects displayed in miniature villages, markets and theatres sets. Also, contemporary examples of New Mexican santos, retablos, and other works of art demonstrate the continuity of the historic art forms as they are re-interpreted by living artists.

Museum of Spanish Colonial Art
750 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill) Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-2226
With 3,000 objects, this is a comprehensive compilation of Spanish Colonial art.

Palace of the Governors
The Plaza, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 476-5100
The state’s history museum, where some of the finest artifacts are housed in one of the oldest buildings in the country. The Palace of the Governors was built 1609-1610. As an enthralling historical museum, the 19,000-square-foot palace houses a collection of more than 17,000 historical objects and documents the Spanish Colonial, Mexican, American Territorial, and recent eras in New Mexico history. Items date from the earliest Spanish explorations of the 16th century and chronicle 223 years of Spanish control, 25 years as part of Mexico, 66 years as a territory of the United States, and from New Mexico statehood in 1912 to the present. Under the portal, Native Americans sell jewelry and crafts as they have since the 1930s.

Poeh Cultural Center
78 Cities of Gold Road on Hwy. 84/285 Santa Fe, NM 87506
(505) 455-3334
Dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of Pojoaque Pueblo.

Santa Fe Children's Museum
1050 Old Pecos Trail Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 989-8359
Hands-on arts, science and humanities exhibits for children.

SITE Santa Fe
1606 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 989-1199
A private nonprofit, non-collecting contemporary arts organization exhibiting artists who merit international recognition and complementary education and multidisciplinary public programs.

Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
704 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill), Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 982-4636
Major exhibits of Indian art and culture, featuring contemporary and historical Native American arts and crafts.

SILVER CITY

Silver City Museum
312 W. Broadway Silver City, NM 88061
(505) 538-5921
Trace the history of this area from prehistoric Indians to present while exploring the beautiful H.B. Ailman Victorian home. Looks at life in the Southwest during Victorian era.

Western New Mexico University Museum
WNMU, Silver City, NM 88061
(505) 538-6386
The multicultural history of Southwestern New Mexico includes the largest permanent exhibit of Mimbres pottery in the U.S.

TAOS

Ernest Blumenschein Home/ Taos Historic Museum
222 Ledoux St.Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-0505
European culture and adobe charm make a memorable visit to the home of the co-founder of the Taos Society of Artists.

Taos Art Museum and Fechin House
227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-2690
An old adobe, remodeled by the Russian artist features hand-carved details and folk furniture.

Governor Bent Home & Museum
117A Bent St., Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-2376
Adobe home of the first New Mexico territorial governor contains frontier artifacts and family furnishings.

Harwood Museum of Art
238 Ledoux St., Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-9826
The museum collects and researches the art, artists, and art history of the Taos area from the last 100 years.

Kit Carson Home and Museum
Kit Carson Rd. at Taos Plaza, Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-4613
Exhibits on all periods of Taos history and the Old West.

La Hacienda de los Martinez
Two miles south of Taos on Ranchitos Rd. (NM 240) Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-1000
Restored Spanish Colonial hacienda with a look at life in Spanish Colonial New Mexico. Taos photographic exhibit and exhibits on Spanish culture.

Millicent Rogers Museum
Off Hwy. 522 Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-2462
Millicent Rogers' collection of Southwestern Native American and Hispanic art, including a collection of pottery by Maria Martinez and her family.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES

Callahan's Auto Museum
410 Cedar St., Truth or Consequences NM 87901
(505) 894-6900
The only museum in the state devoted to the automobile.

Geronimo Springs Museum
211 Main St., Truth or Consequences NM 87901
(505) 894-6600
Local history and mineral exhibits, Mimbres pottery.

TUCUMCARI

Tucumcari Historical Museum
416 S. Adams Tucumcari, NM 88401
(505) 461-4201
Indian artifacts, farming and ranching exhibits, early town memorabilia.