The 411 - Fascinating Facts

A Welcome Message from Governor Bill Richardson

As Governor, I am very pleased to welcome you to the great State of New Mexico. New Mexico has a rich heritage with roots that reach centuries beyond the history of the United States itself. Many different cultures have made this beautiful land their home and they have all helped to shape its vibrant modern character, as well as our unique blend of Hispano, Native American and European influenced cuisine.

No one should leave New Mexico without getting to know the distinctive arts, music, dance and traditions of the state’s Native American tribes. Many of the centuries-old pueblos welcome visitors for special celebrations. Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner State Monument, commemorating the “long walk" of the Navajo and Mescalero tribes in the 1860s, is the newest of several sites around the state that tell the important story of the struggle for Native Americans’ rights and homeland.

Hispanic culture also thrives in New Mexico, with a history dating back to the earliest days of the European presence in America. Long before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spaniards were creating a legacy in New Mexico that can still be felt, particularly in the villages of northern New Mexico, the mission churches and the Palace of the Governors — the oldest seat of government in the country and now the New Mexico History Museum.

New Mexico’s state-owned museum system is without equal in the nation. Eight museums and six state monuments guide visitors through our state’s fascinating history. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, though privately owned, has established a tremendous presence in our state and its educational programs are known nationwide.

The Scenic Byways of New Mexico include the spectacular ride on the historic Cumbres & Toltec Railroad through some of the most beautiful countryside in the Southwest. As you travel south, you can experience our newly inaugurated El Camino Real International Heritage Center. This new museum, in a breathtaking setting, recounts the journey made by tradesmen, herders and early settlers of the region, en route from San Gabriel del Yunque in northern New Mexico to Mexico City with New Mexico’s earliest commerce.

New Mexico is Billy the Kid country, with the incomparable living history village of Lincoln. This year, through a generous gift of historic properties, we doubled the size of the Lincoln State Monument. Now, visitors to Lincoln can travel through time and see an old store, a historic country doctor’s office and the famous Lincoln County Courthouse where Billy the Kid was once held. While you are traveling through the southern part of our state, you will not want to miss Silver City, an up-and-coming art colony, and Old Mesilla, near Las Cruces.

There is always something new to discover in this home of ancient petroglyphs and world-class modern art, traditional pueblos and labs on the cutting edge of science and technology. Take time to explore the many layers of New Mexico, from its expansive desert landscapes to its cool alpine meadows, and experience what makes this truly the “Land of Enchantment."

With warmest regards,
Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico