New History Mexico Museums

Albuquerque Museum of Art and History  [Historic Photos]

The museum offers exhibits focused on the history of Albuquerque, and holds a collection of art by local and regional artists.

2000 Mountain Road NW

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center   [19 Pueblosi of NM]

Pueblo Indian history and native artifacts are featured in the exhibits.  An extensive photo collection depicts Pueblo Indian life between 1880 and 1910.  The Pueblo Archives and Research Library contains many photos, and documents related to Pueblo Indian studies.  Located at 2401 12th Street NW in Albuquerque, NM.

Museum of Turquoise

National Atomic Museum

The only museum in the United States devoted to the exploration of nuclear science and it's history.  Tours of the Trinity Site at White Sands Missile Range (where the first atomic bomb was exploded) are available here.  Located at 1905 Mountain Road NW in Albuquerque, NM.

National Hispanic Cultural Center

Petroglyph National Monument   [History and Culture]

This national treasure contains over 20,000 petroglyphs (hand carved images) created by Pueblo Indians, their ancestors and Spanish settlers.  These petroglyphs are scattered along a 17 mile escarpment.  Archaeologists have dated some of the petroglyphs as far back as 2000 BC.  Start your visit at the Las Imagenes Visitor Center located on the NW side of Albuquerque, NM at the junction of Unser Boulevard and Western Trail NW.

Acoma Pueblo Museum

Devoted to the history of Acoma and the Acoma people.  Located at NM23, 12 miles SW of I-40 in Acoma Pueblo, NM.

Billy The Kid Museum   [Photos]

1601 E. Sumner Avenue, Fort Sumner, NM.

Fort Sumner State Monument

The museum is focused on the Bosque Redondo Indian Reservation and the tragic fate of the Navajo and Mescalero Apache people who were held captive at Fort Sumner from 1863-1868.  Many died and those who survived were forced to travel to a reservation over 450 miles away in the winter months.  This event in history is known by the Navajo people as the "Long Walk".  Located 3 miles east of the village of Fort Sumner on Highway 60/84.

Bicentennial Log Cabin Museum

This 1870s log cabin which was moved to Las Cruces for a bicentennial celebration is open to the public during Heritage Days..

Branigan Cultural Center   [Photos]

Devoted to the history of the Las Cruces area of New Mexico, the museum is housed in a Great Depression era building at 500 Water Street in Las Cruces, NM.

Fort Selden State Monument

Las Cruces Railroad Museum

Railroad memorabilia is housed in the historic Santa Fe Depot at 351 N. Messilla Street in Las Cruces, NM.

Las Cruces Museum of Natural History

Focused on the natural history of New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert.  700 South Telshor Blvd. #1608, Las Cruces, NM.

New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum  [History]

Demonstrating the 3000 year history of farming and ranching in New Mexico, the interactive museum covers 47 acres.  Located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces, NM.

New Mexico State University Museum

Old Mesilla Historic Site

If you are in the Las Cruces / El Paso area, this is a must see site.  Billy the Kid was tried and sentenced to hang here.  There are numerous historic buildings .  It is a lovely place offering hospitality, good shops and restaurants.

The museum is housed in the 1881 H. B. Ailman House and is focused on the preservation, research and interpretation of the history of SW New Mexico.  Collections include over 15,000 photographs, Native American artifacts, and items related to the history of the area.  The museum offers a Local History Research Library which is open during museum hours.  Located at 312 W. Broadway in Downtown Silver City, NM.

Hubbard Museum of The American West

Lincoln State Monument

Smokey Bear Historical Park

Bradbury Science Museum

The museum features the Los Alamos National Laboratory exhibit where visitors will learn about the development of the first atomic bomb and it's impact on America's defense system.  Located at the corner of 15th and Central in Los Alamos, NM.

Los Alamos Historical Museum

[Los Alamos History]  [Archives]

The museum is housed in the guest cottage of the Los Alamos Ranch School and features exhibits related to the history of Los Alamos along with an archives of photos and documents.  1921 Juniper Street, Los Alamos, NM.

Columbus Historical Society Museum

Pancho Villa State Park

The park features an exhibit hall where the history of Camp Furlong is related and the story of the 1910 Mexican Revolution is told.  Located in the village of Columbus, NM.

A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center

[Historic Homes Tour]  [History]

The Blackwater Draw site is one of the most important archaeological sites in the United States due to evidence of Columbian mammoth, saber tooth cat, dire wolf and other early animals along with early humans, who roamed this area over 13,000 years ago.  The museum displays and interprets artifacts found at the site.  The site has been declared a National Historic Landmark.  Located at 508 Highway 467 about eight miles north of Portales, NM.

Oasis State Park

Shifting sand dunes, a small lake and cottonwood trees make up this wildlife habitat.  Known as a good place for bird watching.

Location: 1891 Oasis Road

               Portales, NM

Farmington Museum

The museum is devoted to the history of Farmington, New Mexico.  Featured exhibits are related to the Navajo Indians and the oil industry in Farmington.  The newest exhibit is the Three Waters Trading Post, a replica of a 1930s trading post.  3041 E. Main Street in Farmington, NM.

The Las Vegas City Museum and Rough Riders Collection

The museum exhibits are focused on the development of Las Vegas, New Mexico and the part played by the Santa Fe Trail.  A large collection of artifacts, documents and photos from the Rough Riders, is housed in the museum.  Located at 727 Grand Avenue, Las Vegas, NM.

Casa San Ysidro   [History]  [Virtual Tour]

Coronado State Monument

Named for Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, start your visit at the visitors center where you can learn about the Pueblo of Kuaua, then tour the Pueblo ruins.  185 Kuaua Road in Bernalillo, NM.

Jemez State Monument

Walatoa Visitor Center   Jemez Pueblo

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Walk into the past at the "Ranch of the Swallows".  The living history museum is dated from the early 1700s and was an important stop on the famous Camino Real with over 200 acres of original colonial buildings.  Villagers clothed in period dress bring the village to life. See directions to the museum which is located 15 miles south of Santa Fe.

Museum of New Mexico

There are actually four museums attributes to the Museum of New Mexico.  All are located on Museum Hill on Camino Lejo in Santa Fe, NM. 

1. Museum of Spanish Colonial Art is housed in a historical building designed by John Gaw Meem and features a collection of the Spanish Colonial world art.

2. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is a repository of Native art and culture, telling the stories of the people of the Southwest.

3. Museum of International Folk Art is known as the world's largest collection of folk art, containing more than 135,000 artifacts.

4. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian features both contemporary and historic Native American art and includes shows by Native American artists and photographers.

Old Coal Mine Museum

Located on the Turquoise Trail (Highway 14) in Madrid, NM, the museum is focused on the history of the coal mining industry in Madrid, NM.  This small mining community became a ghost town in 1890.

Palace of The Governors   [Collections]

The building was built in the early 17th century as the seat of government for Spain.  Considered an American Treasure, today it is a museum chronicling the history of Santa Fe, NM.

El Camino Real Heritage Center

[History of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro]

Telling the story of the first European settlements of North America and the "Royal Road" which was the international trail of commerce linking Spain, Mexico and the United States.  Today's Interstate Hwy 25 parallels the historic Camino Real. Located 30 miles south of Socorro, NM.

* Taos County History Timeline

Blumenschein Home and Museum

Kit Carson Home and Museum

Containing a portion of the original home of Kit Carson, the museum offers artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Kit Carson and frontier life in Taos, New Mexico.  Located on Kit Carson Road 1/2 block from Taos Plaza in Taos, NM.

La Hacienda de los Martinez

Taos County Historic Places

Salinas Pueblo Missions

Museum Index for Other States

New Mexico Census Records