PRESS RELEASES

09/01/10 Chow Down at the Cowden Cafe
The History Museum’s Cowden Cafe, operated by the owners of the famous Plaza Cafe, celebrates its grand opening Sept. 12, with a ranch-style barbecue and live Western music by Sid Hausman, plus a free lecture about the Cowden Ranch. Take a break from the Santa Fe Fiesta to enjoy a $9.99 buffet. Tap your toes and feast on barbecue chicken, brisket, fruit cobbler and more on the café’s second-floor terrace from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. At 3:30 pm in the History Museum Auditorium, author Michael Pettit will talk about “Historic Ranching in Southeast New Mexico and Contemporary Family Ranching in New Mexico.”
08/31/10 Dignitaries to Attend U.S. Debut of Rare Spanish Documents
From a 1602 field drawing of a buffalo to portraits of President George Washington, Spanish explorers, colonists and diplomats have played key roles in American culture for five centuries. An exhibit coming to the New Mexico History Museum from Spain explores the first 300 years of those encounters – from the friars who made first contact with Native peoples through Spain’s timely assistance to American forces in the Revolutionary War. The Threads of Memory: Spain and the United States (El Hilo de la Memoria: España y los Estados Unidos) opens Oct. 16 with a ticketed event featuring New Mexican and Spanish dignitaries. On Sunday, Oct. 17, the public is invited to enjoy the U.S. premiere of nearly 140 rare documents, maps, illustrations and paintings – many of which have never been displayed outside of Spain. The opening also marks the start of the Threads of Memory Lecture Series, with keynote speaker Luis Laorden of Madrid, Spain. The series includes lectures, musical performances, panel discussions and more that further explore the role Spain has played in shaping America as it is.
08/21/10 Huichol Art and Culture:
For the first time, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology presents a significant collection of Huichol art from the early part of the last century in Huichol Art and Culture: Balancing the World. The exhibition opens at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture April 11, 2010 and will run through March 13, 2011. There are important ties between Huichol work and Native American, prehispanic, and Hispanic art histories and cultures. Known today for colorful, decorative yarn paintings, the origins of modern Huichol art are found in the earlier Huichol religious arts of the Robert M. Zingg ethnographic collection at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.
08/09/10 Drip Tease: John Tinker’s Narrative Sculptures
In Drip Tease John Tinker challenges the public with sixteen sculptures that offer droll comments about politics, survival, and popular culture.
07/30/10 Breakfast With The Curators
07/27/10 Fort Stanton & Old Lincoln Days
Fort Stanton - a Southern New Mexico landmark since the days of Billy the Kid, Kit Carson, and the Buffalo Soldiers - celebratets its continued service to New Mexico and the United States with Fort Stanton Live! Aug 6 - 8, 2010.
07/20/10 The Girard Collection: Enduring Appeal
Multiple Visions: A Common Bond has been the destination for well over a million first-time and repeat visitors to the Museum of International Folk Art.
06/15/10 Traces: Johnnie Winona Ross
First one-man museum exhibition for Johnnie Winona Ross since moving to New Mexico in 1999.
06/15/10 List of Cooperatives in Empowering Women Exhibition
Ten women's artisan cooperatives will be represented in the Museum of International Folk Art's "Gallery of Conscience" inaugural exhibition, "Empowering Women."
06/15/10 Sole Mates: Cowboy Boots and Art Public Programs
06/11/10 Sole Mates: Cowboy Boots and Art Public Programs
Mosey on over to the New Mexico Museum of Art this summer for more "sole-ful" fun. Wear your best boots, have some tasty trail chow, meet the artists, and more.
06/07/10 Museum Announces "Not Your Typical Annual Book Sale"
This year's annual book sale to benefit the New Mexico Museum of Art due to very generous donors will have much more than books.
05/27/10 Wild at Heart: Ernest Thompson Seton
Wild at Heart: Ernest Thompson Seton dedicates itself to telling the often overlooked story of the conservationist, author, artist, lecturer and co-founder of the Boy Scouts of America. Ernest Thompson Seton’s impact on America’s conservation movement was immeasurable but, today is largely forgotten. Wild at Heart: Ernest Thompson Seton sets out to change that through this exhibit and a full year of special programming.
05/18/10 Empowering Women:
A quiet revolution is taking place around the world led by women artisan cooperatives. Taking the initiative to collectively produce, manage, and market their crafts, they have enriched their lives and become powerful forces in their communities. On July 4, 2010 the Museum of International Folk Art inaugurates its’ “Gallery of Conscience,” a space dedicated to exploring contemporary issues affecting folk art production and consumption.
05/13/10 The History Museum Turns 1: Start the Party
After 20 years of planning, designing and building, the New Mexico History Museum’s first year turned into a blockbuster. Since opening to blocks-long lines on May 23, 2009, the museum has drawn 150,000 visitors; held a packed schedule of lectures, workshops and performances; played host to the Crown Prince of Spain; and carried home an armload of awards. In honor of its accomplishments and in gratitude to those who helped make the first year such a success, the Museum of New Mexico Board of Regents voted to open the museum for free May 22 and 23.“We want to throw a party to say `thank you’ for everything that New Mexicans and out-of-state visitors have done for us,” said Dr. Frances Levine, director of the museum. “The outpouring of support from visitors, scholars, donors, businesses, and especially our volunteers has carried us beyond our expectations.”
04/29/10 Plaza Restaurant to Operate New "Cowden Cafe" at History Museum
Downtown Santa Fe will soon have a new gathering spot for enjoying food, beverages, free wi-fi and a stunning view from an upstairs patio. The Cowden Café, opening May 20 at the New Mexico History Museum, will be operated by the historic Plaza Restaurant. The partnership between the museum and the restaurant fits into a new trend of museums as community gathering spots. “Museums are changing,” said Dr. Frances Levine, director of the museum. “It’s not just about visiting the exhibits, it’s about being comfortable in public spaces and providing amenities to help people feel comfortable. We want our museum to be a place for the community.”
04/06/10 Downtown Santa Fe Walking Tours Set to Resume
Centuries of history unfolded in Santa Fe’s downtown, and museum guides from the New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors are set to resume public walking tours to share those stories with first-time tourists and longtime residents alike. Beginning April 15, every Monday-Saturday at 10:15 a.m., tours begin at the blue gate just south of the History Museum entrance at 113 Lincoln Ave. Cost is $10; children under 17 are free when accompanied by an adult. Museum guides do not accept tips. The tours continue through Oct. 15.