Press Releases

Lincoln, NM – There’s a new manager in town! New Mexico Historic Sites has brought on Oliver Horn as regional manager for Lincoln Historic Site (LHS) and Fort Stanton Historic Site (FSHS). Horn is a familiar face for members of these communities—in 2022, he was a crucial part of the team that worked on Fort Stanton Historic Site’s Cultural Landscape Report that sets the groundwork for the site’s historic preservation efforts. Now, as regional manager, he has the responsibility of following up on that report’s recommendations for FSHS as well as guiding daily operations, interpretation, preservation, and more at both historic sites. He started his new role on Monday, October 2. 

“During his work on the CLR, I knew that Oliver had the knowledge and passion for the history of these sites necessary to succeed,” said Patrick Moore, executive director of New Mexico Historic Sites. “We are remarkably fortunate to have someone with his experience across exhibition content, historic preservation, and education on our team. I’m ecstatic to see what accomplishes in Lincoln and Fort Stanton.” 

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work on Lincoln and Fort Stanton Historic Sites, two of the most historically rich and significant sites in New Mexico,” said Horn. “I believe they are essential to understanding the history of our state, and I hope to help raise broader public awareness of their importance. I also look forward to engaging members of the surrounding communities who are passionate and knowledgeable about the sites.” 

Horn grew up in Albuquerque and has more than a decade of experience producing historical narratives about New Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in U.S. International History from Georgetown University. His master’s thesis, “The New Mexico Volunteers: Empire, Colonialism, and the Civil War,” explores how Hispano and Puebloan soldiers played a decisive role in consolidating U.S. control of the Southwest and served as a model for subsequent indigenous constabulary forces in the Philippines and Central America.   

He taught Latin American History and International Affairs at Western Carolina University from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, he returned to New Mexico and co-founded Sunmount Consulting in Santa Fe, where he made significant contributions to New Mexico’s approach to historic preservation.  

From 2022 to 2023, he oversaw the production of the recent Fort Stanton Cultural Landscape Report for NMHS and New Mexico Historic Preservation Division. In 2022, he also worked with the New Mexico Humanities Council to conduct a cultural needs assessment of communities affected by the 2022 wildfires, which included extensive historical research and engagement with land grant communities and the Mescalero Apache. From 2021 to 2022, he also coauthored the most recent New Mexico Historic Preservation Plan, called “Preserving the Enchantment: New Mexico Historic Preservation Plan 2022-2031.” In addition, he has experience creating interpretive materials, writing historic nominations, and evaluating the historic integrity of buildings for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private clients. 

About New Mexico Historic Sites   New Mexico Historic Sites is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its donors. The New Mexico Historic Sites system was established in 1931 by an Act for the Preservation of the Scientific Resources of New Mexico. The eight Historic Sites include Coronado, Fort Selden, Fort Stanton, Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site, Jemez, Lincoln, and Los Luceros.