NORTHERN exposure
Santa Fe museums offer something for everyone
In Santa Fe, there’s a little joke about a vortex drawing people here. I say it’s a little joke because many people half-believe it.
Whether the appeal of Santa Fe is a vortex or the many museums, art scene, or charming downtown area, it’s hard to know for sure. A good start to answering that question is a day trip to Santa Fe to visit a few museums.
To get the best information, I turned to an expert on Santa Fe museums. Jamie Clements, the president and CEO of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, notes that “Santa Fe is home to 10 museums, which is remarkable for a town of 70,000 inhabitants.” Because his nonprofit organization supports the four state museums in Santa Fe, it’s hard for him to pick the best one. Kind of like asking which child is your favorite.
Two for one
Clements suggests basing your visit on your particular interests. He points out a few of the best attractions of these museums.
The New Mexico History Museum campus, located downtown in the Plaza area, has the unique feature of the 400-year-old Palace of the Governors. The Palace of the Governors is a popular site because it’s the oldest continuously occupied government building in the country. With a visit to the New Mexico History Museum, you get two experiences: the museum and seeing the Native American artists who display their creations under the portal of the Palace of the Governors.
Also downtown is the New Mexico Museum of Art, which is celebrating its centennial this year. Unfortunately, if you’re visiting in October, it will be closed for renovation but it’s a good one to put on your list for future visits.
Museum Hill
Clements suggests a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art, which is the largest museum of its kind in the world. Conveniently, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is located nearby on Museum Hill. Although not downtown, this picturesque area boasts four world-class museums, a popular museum shop and a café.
When visiting the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture a few years ago, I was struck by the amazing views from the top of Museum Hill. The scenery was almost as captivating as the museums.
Equally captivating is the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Don’t forget to take a few moments to “smell the
flowers.” The Garden, located on 14 acres, has four different garden areas.
And don’t forget there’s another museum devoted to Native American collections, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. This museum, founded in 1937, is New Mexico’s oldest, nonprofit museum. Admission is free the first Sunday of every month.
Off the beaten path
Every month, a variety of events take place at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, a unique “living history” museum.
It’s on the outskirts of town, 20 minutes south of the Santa Fe Plaza, but it’s worth a visit to experience 18th- and 19th-century New Mexico.
The focus is on displaying the history, heritage, and culture of New Mexico’s past.
Other worldly
A newer addition to Santa Fe’s collection, Meow Wolf is a must-see.
They bill themselves as “an explorable, immersive art installation” but all who visit say it’s much more than that. Don’t expect the traditional or the stodgy.
With a large community of local artists inspiring this experience and a benefactor by the name of George R.R. Martin, you won’t be disappointed … and you just may wonder if those vortex comments are true.