New Mexico History Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
New Mexico History Museum's roots date back to 1909 when it was established in the Palace of Governors. It moved into to its current building in 2009.
Exhibits in the New Mexico History Museum
Fray Angelico Chavez History Library
The Palace Press
Native American artisans displaying their work
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Spanish exploration of the area began in 1536 with the expedition of Cabeza de Vaca. Spain establishes settlements throughout the late 1500’s. In c.1610 Governor Pedro de Peralta founds Santa Fe and builds the Palace of the Governors. The building housed the seat of government until 1909. In 1680 the Pueblo Revolt occurs, Spanish missionaries were targeted and many were killed. Spanish settlers leave the region and do not return for twelve years. Diego de Vargas resettles Santa Fe in 1693. Wars between natives rage between Pueblos, Navajos, Apaches, and Commanches. Spanish control continued until 1821.2
Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico allows trade along the Santa Fe Trail, Spain had kept the colony closed to outsiders. In 1837 the Chimayó revolt leads to violence in Santa Fe. Forces from Texas failed in her attempt to capture New Mexico in 1841.3 War between the U.S. and Mexico started in 1846, and the U.S. sent a force under Stephen W. Kearny to take control of Santa Fe and New Mexico. Kearny entered Santa Fe, without incident, on August 18, 1846 and the era of U.S. control began.4
New Mexico benefits from a wide range of cultural influences. Native nations from the Chaco Civilizations, to the Apaches, Pueblos, and Navajos have each contributed to New Mexico’s culture. One feature of the New Mexico History Museum is the Portal Native Americans Artisan Program. Native artisans present their works on the front porch of the Palace of the Governors.5 One of the museum's better-known exhibits is the Segesser Hide Paintings.6 The paintings were made by an unknown artist between 1720 and 1758, and depict battles between Spanish forces and native groups. A Jesuit priest living in the American southwest sent three hides to his brother in Switzerland in 1758. Philipp von Segesser von Brunegg had acquired the hide paintings sometime before 1758. They remained the property of the Segesser family until the New Mexico History Museum acquired them in 1988.7