Top Five Must-See Santa Fe Museums
Indian art, Hispanic history, folk art and fine art are all on show
Jun 25, 2007
Santa Fe, New Mexico's vibrant capital city, is a showcase for the creative arts and stunning architecture of the Southwest. These top five museums reveal the city's special blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures, with displays ranging from traditional American Indian art to Spanish colonial history to international folk art and famous painters such as Georgia O'Keeffe.
Palace of the Governors. The historic adobe building on the north side of the Plaza, Santa Fe's main central square, was built in 1610. Originally home to the governors of the Spanish colony, it was the seat of regional government for the next 300 years. It is the oldest continually occupied public building in the country.
Today it houses a fascinating history museum that tells the story of life in New Mexico from 1540 and the start of the Spanish Colonial period to World War II. The hardships of life on the frontier are seen through such relics as a "mud wagon" stagecoach and a rawhide violin. The Segesser Hide Paintings are a rare depiction of Spanish colonial life, done on bison hide. The Art of Ancient America exhibition contains superb examples of pre-Columbian ceramic art. Docents give free museum tours daily. Call (505) 476-5100 to check the schedule.
Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. Located a short drive from the center at the Museum Plaza, this impressive museum has an even older story to tell. Its main exhibit, Here, Now and Always, recounts some 2000 years of Native American history in the words of Native Americans themselves.
After entering a dark passageway to the sound of a running river, visitors listen to the voices of Navajo, Pueblo, Hopi and other community guides explaining their traditions and beliefs. Exhibits of pottery, blankets, tools, petroglyphs, musical instruments and artifacts are on display.
Museum of International Folk Art. Next door to the above museum, this delightful collection of traditional folk art is the largest of its kind. It contains miniature European theaters, toys, dolls, paper cuts, textiles, costumes and more from every corner of the globe. The Hispanic Heritage wing has a superb collection of Spanish Colonial art and everyday objects.
The museum's highlight is the Girard Collection, with thousands of small, painted figures and objects arranged in dozens of scenes showing life in a variety of countries. Sprawling markets, vignettes of baptisms and wakes, festival celebrations and back-alley cock fights are among the lively scenes depicted. Plan to spend some time here, as the scenes are captivating and attention to detail is much rewarded.
Museum of Fine Arts. New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, has long been known for its thriving arts scene. Its impressive legacy is on display in a beautiful Pueblo Revival-style building, next to the Palace of the Governors. The interior decor of square beams and hand-carved and painted features complement the collection of Southwestern art dating from the 19th century onwards.
The museum has more than 7,000 pieces in its permanent collection, which are displayed on rotation along with temporary exhibitions. A long-running exhibition (until April 2010) is entitled How the West is One and features the art of New Mexico, focusing on the influences of its multi-ethnic background.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. The most famous of all New Mexico's artists, Georgia O'Keeffe spent much of her life at her home in Abiquiu. Opened a decade ago in 1997, this museum is the only one in the world with a substantial collection of her works. Along with Jimson Weed, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico and other well-known paintings, her sculpture, drawings and lesser known works, such as paintings of New York, are also on display.
Apart from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, these museums are part of the Museum of New Mexico. For current opening times and prices, click here.
For more information about Santa Fe's historic missions and churches, click here.
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