About the Historical Society of New Mexico
The Historical Society of New Mexico, founded in 1859, is among the oldest cultural and historical organizations in the state. Established in the years before New Mexico achieved statehood, it has long been dedicated to studying, preserving, and promoting the rich and layered history of the region, where Native, Hispanic, and later Anglo-American cultures have met and shaped one another over centuries. The society is based in Santa Fe, the historic capital that has been a center of New Mexican life for generations.
Rather than operating as a single museum, the society advances its mission through scholarship, publication, and public programming. It encourages historical research and writing about New Mexico and provides a forum for historians, students, and enthusiasts to share their work and findings about the state's past.
Programs and Publications
The society supports the study of New Mexico history in several ways, including:
- Publishing La Crónica de Nuevo México, the society's journal of historical articles and news.
- Promoting state history through lectures, programs, and educational outreach.
- Encouraging research and writing on New Mexico's diverse cultural heritage.
- Maintaining resources that connect members and the public to the state's history.
Planning Your Visit
The Historical Society of New Mexico is a Santa Fe-based membership and publishing organization rather than a walk-in museum, and it receives mail at a post-office box in Santa Fe. For information on membership, programs, meetings, and its publications, visit the official website at www.hsnm.org.
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