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A Place for Culture and the Arts
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In the historic 1797 home of artists Ernest and Mary Blumenschein, now a musuem, you can visit the collection of the family's art and representative works of other famous Taos artists. Their love for the southwest landscape which they first saw in 1898, and the cultures in the Taos valley are reflected in their work. The home contains their many antiques both Europen and Spanish Colonial style and showcases the lifestyle enjoyed by the Taos artists in the first half of the century.
It is due to their encouragement that the Taos Society of Artists was established.
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A wealthy New York socialite and Standard Oil heiress, Millicent Rogers came to Taos in 1947. She was an avid collector of silver, turquoise jewelry, and Navajo weavings and gradually developed the fashion of dress known as the "Santa Fe Style".
The museum has collections of Hispanic arts, pottery including the work of the famous potter, Maria Martinez, Native American figures, modern jerelry designs, sculpture, painting, and Spanish Colonial furniture.
Visit the Museum Store for one-of-a-kind jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, graphics and photography by leading artists of the region.
Open 10-5 daily. Closed Mondays Nov - Mar. Fee charged. Four miles north of Taos.
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Within walking distance of the Taos Plaza, this art museum is the second oldest in the state, founded in 1923. The collection includes paintings on wood (retablos), sculptures by Patrocino Barela, works by Ernest Blumenschein, paintings by Agnes Martin, and many others. There are Changing Exhibitions, Lectures, Tours, and a Museum Shop.
Open Tues-Sat, 10-5, Sunday, 12-5, closed Mondays. Fee charges..
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One of the many artists to move to Taos during the 1920s was Nicolai Fechin who relocated from his home country of Russia. He was a talented woodcarver who had learned from his father. His reputation grew through his participation in international shows starting in 1910.
In 1923 he was invited to New York by American art patrons and in 1926, friends showed him the American West. He relocated to Taos the next year.
The museum is located in his adobe home. He reconstructed the interior of the home and crafted the furniture, the doors, and the windows. You will see his wood carvings, paintings, sculptures, and other collections. Other artists are also featured.
Open Wed - Sun 10-2 during the summer. Fee charged.
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Built in 1804 before the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, this "Great House" was built like a fortress with thick adobe walls. It became an important trade center for the northern boundary of the Spanish Empire and the final stop for the Camino Real connecting northern New Mexico to Mexico City.
Severino Martin (later Martinez) built the house and raised his six children in the Hacienda. One of his sons was the famous Padre Antonio Martinez who fought to preserve the Hispanic character of the Catholic Church in the Taos area. The French Bishop Lamy in Santa Fe opposed him.
With the opening of the Santa Fe Trail in 1821, the family became very active in trade with the Americans.
You can visit this Hacienda today. It has 21 rooms surrounding two courtyards. There are also demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts of the area.
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Raft the Class IV rapids of the Taos Box
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Ski the many areas in the Taos area - Red River, Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, and Sipapu Ski Area
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Hike the trails in the Wild Rivers Recreation Area
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See cascading waterfalls by hiking the alpine trails in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area
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Drive "The Enchanted Circle", about a 2 hour drive from Taos north on Hwy 522 to Questa, the Hwy 38 east to Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire. Finally take Hwy 64 west back to Taos. See 13,161 foot Wheeler Peak, quaint villages, the Red River Fish Hatchery, Eagle Nest Lake, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial near Angel Fire.
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Take a Llama expedition through the Taos mountains. There are half day, all day, and multi-day treks from which to choose.
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A Place to explore History
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Taos Pueblo has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark.
In the mid 1300s, Tiwi speaking people settled into the area of Taos Pueblo. Most likely the main part of the buildings were constructed between this time and 1450. Two of the structures in the pueblo which still remain, the north house and the south house, are considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the US.
In 1540, Hernando de Alvarado led a party of Spanish conquistadors into Taos. They were searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. It was believed by some of these explorers that the Taos Pueblo was one of these seven cities.
During the early 1600s, Fray Pedro de Miranda built a mission near the Pueblo. It was then that Spanish colonists began to settle in the area. The first church was then built on the west side of the village.
Rebellion against the Spanish rulers centered in Taos and in 1680 a revolt directed by Pope from Taos drove the Spanish settlers and rulers to a province south of El Paso. The church was burned during this war. However, the Spanish moved back into New Mexico within 12 years.
Taos Pueblo is situated the furthest north of the 19 New Mexico Pueblos. There are now about 150 people who live full time in the pueblo. Those who have homes in the north or south buildings have summer homes near the fields. In all, about 1900 live on the lands that are part of the Taos Pueblo.
Visit the many artisans at the pueblo who sell their wares at individually owned curio shops within the Pueblo. You can find mica-flecked pottery, silver jewelry, and many leather goods such as moccasins, boots, and drums.
The Pueblo is opened most days from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM except when tribal rituals are held and for 10 weeks during the late winter.
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The adobe home of Kit Carson, built in 1825 and purchased in 1843 as a wedding present for his bride, Maria Josefa Jaramillo, is now a museum of his life and an life during the frontier days of Taos.
Kit Carson came to Taos as a young man in 1826 having joined a wagon train west from Missouri where he left his apprenticeship to follow his dream. Having a natural skill with languages, he became a translator for a wagon train to Chihuahua.
He became a trapper and mountain man next before he made a name for himself as a scout for the scientific and mapping expeditions of John Fremont.
Carson served as an Indian agent during the late 1850s and starting in 1861 became a military officer serving in the Civil War and the army campaigns of the Indian wars later.
Visit the Kit Carson Home and Museum located 1/2 block from Taos Plaza. Summer hours are 9-5 daily from April to October. Call for winter hours.
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