Upcoming Museum Events
Monthly Speaker Series
Held at 7pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month, our Speaker Series features a wide variety of topics discussing the history of Sierra County. There is no admission fee, but donations are always welcome.
February 18, 2010:
An Overview of Bookbinding. Award-winning bookbinder Priscilla Spitler will present an historic overview of an ancient craft that has adapted and survived for centuries. Spitler is the owner of Hands On Bookbinding in Truth or Consequences.
March 18, 2010:
Turn-of-the-Century Ranching Music.
April 15, 2010:
Half a Century of Fiesta Memories - a panel of past Fiesta queens, parade marshalls, and event coordinators
May 20, 2010:
New Deal Public Art & Public Structures - Celebrating 75 Years
June 17, 2010:
Warm Springs Apaches of Southern New Mexico
July 15, 2010:
Ranch life in early Sierra County.
August 19, 2010:
Historic Bath Houses of Sierra County
September 16, 2010:
Matanzas - A Traditional Hispanic Custom
October 21, 2010:
Building of the Elephant Butte Dam
November 18, 2010:
Civil Aviation History - a preview and overview of a new local resource
New Harmonies Music Series
The Smithsonian Museum's traveling "New Harmonies" exhibit will make its first stop in the state at our Museum, beginning on March 13, 2010 and continuing for 6 weeks.
The New Harmonies exhibit provides a fascinating, inspiring, and toe-tapping history of American music in all of its forms. America is the birthplace of more music than any place on earth and what better way to celebrate this heritage than by telling the story of our musical roots. The exhibit is full of surprises about familiar songs, histories of instruments, the roles of religion and technology, and the continuity of musical roots from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to the latest hip hop CD.
Annual Museum Events
February
The annual Historical Society dinner, a fundraiser for the Museum, includes a program about some facet of New Mexico history that would be of interest to the general public. Tickets are available at the Museum or through Historical Society members starting in January.
April
Tour of the historic Armendaris Ranch to the Fra Cristobal Mountains, scheduled approximately every other year. This tour transports guests high into the Fra Cristobals (east of Elephant Butte Lake). Departs the Museum at 1:00 pm and returns approximately 10:00 pm. While en route to a sweeping view of the Rio Grande Valley, big horn sheep, antelope, oryx, and bison may be spotted, and sightings of miscellaneous small animals and a variety of birds are guaranteed. Cost of this tour is a $150.00 donation to the Museum. Lunch, soft drinks and water are provided. Four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are required, and transportation will be provided if participants do not have the acceptable vehicles. Advance registration and further information may be obtained from Geronimo Springs Museum at 575-894-6600.
May
Open House on Fiesta weekend, with live music and demonstrations of various types of arts and crafts including wood carving, types of painting, weaving, etc. Food and drink (including our ever-popular Sarsaparilla) is for sale on the windmill patio.
Tour of the historic Armendaris Ranch to the northern end at Black Mesa. This is an all day tour leaving the Museum at 8:00 am and returning to the Museum approximately 6:00 pm. The tour goes north along the historic Camino Real route, with lunch on top of Black Mesa with a view overlooking the Rio Grande valley across from Ft. Craig. North of Black Mesa the visitor will see the Val Verde battlefield, site of one of the major far west battles of the Civil War. Cost of this tour is a $150.00 donation to the Museum. Lunch, soft drinks and water are provided. Four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are required, and transportation will be provided if participants do not have the acceptable vehicles. Advance registration and further information may be obtained from Geronimo Springs Museum at 575-894-6600.
June
Tour to the bat caves on the historic Armendaris Ranch. This tour leaves the Museum at 1:00 pm and returns approximately 10:00 pm. A side trip on the ranch allows participants to see the bison and various wildlife on the ranch and learn a little about the ranch operation. Supper is served at the bat cave site, and the flight of hundreds of thousands of bats is spectacular. Cost of this tour is a $150.00 donation to the Museum. Supper, soft drinks and water are provided. Four-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are required, and transportation will be provided if participants do not have the acceptable vehicles. Advance registration and further information may be obtained from Geronimo Springs Museum at 575-894-6600.
