Friends of History New Mexico

05/19/2026

After settling in New Mexico in 1923, Amelia Elizabeth White became one of the most influential women in the state. She was a significant landowner, colorful patron of the arts, and committed community activist in Santa Fe for nearly fifty years.
Her impact is still felt to this day though her name doesn’t grace any buildings and there are no plaques acknowledging her philanthropic works. Only a small park she donated bears her name.
Join us in celebrating her life and legacy in the city she loved.

AMELIA ELIZABETH WHITE: The Most Influential Woman in Santa Fe
A New Mexico History & Heritage Lecture by Harry Werksman

Wednesday, June 3 at 1-2:30 pm
New Mexico History Museum Auditorium

Details and tickets at: https://tinyurl.com/4f6rhpea

Harry M. Werksman, Jr. is an award-winning television writer and producer of more than 30 years. He moved to Santa Fe in 2021, where he continues focusing on his great passions – storytelling, history, and contributing to the civic life of his community.

New Mexico History & Heritage Lectures are a public program of Friends of History, a volunteer organization supporting the educational mission of the NM History Museum.

04/16/2026

Friends of History recently presented “Merchants of the Santa Fe Trail,” a public lecture by and conversation with Joy L. Poole, writer and co-founder of the Santa Fe Trail Association.
Spotlighting the lives and adventures of three notable traders, a recording is now available for viewing free on Friends of History’s YouTube channel at: https://tinyurl.com/mr4wcdes
Enjoy it at any time, along with more than 60 past lectures on New Mexican history and heritage.

04/07/2026

Walk through American history older than the USA itself in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Friends of History, the official walking tours and volunteer docents of the New Mexico History Museum, is offering historic walking tours of the nation’s oldest capital city to the public almost daily for eight months this year, from April 1 through November 30.
History buffs and students, writers and artists, educators and travelers of all backgrounds and ages may step into the atmosphere and authentic story of Santa Fe on three, two-hour walking tours for small groups. Friends of History offer a regularly-scheduled walking tour of Historic Downtown, the popular Spies, Assassins, and The Manhattan Project walking tour, and a special Cowboys, Outlaws, and the Wild West walking tour.
Tour guests make up to 30 stops along the two-hour route to rest and take photos while a trained docent shares amazing facts and true stories, shows historic images, and answers questions with genuine knowledge and experience.
Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Santa Fe details including tickets are available at: https://friendsofhistorynm.org/walking-tours/
Ticket proceeds benefit the state museum.

03/11/2026

In the United States in 1850, five hundred wagon loads of merchandise left the Kansas City area and headed west on the Santa Fe Trail. Only five years later, as many as 3,000 wagons, 9,000 men, 6,000 mules and 28,000 oxen carried goods valued at $5,000,000—a figure comparable to over $190 Million today.

Friends of History present
MERCHANTS OF THE SANTA FE TRAIL
A New Mexico History & Heritage Lecture by Joy L. Poole

WED, APRIL 1 at 1-2:30 PM
New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe

Joy Poole is co-founder of the Santa Fe Trail Association, former Deputy State Librarian for the New Mexico State Library, and a writer.
In her illustrated presentation and conversation, she will explore the lives and adventures of three notable Santa Fe traders. You’ll discover how they worked, their interactions with Native Americans, and the challenges of traveling overland. One of them even took his bride on a honeymoon over the trail with 50 men and 500 mules!

Ticket information at: https://tinyurl.com/3cbetmaj

(Photo: Wagon trains, San Francisco Street at Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 1869-1871. Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Joy Poole, Deputy State Librarian (retired) This talk presents the biographies, stories and adventures of three Santa Fe Trail traders.  Learn how

02/17/2026

Friends of History thank everyone who attended the launch of New Mexico History & Heritage Lectures at the NM History Museum in Santa Fe on February 4, 2026.
The sold-event was Rio Grande Weaving: Tradition, History, and Continuity, featuring guest speaker and award-winning artist Irvin L. Trujillo (pictured below at left).
In the one-hour presentation, the master weaver explores the history and styles of Rio Grande weaving, his family’s work in the village of Chimayó, and the serious challenges this living heritage of New Mexico is confronting in the 21st century.
If you missed the sold out event, would like to enjoy it again, or wish to share it with others, a one-hour recording is now available free on our YouTube channel.
Enjoy it now at: https://tinyurl.com/achpaddb

What’s more, you can access a playlist of more than 60 previous talks about the people, places and events that have shaped New Mexico for more four centuries. Recordings are available to everyone.

FRIENDS OF HISTORY
- Explore New Mexico With Us -
https://friendsofhistorynm.org/

02/16/2026

Calling History Buffs & Storytellers!

Become an expert walking tour guide in historic as a volunteer with the New Mexico History Museum's Friends of History.
Use your knowledge and personality to engage guests with insights into the major events, real-life characters, diverse cultures and important landmarks that have shaped Santa Fe and New Mexico for more than 400 years.
As the only guides who are volunteers trained under the auspices of a state museum, you’ll be proud to call yourself a ‘docent.’

Attend a free, no-obligation information session on Zoom is TUESDAY, MARCH 3 at 5:30 to 6:15 PM. Anyone 21 years of age or older with the ability to stand and walk outdoors for two hours is welcome to attend.
Then, you’re welcome to attend a series of three in-person training classes on March 7, 14 and 21 at 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe.

REGISTER TODAY AT: [email protected]
You’ll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link for the info.

01/17/2026

Artists, history lovers, educators, New Mexicans and visitors to Santa Fe are cordially invite you to attend “RIO GRANDE WEAVING: Tradition, History, and Continuity” with IRVIN TRUJILLO, in-person at the New Mexico History Museum on Wednesday, February 4 at 1 p.m.
In the 17th century Spaniards brought with them to New Mexico thousands of churro sheep and a distinctive style of weaving. Wool blankets proved a vital necessity for settlers and, in time, the most popular came to be called the Rio Grande blanket.
Acknowledged as one of the most prominent contemporary weavers in New Mexico, Irvin will explore the history and styles of Rio Grande weaving, the Trujillo Family’s eight generations of work in Chimayó, and the serious challenges this living heritage of New Mexico is confronting in the 21st century.
Advance registrations are required for New Mexico History & Heritage Lectures. Event details and tickets at: https://tinyurl.com/47yt7sum

Friends of History cordially invite you to the inaugural New Mexico History & Heritage Lecture "RIO GRANDE WEAVING: TRADITION, HISTORY, and

12/24/2025

Friends of History announces its return in 2026 to in-person lectures at the New Mexico History Museum.
Every other month, the museum’s auditorium in historic downtown Santa Fe will host a NEW MEXICO HISTORY & HERITAGE LECTURE by a guest speaker exploring an event, place, individual or community that has shaped New Mexico.
New Mexico History & Heritage Lectures are being held the first Wednesday in February, April, June, August, October, and December 2026 at 1 p.m.
A moderated conversation with audience members follows.
Friends of History, a nonprofit organization of volunteers dedicated to supporting the New Mexico History Museum, returns to in-person museum events after pivoting in 2020 to monthly, pre-recorded virtual talks.
Each of the six 60-minute in-person events is recorded live and then posted on the Friends of History’s YouTube channel for history buffs, artists, writers, educators, and New Mexicans everywhere. More than 60 past lectures are already available to watch.
Details and tickets available soon.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year to New Mexicans everywhere.
May your biscochitos be sweet and warm.

11/19/2025

From the early mining camps and trading trails that relied on their strength to the quiet resilience they embody in rural communities today, the b***o has played an outsized role in the history and heritage of New Mexico.
Friends of History presents Shane Weigand in a virtual talk exploring the mighty little b***o’s journey from supporting 16th Century Spanish Conquistadors to present day B***o Racing. Learn about their essential contribution to shaping New Mexico’s economy and culture, their decline with modernization, and their surprising resurgence through heritage races, cultural tourism, and conservation efforts.

FROM MINES TO MAIN STREET: The Enduring Legacy of New Mexico’s B***os
Wed, Dec 3 at 12 Noon (MT) – Only on YouTube

Shane Weigand is a public land manager, backcountry expedition leader, and founder of New Mexico Pack B***os. Dedicated to reviving New Mexico’s mining and trail heritage, he is also a public speaker and the author of Backcountry B***o: Your How-To Guide on Packing with Donkeys in the Backcountry.

Register in advance at: https://tinyurl.com/4a46mjap

(Photo: Shane with his adopted b***o, Comet, from the Wild Horse and B***o program)