Harwood Foundation facts for kids
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Harwood Foundation
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Harwood Museum of Art
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 Location in New Mexico
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| Location | 238 Ledoux St., Taos, New Mexico |
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | Abe Bowring |
| Architectural style | Pueblo, Spanish Pueblo Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001200 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1976 |
The Harwood Foundation is a special place in Taos, New Mexico. It's a non-profit organization, which means it works for a good cause instead of making money. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important buildings and sites that are worth protecting because of their history.
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History of the Harwood Foundation
The Harwood Foundation was started in Taos, New Mexico, in 1923. It was founded by Elizabeth Harwood, whose husband Burritt Harwood had passed away. She worked with local business people and artists from Taos.
Founders and Their Vision
Elizabeth Harwood's partners included:
- Artist Bert Geer Phillips
- Doctor Thomas "Doc" Martin
- Artist Victor Higgins
- B.G. Randall
- William M. Fayne
Their big idea was to create a place with a library, a cultural center, and an art center. These would all be in a group of buildings called El Pueblito. Burritt and Elizabeth Harwood bought these buildings between 1916 and 1924.
The El Pueblito Buildings
The El Pueblito buildings were made of adobe. Adobe is a natural building material made from earth and organic materials. The buildings were inspired by the Taos Pueblo architecture, which uses traditional building styles of the Pueblo people.
The first home the Harwoods bought had a long history. It was once owned by Smith H. Simpson. He worked for Kit Carson during a military campaign. Simpson bought the home in 1861. When he passed away, the house became available for the Harwoods to buy in 1916.
Partnership with the University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico became a partner of the foundation in 1929. They worked together until 1937, when the University took over ownership. Elizabeth Harwood continued to live in the complex until she passed away in 1938.
Becoming the Harwood Museum of Art
In 1998, the town's library moved to a different spot. After that, the building officially became the Harwood Museum of Art. Today, it continues to be an important cultural and art center in Taos.
