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Harwood Foundation facts for kids

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Harwood Foundation
Taos Harwood Museum.jpg
Harwood Museum of Art
Harwood Foundation is located in New Mexico
Harwood Foundation
Location in New Mexico
Location 238 Ledoux St.,
Taos, New Mexico
Area 0.8 acres (0.32 ha)
Built 1861 (1861)
Architect Abe Bowring
Architectural style Pueblo, Spanish Pueblo Revival
NRHP reference No. 76001200
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
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.

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.

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