Kit Carson House facts for kids
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Kit Carson House
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Front of the house, HABS photo 1936
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 Location in New Mexico
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kit Carson Ave., Taos, New Mexico |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial; Territorial |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000948 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | May 23, 1963 |
The Kit Carson House is a historic house museum located at 113 Kit Carson Road in central Taos, New Mexico. Built in 1825, this house was the home of famous American frontiersman Kit Carson (1809-1868) from 1843 until his death. It is a great example of Spanish Colonial architecture. Today, a local group called the Masonic fraternity owns the house. They operate it as a museum that teaches visitors about Kit Carson's life. In 1963, the house was recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
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Exploring the Kit Carson House and Its History
The Kit Carson House is just a short walk east of Taos's main plaza. You can find it on the north side of Kit Carson Road. It's a simple, single-story building made of adobe bricks. Adobe is a natural building material made from earth, water, and straw. The house was built in 1825 and has a U-shape that faces east, with a central open courtyard. The oldest parts of the house are the three front rooms and the room next to them on the north side.
Kit Carson grew up in the American West. He became well-known as a fur trapper and a guide. He helped many United States Army expeditions and also served during the American Civil War. In 1843, Kit Carson married Josefa Jaramillo. She came from an important family in Taos. After they married, they bought this house. It was their main home until 1868. They were away from the house for some years when Carson was working elsewhere. In early 1868, the family moved to the Colorado Territory, where both Kit and Josefa passed away.
After Kit Carson's death in 1868, the house had several different owners. It fell into disrepair and was not well-maintained. Then, in 1910, a local group called Bent Lodge #42 bought the property. This group was actually started by Kit Carson himself! In 1952, the Kit Carson Memorial Foundation Inc. was created. Their goal was to fix up and restore the house. The foundation now runs the property as a house-museum. Visitors can take tours, buy souvenirs, and learn all about Kit Carson's adventures.
What You'll See Inside the Museum
The Kit Carson House is decorated and furnished in the Spanish Colonial Style. Most of the rooms have been carefully restored. They look as close as possible to how they would have looked when Kit Carson lived there. The restoration even includes real copies of furniture from that time period.
You'll also find several items connected to Kit Carson and his family throughout the house. These include a copy of his .50 caliber rifle and a United States Army sword with its case. You can also see Josefa's sewing box.
The museum offers a full guided tour. This tour tells visitors about Carson's life, his death, and his important achievements. One of the first things you'll do on the tour is watch a 20-minute video from the History Channel. It's all about Kit Carson and what he accomplished. The tour often ends at the nearby Kit Carson Memorial State Park. This is where Kit Carson and his wife, Josefa, are buried. The house also has a gift shop and bookstore. These shops help support the museum and its mission.
Recognitions and Awards
The Kit Carson House has received special recognition for its history and preservation efforts:
- In July 1963, the National Park Service officially approved the Kit Carson House for National Historic Landmark Status. This means it's a very important historic place in the United States.
- In October 1963, the Kit Carson Memorial Foundation Inc. received an Award of Merit from the AASLH. This award recognized their hard work in preserving and restoring the Kit Carson House.
See also
