New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum facts for kids
The main building of the museum
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| Established | 1991 |
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| Location | Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Owner | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs |
Have you ever wondered what life was like for farmers and ranchers hundreds or even thousands of years ago? The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is a huge 47-acre (190,000 m2) museum where you can find out! This interactive museum tells the story of New Mexico's 3,000-year history of farming and ranching. It is operated by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, a part of the state government.
Contents
The Museum's Story
The idea for a museum about farming and ranching started back in the 1970s. Two important people, William P. Stephens and Gerald Thomas, led the effort to make it happen. Stephens was once in charge of New Mexico's Department of Agriculture, and Thomas was the president of New Mexico State University.
Their hard work paid off. In 1991, the government of New Mexico passed the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum Act. This law officially created the museum. Construction began in 1995, and the museum opened its doors to everyone in 1998.
What You Can See and Do
The museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces. It has a lot to explore, both inside and outside.
Inside the Main Building
The main building, called the Bruce King Building, has six galleries with exhibits that are always changing. You can see real historic tools that farmers and ranchers used long ago. There are also cool recreated buildings, like an old-fashioned store called a mercantile and a pithouse, which is a type of home built partly underground.
The museum also displays beautiful art. One of the first artists shown was Robert "Shoofly" Shufelt, who is famous for his drawings of cowboy life. Inside the main building, you can also find a gift shop, a snack bar, and a theater for movies and presentations.
Exploring the Museum Grounds
Outside the main building, there's even more to see! The property includes the historic Green Bridge. This bridge is so important that it's on the National Register of Historic Places. It used to be somewhere else, but the museum saved it and moved it here in 2007.
You can also visit several barns, including:
- The Skaggs Dairy Barn
- A Blacksmith Shop where metal tools were made
- The Horse & Cattle Barn
- The Sheep & Goat Barn
- A Greenhouse for growing plants
Best of all, you can see real livestock! The museum is home to cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.
Fun Programs and Events
The museum is a great place to learn, with classes and workshops for all ages. They even have a chuck wagon program that shows how cowboys cooked their meals on the trail.
The museum hosts fun events all year long.
- Cowboy Days: This happens on the first weekend of March and celebrates cowboy culture.
- Ice Cream Sunday: Enjoy a cool treat on the third Sunday in July.
- HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market is held the weekend before Thanksgiving.
See also
- Open-air museum
