New Mexico Historic Preservation Division facts for kids

The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division is a part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. It's like a special team that works to protect and save New Mexico's old and important places. They make sure that buildings, sites, and objects from the past are kept safe for everyone to learn from and enjoy.

What They Do to Protect History

The division has several important jobs to help keep New Mexico's history alive.

• Finding and Listing Important Places: The division finds and writes down information about old places. These can be very old sites from prehistoric times or historic buildings. They help get these places listed on special lists, like the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Cultural Properties. Keeping records of these places helps with planning and learning.
• Helping People Save History: They offer different ways to help people pay for preserving old places. This includes special programs that can give money or tax help to owners who want to fix up historic buildings.
• Giving Advice and Support: The division gives advice and help to government groups, local towns, and even private owners. This advice helps them understand how to best protect historical sites.
• Making and Following Rules: They make sure that rules about protecting historical places are followed. They also help other groups and towns create their own rules to keep history safe.
• Teaching About the Past: The division creates fun and interesting programs to teach people about New Mexico's history. They want everyone to understand why it's so important to save our heritage.