Taos Museums and Historic Sites, a selection of Twelve
The following is a list of a few of the recommended Museums & Sites here in Taos, NM. Most are fairly self explanatory, self guiding (one is by appointment only, another is not open to the public but you are allowed to wander the grounds there). There are however many ‘Off the Beaten Track’ type of historic sites around Taos, which I do offer tours of. I’ve also included a couple of books for each place which may be valuable to those of you who would like to know more. We try to keep these books in stock at Two Graces, 135 North Plaza, Taos. The best book about all things Taos and a flavor of this wonderful place.
“A Taos Mosaic” Claire Morrill
Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, 227 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte, Taos 575-758-2690
With the addition of a new wing there are now three separate components to the Taos Art Museum. The entryway is now through the new wing which is featuring installations selected from the permanent collections. Inside the main house exhibitions tend to include artworks by Nicolai Fechin where you’ll notice his carved additions to the house itself. At the back garden is the Fechin studio where the gift shop is located and the actual studio space which has been featuring exhibitions of local contemporary New Mexico artists.
“Fechin the Builder” Aya Fechin
“Nicolai Fechin" Mary Balcomb
Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux Street, Taos 575-758-9826
The Museum features a room of paintings by Agnes Martin which has become a destination for contemporary art lovers. The downstairs level has a rotating selection of Taos Society of Artists and Taos Moderns, a new wing features rotating exhibits. Upstairs features some of the historic Spanish Colonial retablos and bultos along with carvings by Patricino Barela, there are two other spaces on this second level that are utilized to show Contemporary Art of Taos and rotating featurettes.
“Taos Artists and Their Patrons” Dean Porter
“Agnes Martin Pioneer, Painter, Icon” Henry Martin
Couse-Sharp Historic Site & Lunder Research Center, 146 & 138 Kit Carson Road, Taos 575-751-0369
This historic site tends to be by appointment only for a tour of the collections. However the Lunder Research Center has been featuring well curated exhibitions in its gallery space. There are also exhibits in the Luna Chapel from time to time which can be available for viewing by asking at the Lunder.
“Taos Society of Artists” Robert White
“Paintbrushes and Pistols” Ted Schwartz
Millicent Rogers Museum, 1504 Millicent Rogers Rd, El Prado 575-758-2462
Featuring collections of Jewelry, Pueblo Pottery, Native Basketry, NM Weavings, Spanish Colonial Artworks and a rotating exhibition program the museum has an entire wing dedicated to the Black Pueblo Pottery of Maria Martinez and her family. It is a finely curated selection of the arts & crafts of northern New Mexico.
“A Life in Full Millicent Rogers” Bachrach, Murphy & Nasse
“Searching for Beauty Millicent Rogers” Cherie Burns
The Kit Carson House & Museum, 113 Kit Carson Rd, Taos 575-758-4945
As a destination for scholars and lovers of the Historic Old West the Carson House may just be the most popular museum in Taos. The buildings seem to be finally receiving some much needed TLC along with better displays of historic artifacts.
“Blood and Thunder” Hampton Sides
“Kit Carson Autobiography” Kit Carson
Ernest L. Blumenschein Historic Home Museum, 222 Ledoux St, Taos 575-758-0505
Visitors to Taos may not have this museum on their to do list, however that’s a mistake. This home is a self guided treasure chest of the life of an artist and his family in Taos. Artworks featured in this house are a true history of how friendships and support among the artists of Taos grew an art colony together.
“Ernest L. Blumenschein” Robert & Carole Larson
“Sights and Sounds of Taos Valley” Helen Greene Blumenschein
Hacienda de los Martinez Historic Home & Museum, 708 Hacienda Road, Taos 575-758-1000
Without a doubt the Martinez Hacienda is the go to place for a dose of Hispanic life in Taos. Entryway doors through the two placita areas lead to rooms that are full of artifacts that supported a thriving Hispanic community. This is a taste of what Taos has been about for centuries since the settlement of the Spanish Colonists.
“Death Comes for the Archbishop” Willa Cather
“Padre Martinez: New Perspectives From Taos” A.E. Mares
Governor Bent Museum, 117A Bent Street, Taos 575-758-2376
Perhaps the most unusual ‘museum’ in the Taos Historic District, this place comes as close to a Cabinet of Curiosities as you’ll find here in northern New Mexico.
“Revolt at Taos” James Crutchfield
“Cabinet of Curiosities” Patrick Mauries
Taos Pueblo, 120 Veterans Highway, Taos 575-758-1028
The Village of the original people of Taos sits on each side of the Rio Pueblo, you’ll notice the magnificent multi storied adobe structures. Today there are gift shops inside many of the ground floor buildings at the back of which are often living quarters. This is a living Native American community where people have lived continuously for 1,000 years, please be respectful to the community during your time here. Although this is not a museum, there is an admission fee which you’ll pay at the visitor center near the parking areas.
“Taos Pueblo” Elsie Clews Parsons
“The Man Who Killed the Deer” Frank Waters
San Francisco de Asis Church, 60 St. Francis Plaza, Ranchos de Taos 575-758-2754
This grand monument is an active Catholic Church best known for the many photographs and paintings of its enormous back buttresses. The interior features Bulto carvings of Saints made by historic local craftspeople along with the most magnificent altar (reredo) screen at the right side nave. (No Admission Fee)
“Centuries of Hands” Van Dorn Hooker
“Spirit & Vision” D’Emilio, Campbell, Kessell
Mabel Dodge Luhan House, 240 Morada Lane, Taos 575-758-9686
Morada de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Historic Site Penitente Lane, Taos
The Luhan house hosted many grand salons and parties during its 100 year time frame. Today it is a B&B and artist workshop retreat center, visitors are allowed to wander midday for a few hours.
At the nearby Penitente Morada you may wander around outside or starting at the larger black cross choose to walk the Stations of the Cross right of way which is a fenced in lane taking you to a large mounted white cross, (rocks at the right side of the path mark each of the 14 stations). (No Admission Fee)
“Winter in Taos” Mabel Dodge Luhan
“Mabel Dodge Luhan and Company” Lois Rudnick
D.H. Lawrence Ranch, 506 DH Lawrence Road, Taos 575-776-2245
In 1922 & 1924 DH Lawrence lived at a ranch in Taos near the outlier village of San Cristobal where he wrote and edited some of his books and poetry. When his wife Frieda moved back to Taos she had a new house built on the property until later moving closer into the town of Taos proper. Frieda and DH Lawrence are buried on a hill at the ranch which is a pilgrimage site for writers and admirers from all over the world. The ranch is open midweek to the public for very minimal hours, check ahead. (No Admission Fee)
“DH Lawrence in New Mexico” Arthur Bachrach
“A Poet and Two Painters” Knud Merrild
Taos can be a sleepy hamlet of a village during the Winter months (typically November - March) thus many of these places change to limited Winter Hours. Please research visiting hours before you plan your itinerary. Please be supportive of the shops and museums here in Taos, Two Graces strives to be an authentic and informative store here at Taos Plaza.
