Schedules are subject to change, and new events may be added on short notice.
Call (970) 882-5600 for latest information.

Exhibit Schedule | Event Schedule

 COMING SPECIAL EXHIBITS 

SPECIAL EXHIBIT GALLERY:  Through October 31, 2009

THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL: CONDUIT FOR CHANGE 

"The longest, crookedest, most arduous pack-mule trail in the history of America" was explored by Spanish pathfinders in 1776 to link the colonial settlements of Santa Fé (New Mexico) with Los Ángeles (California).

Based on an ancient network of Native American paths, this trail was the first successful Euro-American effort to connect the Mexican frontier provinces of New Mexico and California. During the 19th century the trail became a commercial lifeline that ran 1,200 miles through high mountains, arid desert, and deep canyons. It is among our nation's least-known but most historically important routes.

Between 1830 and 1848, traders took woolen goods west over the trail by mule train, and returned east with California mules and horses for the New Mexico and Missouri markets.  After the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), new wagon roads on competing routes largely ended use of the trail. 

In 2002 the Old Spanish Trail became the 15th National Historic Trail in the National Trails System.

This outstanding exhibition features old Spanish and Mexican artifacts, and historic images that illuminate a dramatic story. 

“The Old Spanish Trail: A Conduit for Change” was organized and developed by the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado in conjunction with the Old Spanish Trail Association, and made possible in part by a grant from the NPS National Trails System Office in Santa Fe. 

For more information from the Old Spanish Trail Association, click here 

ON EXHIBIT in our
MULTI-USE ROOM:

"AMERICA'S PRICELESS HERITAGE"

A collection of large-format photographs of places protected and preserved by the Department of the Interior for their paleontological, archaeological, and/or historic value.

Produced by the Smithsonian Institution.

E V E N T S

 MUSEUM DAY, September 26

Museum entry is free, all day 

The Anasazi Heritage Center will offer free admission in honor of the fifth annual National Museum Day. Museum Day is a celebration of culture, learning, and the dissemination of knowledge in the spirit of Smithsonian Institution, based in Washington, DC. Last year, over 200,000 people attended Museum Day at 900 museums nationwide. Over 1,000 museums are expected to participate this year. They will offer free admission to anyone presenting a Museum Day Admission Card, which is found in the September 2009 issue of Smithsonian Magazine. The card also can be downloaded from the web site www.smithsonian.com/museumday. However, the card will not be required for free admission to the Anasazi Heritage Center on September 26.

 

                 

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