Restored 1929 Harvey Car Rolls Into Lobby Of New Mexico History Museum

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on October 15, 2025
- 7:08 am

Historic 1929 brown Cadillac with white convertible top parked on a street with a view of a canyon behind it. Courtesy/Xanterra Travel Collection.

NMHM News:

SANTA FE — A beautifully restored 1929 Cadillac 341-B, one of the original cars from the Harvey Company, rolls into the lobby of the New Mexico History Museum for a pop-up exhibit Oct. 25 – Nov. 9, 2025, in honor of the Fred Harvey History Weekend in November.

The Harvey Car, on loan from Xanterra Travel, is one of the originals from Major Hunter Clarkson and Fred Harvey’s legendary “Indian Detours,” a tour operation that ran from 1926 to the mid-1930s transporting travelers from Santa Fe Railway train stations to attractions throughout the Southwest. These popular tours exposed travelers to Native American arts and crafts and popularized the region as a destination.

“I want to thank Allan Affeldt, owner and restorer of several historic Harvey properties, for the suggestion to display the car, as well as the folks at Xanterra for their willingness to work with us,” said Billy G. Garrett, Executive Director at New Mexico History Museum.

In conjunction with the pop-up exhibit, the History Museum will host a variety of Harvey-related programs during the 16th Annual Fred Harvey History Weekend Nov. 7–9, 2025.

5–6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7—visitors can attend a screening of the acclaimed documentary “The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound.” This program is offered during Palace Avenue First Friday Art Walk and admission is free.
1–2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 9—car expert Winslow Bent will discuss the history and restoration of the Harvey Car that is on display in the museum. The car is currently housed at Grand Canyon National Park where Xanterra Travel offers driving excursions of the South Rim.

While at the museum, visitors can also check out exhibitions connected to Harvey Company history including “Setting the Standard,” “Forks in the Road: A Diner’s Guide to New Mexico,” and “18 Miles and That’s As Far As it Got: The Lamy Branch of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad.”

In addition to these programs, the History Museum will host lectures as part of the Fred Harvey History Weekend. Lectures are held 12–5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7 and Saturday, Nov. 8, in the auditorium. Speakers include Kathleen Dull, librarian and archivist at the History Museum, Stephen Fried, bestselling author and Harvey Weekend co-founder, and Harvey family descendants, among many others. Tickets to attend the Harvey lectures in-person are $60 and $25 to attend virtually. Find more information and tickets online.