History

NMMNHS Family Days To Be Held At Albuquerque Museum

by

NMMNHS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science’s (NMMNHS) Family Days are returning this fall on the second Saturday of each month, with help from their neighbors at the Albuquerque Museum (2000 Mountain Rd. NW)!

During the museum’s renovation project, NMMNHS monthly family days are shifting to the Albuquerque Museum. From 12–3 p.m., starting Saturday, Oct. 11, join educators from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and explore how science meets art through activities designed for creativity, curiosity and discovery.

The theme of October’s Read More

Darleane C. Hoffman, Pioneering Nuclear Chemist And Trailblazer For Women In Science, Has Passed Away

by

Darleane C. Hoffman Nov. 8, 1926 – Sept. 4, 2025

By ANNE BARANGER
Interim Dean
University of Berkeley

It is with profound sadness that I write to share the news that Darleane C. Hoffman, pioneering nuclear chemist and trailblazer for women in science, has passed away (Sept. 4, 2025) at the age of 98.

Professor Hoffman was born and raised in Iowa. She entered Iowa State College (now Iowa State University), where she first majored in applied art but later changed to chemistry, and there earned her B.S. (1948) and then her Ph.D. (1951) in physical (nuclear) chemistry.

She began her career as a Chemist Read More

New Mexico Historic Preservation Division’s Cortney Wands Digs Into New Role As State Archaeologist

by

State Archaeologist Cortney Wands

NMHPD News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division has announced that Cortney Wands has been named New Mexico State Archaeologist, tasked with overseeing the state’s deep archaeological history and prehistory. 

“Cortney is a thorough and diligent archaeologist with nearly 25 years of archaeology experience in New Mexico and across the country,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Michelle Ensey. “We’re thrilled to see her settle into her new role as our State Archaeologist.” 

As State Archeologist, Wands reviews and concurs Read More

2025 Dia De Los Muertos On Santa Fe Plaza

by

From Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe:

SANTA FE — The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe is once again transforming the historic Plaza into a sea of marigolds, music, mojigangas, and community remembrance—and we need your help to keep the two-day festival free for everyone.

The heart of the City Different will beat to the rhythm of mariachis and the beauty of marigolds when the free Día de Los Muertos Festival returns to the historic Santa Fe Plaza on Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1.

Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe in cooperation with the City of Santa Fe, the family-friendly celebration blends ancient Read More

Today Marks World Teachers’ Day 2025!

by

EDUCATION News:

Today marks World Teachers’ Day, created to honor teachers and teacher organizations making vital contributions to the education and development of our future leaders.

UNESCO proclaimed Oct. 5 to be World Teachers’ Day in 1994. They chose Oct. 5 because it was on this date in 1966 when a significant step was made for teachers. A special intergovernmental conference in Paris adopted the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The Recommendation sets benchmarks regarding teachers’ rights. It also sets standards for teacher training, employment, and Read More

Community Invited To Genealogy Workshop At SALA Oct. 11

by

COMMUNITY News:

Valle Grande Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring a Genealogy Workshop for beginners and long-time genealogists, who will all find something of interest, on Oct. 11 at SALA Event Center.

There will be four speakers and four sessions, starting at 9 a.m. with The Basics, and continuing until 1 p.m. with presentations on Online Resources, Census Records, and DNA genealogy.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to attend one or all four sessions. Read More

NM Museum Of Natural History & Science Announces October Education Schedule

by

NMMNHS News:

With the museum temporarily closed for a renovation project, NMMNHS educators are bringing natural history into the community with a full slate of public programs in Bernalillo County libraries and community spaces during the fall months through the Natural History in your Neighborhood program. A full rundown of each program is available here.

 

When and Where: 

  • 3–4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4: Dino Discoveries at International District Library (7601 Central Ave. NE). For ages 0 to 8. 
  • 5–8:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4: International Observe the Moon Night at Sandia Mountain Natural
Read More

Visitor Spending For Manhattan Project National Historical Park Contributes $5.4 Million Across Three Communities

by

The three Manhattan Project NHPs, from left, Hanford, Los Alamos, and Oak Ridge. Courtesy/NPS 

NPS News:

DENVER – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows Manhattan Project National Historical Park had a total of 74,693 recreation visits across its three park units in 2024.

These visits led to a total of approximately $5.4 million in visitor spending in local communities parkwide.

The numbers per site are as follows:

  • Hanford, Wash. – 19,644 visits; $773,000 in visitor spending;
  • Los Alamos, N.M. – 25,538 visits; $1.8 million in visitor spending; and
  • Oak Ridge, Tenn. – 29,511 visits; $2.8
Read More

Historic Preservation Conference Kicks Off Oct. 3

by

NMHPD News:

The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division reminds you there’s still time to register for the three-day Historic Preservation Conference in Las Vegas, the first event of its kind in more than a decade. Oct. 3–5, learn from New Mexico’s preservation experts about projects going on around the state and in your own backyard. 

Taking place on New Mexico Highlands University’s scenic Las Vegas campus, this conference, Viva Vegas 25, will touch on aspects of historic preservation including sustainability, affordable housing, gentrification, cultural preservation, preservation Read More

NMMNHS Announces Enormous New Duck-Billed Dinosaur Species Identified In Northwest New Mexico

by

Rendering of Ahshiselsaurus, a new species of theropod dinosaur discovered in the San Juan Basin. Courtesy/NMMNHS

NMMNHS News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A team of researchers, including a pair of paleontologists from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS), has identified a massive new species of duck-billed dinosaur in the rocks of northwestern New Mexico.

This newly discovered dinosaur, which researchers named Ahshiselsaurus wimani, lived around 75 million years ago and may have weighed more than nine tons.

“Discoveries like this remind us that science truly is a community,” Read More