History

NM Museum Of Natural History & Science Contributes To New Dinosaur Discovery In Montana

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Left and right dentaries of the Montana ornithomimosaur. This figure appeared in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology in Sept. 2025. Courtesy/NMMNHS

NMMNHS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A team of researchers that included the Executive Director of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science recently identified jawbones from a species of ostrich-like dinosaur in Montana.  

This discovery, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology earlier this month, expands the known range of this family of theropod dinosaurs, and helps researchers better understand how these dinosaurs Read More

National Museum Of Nuclear Science & History Announces Extended Hours During Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta

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NMNSH News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is thrilled to announce special extended hours during the city’s world-famous Balloon Fiesta, running Oct. 1–15, 2025. To ensure visitors can experience both the breathtaking morning balloon ascensions and the museum’s engaging exhibits, the museum will open early at 8 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m. daily throughout the festival.

“We want to make sure Balloon Fiesta guests can enjoy everything Albuquerque has to offer,” said Jennifer Hayden, President and CEO. “By opening early and staying open later, we’re Read More

New Mexico Museum Of Space History Launch Pad 49 & Counting On Origins Of NMMSH Oct. 3

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New Mexico Museum of Space History Launch Pad Lecture (LPL) 49 and counting is Oct. 3, by Education Director Michael Shinabery. Courtesy/NMDCA

NMDCA News:

ALAMOGORDO — The community is invited to attend the presentation by Education Director Michael Shinabery of the New Mexico Museum of Space History, whose animated style and deep knowledge make history come alive.

Shinabery will discuss the origins of the museum. It all began with Dwight Ohlinger’s dream to create a museum dedicated to space, inspired by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Within three years, that dream became reality with Read More

Sen. Heinrich Commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Heinrich is a cosponsor of a bipartisan resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.

“As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the remarkable impact Hispanics and Latinos have had on our country and in our communities — strengthening every part of our economic, social, and cultural fabric. In New Mexico, Hispanic heritage is not Read More

NM Museum Of Natural History & Science & Smithsonian Researchers Discover Prehistoric Plant Near Socorro

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Rendering of prehistoric plant discovered by NMMNHS and Smithsonian researchers in Socorro County. Courtesy/NMMNHS

NMDCA News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A team of researchers from the Smithsonian and New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) have unearthed a new species of plant that lived before the age of dinosaurs in rural Socorro County.  

This new species, Socorropteris cancellarei, lived roughly 290 million years ago during the Permian Period, and provides vital insight into what the landscape that’s now southern New Mexico may have looked like at that time.

The research, Read More

Valle Grande Chapter, NSDAR, Celebrates 50 Years Of Service

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Valle Grande Chapter members above, Megan Farrell, Linda Carol Alt – Chapter Regent, Linda Kolar – Chapter Treasurer, Roberta Day Idzorek – Chapter Historian, Chastity Kolar, Chapter Vice-Regent, Jane Shumaker, and JoAnn Unruh – Chapter Registrar. Courtesy photo

NSDAR News:

The Valle Grande Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated 50 years of service last week on Sept. 13. Fellow daughters came from Taos and Albuquerque to join us at Gabriel’s Restaurant, including the State Regent, Deborah Robb. Regent Linda Carol Alt presented the restoration project of the Oppenheimer house by the Los Alamos Historical Read More

Bandelier To Host Fall Fiesta—Changing Leaves, Enduring Traditions, Oct. 11-12

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NPS News:

Bandelier National Monument will host Fall Fiesta – Changing Leaves, Enduring Traditions, Oct. 11-12, 2025. This is a two-day event with over 70 artists/vendors from various Pueblos and Tribes, scheduled programs, dance groups and much more.

Bandelier’s Fall Fiesta theme for 2025 is Changing Leaves, Enduring Traditions. Come join this special event and enjoy Frijoles Canyon in the new season! Fall Fiesta will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., both Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12.

Bandelier National Monument is open every day from sunrise to sunset. In Frijoles Canyon, the park visitor Read More

Statewide Conference On Historic Preservation Returns To Las Vegas After 10-Year Hiatus

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NMHPD News:

Known for its rich architectural heritage and cultural diversity, Las Vegas is an ideal setting for a statewide event that celebrates the past while charting a path for the future. Themed “Preserve Your Future by Building on Traditions,” this year’s conference, Oct. 3–5, will bring together professionals, civic leaders, and everyday advocates—people who believe that protecting cultural heritage strengthens our communities.

“Las Vegas is home to more than 900 historic buildings, each with a story to tell,” says Las Vegas Mayor David Romero. “From Victorian homes to adobe storefronts, Read More

Constitution Day 2025: The U.S. Constitution Is The Oldest Written Constitution In Operation In The World

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Courtesy/history.com

This Day In History:

              • Today Marks Constitution Day 2025

The Constitution of the United States of America is signed by 39 delegates present at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Supporters of the document waged a hard-won battle to win ratification by the necessary nine out of 13 U.S. states.

The Articles of Confederation, ratified several months before the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781, provided for a loose confederation of U.S. states, which were sovereign in most of their affairs. On paper, Congress–the central authority–had Read More

Take A Detour With Fred Harvey Travel History At Friends Of History Lecture Oct. 1

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NMHM News:

Join Kathleen Dull, Librarian and Archivist at the New Mexico History Museum’s Fray Angelico Chavez History Library, for an ONLINE presentation, “Detourists’ Delight: Roughing it De Luxe,” as part of the Friends of History monthly lecture series 12–1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1.

This month’s Friends of History First Wednesday Lecture Series features an engaging presentation in anticipation of the Fred Harvey History Weekend in November. Librarian and archivist Kathleen Dull will take people on “the world’s most distinctive motor cruise service”—the Fred Harvey Indian Read More