Valencia County Historical Society 

Events

Presentations & Events

Upcoming Presentations & Events


Past Recorded Presentations

Geologic History of Valencia County by Paul Parmentier Link to a video of the presentation from November 2nd : https://tinyurl.com/56hwsecd 


Los Lunas Mystery Stone by John Taylor  Link to a video of the presentation from November 12th: https://www.facebook.com/pg/vchsnm/events/?ref=page_internal 

Presentations & Events by Other Associations

SAVE THE DATE

2025 Joint New Mexico-Arizona History Conference 

September 25 - 27, 2025

Las Cruces, New Mexico



Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts: Link to current newsletter, with information on current and upcoming exhibits and events: 


Tue., Mar. 18th @ 2PM - 4PM Pueblo Women's Fashion Show at the Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center Lecture Hall 71 Tribal Rd. 40, Isleta Village.


Wed., Mar. 19th at noon, the State Records Center at 1205 Camino Carlos Rey in Santa Fe, presents Kathleen Dull from the State Library who will discuss "De-tourists Delight-The Fred Harvey Company Indian Detours".  No info available on-line.


Thu., Mar. 20th @ 2PM - 4PM Special Women's Photograph Viewing at the Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center Lecture Hall 71 Tribal Rd. 40, Isleta Village.


Sat., Mar. 22nd @ 2PM in person event, the Friends of the Los Lunas Public Library & Museum at 251 Main St. SE Los Lunas, Tales of Gold and other Treasures by Karl Lambach. Tales of lost mines and treasure in southern New Mexico have been told since the arrival of the first explorers some 400 years ago.  Any number of would-be treasure hunters and prospectors have spent their lives and fortunes in the search. Who lost it and why should it be there? It has been attributed to Aztecs fleeing the Spanish, early Spanish miners, bandits operating on the Camino Real, French priests, Maximillian and Carlota, and Apaches. Laumbach shares the insights and stories that forty plus years exploring the archaeology and history of southern New Mexico have provided. Sponsored by Historical Society of NM and the Friends. 


Sat., Mar. 22nd at 6 PM, in person event, the Glenwood Women's Club presents VanAnn Moore, who will give a Chautauqua performance as “Jessie Benton Fremont”.  Free.  Description: “For Jessie Benton Fremont, the idea of “Manifest Destiny” was her passion. The phrase originated from her father Senator Thomas Hart Benton. But it was her husband, John Charles Fremont the famous explorer known as the great “Pathfinder” who made it a reality. The vivacious, strong-willed and beautiful Jessie became a prolific writer starting with putting John Fremont’s Western Expeditions into print. Jessie was also born for politics. Her husband John became a Governor of Arizona, the first Senator of California, and the first Republican to run for President of the United States in 1856. Together they brandished an anti-slavery platform. Throughout her life she was in contact with influential abolitionists, women’s rights Advocates and influential politicians. She spent most of her life traveling with her husband and writing about her experiences around the world.”

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/2b8ukpkt 

 

Sat., Mar. 22nd at 2 PM, in person event, the East Mountain Historical Society presents Terry Owen, who will give a talk on “The Crash of TWA Flight 260 – 70 Years Later”.  Partial description: “On February 19, 1955, at 7:05 am, TWA flight 260 took off from the Albuquerque airport headed for Santa Fe, despite winter storms.  At 7:12 am, as the plane ascended northeast towards the cloud-shrouded Sandia mountains, terrain warning system bells sounded and a granite cliff face appeared.  Despite attempted evasive action, at 7:13 am the plane crashed, and all 13 passengers and 3 crew perished.  Travel back 70 years and join us to learn more about the details of the crash; likely contributing factors; archival and recent photos of the aircraft and crash site; and a recent drone video to give you a sense of what Captain Spong encountered that fateful day.”

At Tijeras village council chambers at 12 Camino Municipal off I-40 in Tijeras.

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/49nvfwzv 

For more info send e-mail to president@eastmountainhistory.org 

 

Sat., Mar. 22nd at 1:30 PM, in person event, the Special Collections Library at the corner of Central Ave. and Edith in ABQ, presents the premiere of a documentary on “The Story of the Old Main Library, 1925-2025”.  Description: “The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County now serves more than 650,000 people at 19 different locations, covering the city and county from end to end. But the sprawling system had its humble beginning in 1925 at the Old Main Library at Edith Boulevard and Central Avenue. The distinctive Pueblo Revival-style building served as the hub of the public library system until it was replaced in 1975 with the New Main Library downtown. After undergoing renovations, the landmark building, now known as Special Collections, re-opened in 1978 and continues to serve the public with an emphasis on local history and culture. Celebrate its 100th anniversary and learn about the history from former staff and patrons in the new film Special Recollections: The Story of the Old Main Library —1925-2025.”

See this web page: https://libevents.abqlibrary.org/event/14215405 

 

Sat., Mar. 22nd from 3 PM to 5 PM, in person event, the Special Collections Library at the corner of Central Ave. and Edith in ABQ, holds its 100th Anniversary Celebration.  Description: “Special Collections Library has been preserving Albuquerque’s history since 1925. You are cordially invited to celebrate our historic milestone as we remember the past, honor the present, and grow the future! Enjoy live music, displays, an art show, and more!”

See this web page: https://libevents.abqlibrary.org/event/13017435 

 

Sun., Mar. 23rd at 2 PM, in person event, Friends of the Coronado Historic Site, at the Marha Liebert Library at 124 Calle Malinche in Bernalillo presents state historian Robert Martinez, who will give a talk on “The Inquisition of New Mexico”.  Free.  Partial description: “Bigamy, magic and witchcraft are not words we usually associate with the Inquisition. But, when the Inquisition hit the New Mexico territory, the plot thickened. For example, did you know there was more than one Inquisition? And, did you know that this ecclesiastical institution, made famous in Spain, was operating in New Mexico for three centuries.  Rob Martinez will explain it all in his fascinating lecture. Rob Martinez, a native New Mexican, has been the state’s historian since 2019. He received his B.B.A. in International Business Management and M.A. in Latin American history from the University of New Mexico. As a research historian for the Sephardic Legacy Project for 14 years he scoured civil and church archives in New Mexico, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Cuba and Puerto Rico that resulted in publishing a research paper about the Crypto-Jewish phenomenon in New Mexico.”

See this web page: https://bernalillolibrary.libcal.com/event/14008520 

Related Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/yt6njbaw 

 

Sun., Mar. 23rd at 2 PM, in person event, the Corrales Historical Society presents Dennis Chamberlain, who will give a presentation on “Eighteen Years in the Village”.  Free.  At Casa San Ysidro at 966 Old Church Road in Corrales.

See this web page for detailed info: https://www.corraleshistory.org/speaker.html 

For more info send e-mail to CHSSpeakerSeries@CorralesHistory.org 

 

Tue., Mar. 25th from 10:30 AM to 2 PM, in person event, Albuquerque Genealogical Society (AGS) Research Day: need help with your genealogy?  At the main ABQ library at 5th and Copper, in the genealogy center on the second floor.  No set schedule.  The number in the genealogy center is 768-5141.

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/25f88s5r 

 

Tue., Mar. 25th from 1:30 PM to 3 PM, virtual and in person event, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s Celtic Research Group meets on the second floor at the ABQ main library at 5th and Copper Sts. in ABQ and on-line.

See this web page for more info: https://abqgen.org/events/celtic-sig-2025/ 

Link to register if you wish to participate on-line via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/6srsyb4b 

 

Tue., Mar. 25th @ 2PM - 4PM Women & Education teaching Tiwa and Special Stroytelling Session at the Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center Lecture Hall 71 Tribal Rd. 40, Isleta Village.


Thu., Mar. 27th @ 1PM Special Session on Art Presentation & Workshop at the Isleta Pueblo Cultural Center Lecture Hall 71 Tribal Rd. 40, Isleta Village.


Sat., Mar. 29th from 8:30 AM to 4 PM, virtual event, Arizona Genealogy Day 2025.  Free.  See this web page with detailed agenda and how to register: https://azsos.libcal.com/event/13207052?hs=a


Sat., Mar. 29th at 10 AM, in person event, the Wheels Museum at 1100 2nd St., SW in ABQ presents Donatella Davanzo, who will give a talk on “Route 66 Connected”.  Description: “Dr. Donatella Davanzo, Italian American cultural anthropologist, is a scholarly photo  ethnographer and instructor of visual anthropology.   “Route 66 Connected” by Dr. Donatella Davanzo is a multimedia exposition that proposes an innovative evaluation of the historic American highway on the eve of its centennial. By examining existing original resources in operation along the contemporary road in New Mexico, the presentation will enrich the public interest in the “Mother Road” history through a detailed photographic documentation and personal interviews. A variety of narratives concerning the heritage of Route 66 will uncover how the road still conveys its significance and its multicultural nature as a legacy that preserves the distinctive cultural richness of New Mexico as well.”

Admission is free, but donations are always gratefully accepted.  For more info call 505-243-6269 or send e-mail to info@WheelsMuseum.org 

 

Sat., Mar. 29th at 2 PM, in person event, the Placitas Library at 453 highway 165 in Placitas presents Drs. Daniel and Susan Arreola,  who will discuss “Geography: More than Meets the Eye”. 

Description: “Drs. Daniel and Susan Arreola will be speaking at the Placitas Community Library at 2 p.m. on March 29th about “The Geographer’s Eye: Sight and Insight.” They will explain, along with audience participation, how geographers view place and landscape. The audience will be asked to share their responses to a slide exercise so that we all learn how our views of places and landscapes have at least two dimensions, a “Sight” and an “Insight.”

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/ycypdxa7 

For more info call 505-867-3355.

 

Sat., Mar. 29th at 11 AM, in person event, the Special Collections at the corner of Central Ave. and Edith hold its Anniversary Library Tour. Free.  Description: “Take a tour of Albuquerque's oldest public library. The Special Collections Library houses research collections on Albuquerque history and New Mexico history and culture. The 1925 Pueblo/Spanish Revival-style building is a registered Albuquerque landmark in the historic Huning Highlands neighborhood. Our bimonthly tours are on the 4th Saturday of every other month at 11:00 a.m.. You are also welcome to call us at 505-848-1376 or to email us to schedule a tour if the regularly scheduled tour is not convenient.”

See this web page: https://libevents.abqlibrary.org/event/14215393 

 

Sat., Mar. 29th, in person event, the Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum is launching.  Description: “Celebrate the “grand opening” of the Gallup New Deal Art Virtual Museum on March 29, 2025 with a full day of tours, talks, music, crafts, and free family activities in downtown Gallup, NM.”

See this web page with more info and a schedule of events: https://galluparts.org/newdeal/ 

For more info call 505-488-2136.

 

Sat., Mar. 29th at 2 PM, in person event, the Rio Rancho Public Library at the Loma Colorado Main Branch Library at 755 Loma Colorado Blvd. NE in Rio Rancho presents Judith Avila, who will give a talk on “Chester Nez – World War II Navajo Code Talker”.  Free.  Description: “Although 420 Navajo code talkers served in the Marines during World War II, none had written memoirs until Nez’s 2012 autobiography “Code Talker”. Chester Nez (1921-2014) was one of the original 29 code talkers, men who developed the only unbroken code in modern warfare and took it into battle against the Japanese. His life demonstrated how challenges enhance strength and how diversity augments the strength of a nation.”

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/4745z9as 


Sat., March 29th from 10 AM to 2 PM, in person event, the Guiterrez Hubbell House at 6029 Isleta Blvd., SW in ABQ holds a Backyard Refuge Day.  Free.  Go to this link for details: https://tinyurl.com/4vpdbs2e 

For more info contact David Ottaviano at 350-5117 or dottaviano@bernco.gov

 

Tue., April 1st at 10:30 AM, virtual and in person event, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s Military Research Group meets on the second floor of the main ABQ library at 5th and Copper in ABQ.  At this meeting the topic will be Revolution and Early American 1775-1812.

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/4keyf69m 

If planning to attend the meeting via Zoom, register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ms6pftvh 

For more info send e-mail to MilResSIG@abqgen.org 

 

Wed., April 2nd at noon, virtual event, the Friends of History (Santa Fe) presents Michael F. Brown, who will give a lecture on “The School for Advanced Research, 1907-2025: A Brief History of New Mexico’s Oldest Research Center”.  Partial description: “SAR, founded in 1907 as a national center for archaeological research, has changed its name twice as its mission and ambitions have changed with the times. In this illustrated talk, Michael F. Brown (SAR President, 2014-2024) reviews SAR’s colorful history and its role in responsibly stewarding Native American art of the Southwest and promoting innovative research in anthropology and other social sciences.”

Free or donation up to $25 accepted.

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/3tc89mb3 

For more info  send e-mail to nmhmfriendsofhistory@gmail.com 

 

Fri., April 4th at 10:30 AM, virtual and in person event, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s DNA Research Group meets on the second floor at the ABQ main library at 5th and Copper Sts. in ABQ and on-line.

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/xzjdbjx8 

If planning to attend the meeting via Zoom, register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/wrck2wpw 

 

Sat., April 5th from 9 AM to 3 PM, in person event, the National Hispanic Cultural Center at 1701 4th St., NW in ABQ holds its 32nd Annual César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Celebration.  Free.  Partial description: “The Recuerda a Cesar Chavez Committee (RCCC) and the National Hispanic Cultural Center are excited to announce the return of the annual César Chávez and Dolores Huerta Celebration – the only celebration of its kind in the country that honors both great civil rights leaders. The legendary Dolores Huerta will be our honored guest!  Since 2007, the National Hispanic Cultural Center has collaborated with Albuquerque’s Recuerda a César Chávez Committee (RCCC) to celebrate the life and legacy of the renowned American civil rights leader César Estrada Chávez, co-founder, with Dolores Huerta, of the National Farmworkers Association and subsequently president of the United Farmworkers of America.”

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/mvn5fuue 

 

Sat., April 5th at 2 PM, in person event, the Taos County Historical Society presents Guadalupe Tafoya, who will speak on “Nuevo Mexico del Norte: St. Francis Church”.  Description: “Guadalupe is a Taos High School graduate and a graduate of New Mexico Highlands University, receiving her master degree in 1976. She also holds certificates in art conservation, especially working with historic New Mexico religious art and history.  Guadalupe’s career includes:

At the Kit Carson electric cooperative boardroom at 118 Cruz Alta Road in Taos.

See this web page: http://taoscountyhistoricalsociety.org/ 

For more information contact Ernestine Córdova at cordova@newmex.com or call 575-770-0681.