Museums Part 1

 

One thing that continues to amaze me about living in New Mexico is how rich in history it is. The other aspect I love about it is how you can choose to experience the history. There are historical sights everywhere, and thankfully there is not a lack of museums as well. So, thankfully for a history buff like me the options are limitless on how I can enjoy the history of this state. Recently I decided to start visiting some of the museums in the area, and more importantly ones that are specific to New Mexico. Here are a couple of my favorites so far.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: This museum I was looking forward to visit, and once I arrived there, I realized that it is a great place for fans of history, art, and even food. The large adobe rounded exterior takes you around the building and into the entrance. After paying my small admission I made my way out to a courtyard where I was surrounded by massive murals representing the various tribes. Once inside the museum there are two different ways you can go, the main exhibit or the rotating exhibit. Obviously, I was going to do both, but I started with the main exhibit. There are several words to describe the main exhibit including educational, beautiful, and even sad. To learn about the true culture the Indians live by is so interesting from the way they live by the seasons, to how they construct their drums and houses, and how they use the earth for everything in daily life is nothing short of inspiring. To not waste, and use all parts of an animal, and all parts of plants are things that we should still live by today. On top of how educational this room was, it was also beautiful seeing all the handmade clay pots, traditional drums, sacred animal sculptures, and the recreation of a Pueblo and how they made the adobe brick. Of course, the history of this museum is also a sad reminder of how the story ended, but a good reminder to not forget. After the main exhibit came the rotating exhibit which happened to be the Pivot. Blank skateboard decks were painted by various tribe members and the artwork was creative, bold, and true pieces of art. You can find yourself getting lost in time looking at all of them and marveling at how unique each of these are. On the way out is a restaurant/café that sells traditional Native American pastries. While I did not try any of them on this trip, it only gives me a reason to go back and something to look forward to. I guess that answers my next question, that I would absolutely go back. The rotating exhibit is great right now, but I look forward to what follows it, and seeing the traditional dancers on certain days. 

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History: I wasn’t sure what to think before I visited this museum what it was going to be all about. I thought it was going to be all about the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb. While that was a big part of it, and one of the first exhibits you walk into it was so much more than that. Guests are greeted with a timeline that shows all the great scientist and their contributions to the atom and nuclear science. From there the exhibit on the Manhattan Project is full of great information including replicas of the bombs. From there you see photos from Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the devastation the occurred from the dropping of these bombs. From there you jump forward in time to the scary time of the Cold War where Americans lived every day in fear that a nuclear war was going to erupt. After that you are treated to a huge 9-acre plot of land that has historical airplanes, parts of submarine, and bombs that have been used overtime. It is truly amazing and almost awe inspiring to see all these historical artifacts in one place. After returning inside the remainder of the exhibits touch on nuclear and its contributions to medicine, nuclear in Hollywood featuring a classic DeLorean from Back to the Future, some iconic Simpsons references, and much more. The final exhibit touches on nuclear as energy and touches on the disasters of Chernobyl, and 3 Mile Island. The only thing I can say about this museum is that it was an incredible experience. In addition, there is a rotating exhibit. When I was there it was Snoopy and space but has since changed. The only words to describe this museum are informative, educational, and beautiful. The exhibits are put together with so much detail that you can picture what went on during these important moments in history. I feel like a repeat visit is necessary because I am sure I missed something throughout my tour. This is one I will go back to again and would highly recommend for an history fan or science fan. 

For being two of the first museums I have visited in Albuquerque I feel I made some good decisions in choosing these ones. These are both two great museums that bring history to life in their own unique ways. One is through culture, the other through recreating some of the most impactful moments in this country’s history. These are both ones I would visit again and will. Two great museums down, so many more to visit so I guess it’s time to start exploring some more. 

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