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Center for Southwest Research's Albuquerque Tricentennial 2006 Anniversary Exhibit Collection

 File
Identifier: MSS 1119 BC

Scope and Contents

The collection has copies of the images, text and sources used in the exhibit. It has been retained because it portrays the history of the city through a wide range of archival material from 1706-2005 from the CSWR, with limited supporting outside material. The main goal of the show was to make researchers and the public aware that such material was available at the CSWR. Represented are all the main formats held by the CSWR. The curator, Nancy Brown Martinez, tried to make it multicultural and had images for Native Americans, Hispanos, Mexican Americans, African Americans, Anglo Americans, Jewish Americans, etc. Finding things related to all the eras was a big challenge. The content then was limited largely by what was found in the archival collections. Zuheil Alvarez, CSWR graduate fellow, transcribed and translated the 1806 New Mexico Spanish governor's letter about pursuing Zebulon Pike in Colorado. He was captured and went through Albuquerque enroute to Mexico. She also transcribed and translated an 1809 Albuquerque land transfer document. Ellen Evans, another CSWR graduate fellow, prepared the architecture display for the Southern Union Gas Company - Flying Star Cafe and the Occidental Insurance Company - New Mexico Title Company building. The show included models of the insurance building and the Kimo theater. CSWR graduate fellow, Ramona Caplan, arranged the case on the 1962 movie Lonely Are the Brave, starring Kirk Douglas, with scenes from the filming in Albuquerque and Tijeras Canyon. Kathrine McCully, CSWR student assistant, researched the section on eight songs about Albuquerque. Other CSWR and Library personnel also participated in the effort. San Francisco sculptor, Bruce Papitto, loaned the CSWR his statuette representing Martin Hurtado, the first Alcalde Mayor of Albuquerque. UNM Public Affairs, several local organizations and city departments provided props for the exhibit. Among other interesting treasures on display was the 1706 founding document for Albuquerque, which was transcribed and translated for the show. Another was the 1866 plan from NARA for the Albuquerque Army Post quartermaster's suppy building in Old Town. Also showing was the 1898 Albuquerque Spanish American War muster. We also featured Elfego Baca's 1932 letter to his wife, his law brief case and burial card. In the 1940s window case was the replica Spanish metal helmet worn by the fellow portraying Coronado in the 1540-1940 Cuarto Centennial anniversary celebration. There was also a page from the 1943 P.O.W. diary of Major William B. Reardon, who survived the Bataan Death March and testified against the Japanese at the International Far East War Crimes Tribunal.

The exhibit was a major contribution to the city's anniversary commemoration because of its extensive presentation of rare CSWR archival materials that had never been or rarely seen before. There is a CD with photographs of the main exhibit cases and often the items themselves, another with the text explanation and sources of the items and one of the curator talking about the show. There is also a CD with the songs about the city and one with photographs of the students from San Felipe school, in Old Town, visiting the CSWR exhibit and West Wing. Also included are the text and sources for a smaller side display called Memories of Albuquerque. This secondary display was not photographed. We hope this collection will help present and preserve our city's long and fascinating history.

Dates

  • 2005-2006

Extent

1 box box,.50 linear ft. (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection contains copies of the historical background text, images and sources for the Albuqueruqe 300th anniversary (1706 - 2006) exhibit at the Center for Southwest Research, University of New Mexico Library, Albuquerque. The material came from the archives of the CSWR, with a few exceptions. It is arranged by decades and eras of the history of the city. Includes CDs with the images, text and songs from the exhibit.
Date
Fall 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451