John P. Bloom papers

Collection

Identifier: Ms-0550

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers are organized in their original order. John P. Bloom’s advocacy for open government is documented mostly through emails to the local newspaper editor, and to members of NMSU Board of Regents. Minutes and agendas for the Common Cause organization are included in the papers. The papers related to his work on three symposia sponsored by the Dona Ana County Historical Society. The first symposium was titled New Mexico's Year of Destiny, 1846, and was held in 1996 as a 150th anniversary. The largest and most successful of the symposia was the symposium on the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, held in 1998, and the subsequent publication of a book based on the symposium presentations. The third and last symposium was on the history of sports in southern New Mexico, held in 2000. The collection includes emails to the presenters of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo symposium, including their bio and their paper for the presentation, and program guide. Of local note, the collection for the sports in southern New Mexico symposium, contains an extensive biography and accomplishments of coach Jim Bradley who played football for New Mexico A&M 1951-1954 and coached football for Las Cruces, Mayfield and Roswell High schools from 1958- 2005

Dates

1996 - 2000

Biographical / Historical

John Porter Bloom was born in 1924, John served in the military during WWII. Following in the footsteps of his parents, he immersed his life as a professional historian. He is the son of Maude McFie Bloom and Reverend Lansing B. Bloom, who both documented New Mexico history. John earned his bachelor’s degree at UNM, his Masters at George Washington University, and his PhD at Emory University. In 1968 he married fellow historian, Jo Tice. After impressive careers, they retired to Las Cruces where together Jo and John participated in and led significant community activities, including being prominent members and supporters of the ACLU. During his career, John served as a staff historian for the National Park Service and at the National Archives. He is a professional historian specializing in New Mexican and Southwestern History. He is the author of books, articles, reviews and conference papers. He is a member of several national, state and local historical organizations.

His connection to NMSU goes back to its founding when his grandfather John R. McFie served as a member of the early New Mexico A&M College Jo Tice Bloom edited and annotated Maude McFie’s thesis “A History of the Mesilla Valley, 1903”, and published it in 1999. Jo Tice Bloom died June 18, 2019. John Bloom continues to reside in Las Cruces.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of John P. Bloom related to his work on three symposia sponsored by the Dona Ana County Historical Society. The first symposium was titled New Mexico's Year of Destiny, 1846, and was held in 1996 as a 150th anniversary. The largest and most successful of the symposia was the symposium on the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, held in 1998, and the subsequent publication of a book based on the symposium presentations. The third and last symposium was on the history of sports in southern New Mexico, held in 2000.