Doña Ana County Historical Society records
Collection
Identifier: Ms-0153
Scope and Content Note
The records of the Doña Ana County Historical Society comprise 9.0 linear feet and span the years 1950-2016.The collection includes administrative materials from the society which show its activities including information on awards, proceedings of monthly board meetings, the annual banquet, special events and involvement in community projects, correspondence, monthly newsletters, inventory lists of the collection of historical objects the society possesses, and membership information. The society is dedicated to making historic buildings known to the public to promote their preservation. Historical significance is established through awards for buildings worthy of preservation for architecturally significance.
Documents that pertain to how the organization carries out its purpose include the historical society by-laws and operational handbook, which is a clarification of responsibilities. Correspondence contains personal letters and book requests for the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo symposium book. These materials provide a personal look at the work of the special projects committee in their development of the annual project of editing and publishing the Southern New Mexico Historical Review, including article submissions that underwent multiple editing stages from the editorial committee.
The series of financial documents shows the operations of the society, including bank statements, treasurer’s reports, nonprofit corporation status, and documents and receipts pertaining to book sales of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo symposium book as well as fundraising efforts of the organization through silent auctions, a component of the society’s annual banquet. Additionally, the collection contains historical clippings, brochures, and information about people, places, and events in Doña Ana County and southern New Mexico.
The society has also been active in compiling information on the Historical buildings survey conducted in various locations throughout southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Mesilla, Picacho, and Tortugas. The collection also contains many oral history tapes that were conducted individually, and not a part of a larger project. These tapes come from annual meetings, guest speakers, and special events.
The collection has been arranged into five series: Administrative Files, 1960-2016; Historical Files, 1950-2016; Financial Records, 1972-2001; Oral History Tapes, 1975-1996; and Photographs.
Documents that pertain to how the organization carries out its purpose include the historical society by-laws and operational handbook, which is a clarification of responsibilities. Correspondence contains personal letters and book requests for the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo symposium book. These materials provide a personal look at the work of the special projects committee in their development of the annual project of editing and publishing the Southern New Mexico Historical Review, including article submissions that underwent multiple editing stages from the editorial committee.
The series of financial documents shows the operations of the society, including bank statements, treasurer’s reports, nonprofit corporation status, and documents and receipts pertaining to book sales of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo symposium book as well as fundraising efforts of the organization through silent auctions, a component of the society’s annual banquet. Additionally, the collection contains historical clippings, brochures, and information about people, places, and events in Doña Ana County and southern New Mexico.
The society has also been active in compiling information on the Historical buildings survey conducted in various locations throughout southern New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Mesilla, Picacho, and Tortugas. The collection also contains many oral history tapes that were conducted individually, and not a part of a larger project. These tapes come from annual meetings, guest speakers, and special events.
The collection has been arranged into five series: Administrative Files, 1960-2016; Historical Files, 1950-2016; Financial Records, 1972-2001; Oral History Tapes, 1975-1996; and Photographs.
Dates
- 1950 - 2016
Access and Use Restrictions
This material may be examined by researchers under supervised conditions in the Research Room.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with copyright and other applicable statutes.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Copyrights associated with this collection have not been transferred and assigned to New Mexico State University.
Organizational Sketch
The Doña Ana County Historical Society (DACHS) was created in 1963 to preserve the Fort Selden adobe ruins. The original goals of the organization were to encourage a greater appreciation of New Mexico history, especially that of Doña Ana County. The mission later expanded to promote a greater appreciation and build awareness of the historical and cultural heritage of Doña Ana County and southern New Mexico.
The home of DACHS is the historic Branigan Cultural Center/Historical Museum in downtown Las Cruces. The monthly newsletter keeps members informed of upcoming programs and activities. At the annual Awards Banquet, the Society recognizes historically significant structures, new structures conforming to regional architectural standards, and individuals who make historical contributions.
Some accomplishments of DACHS include: establishing collections that help preserve historical documents and artifacts, sponsoring and supporting preservation of historic buildings, research, education and field trips to historic places, placing interpretive plaques and markers at historic sites, presenting informative regular monthly programs, publishing a monthly newsletter and the annual Southern New Mexico Historical Review, sponsoring historical symposia and symposia papers, supporting and participating with other historical institutions and activities in New Mexico.
The home of DACHS is the historic Branigan Cultural Center/Historical Museum in downtown Las Cruces. The monthly newsletter keeps members informed of upcoming programs and activities. At the annual Awards Banquet, the Society recognizes historically significant structures, new structures conforming to regional architectural standards, and individuals who make historical contributions.
Some accomplishments of DACHS include: establishing collections that help preserve historical documents and artifacts, sponsoring and supporting preservation of historic buildings, research, education and field trips to historic places, placing interpretive plaques and markers at historic sites, presenting informative regular monthly programs, publishing a monthly newsletter and the annual Southern New Mexico Historical Review, sponsoring historical symposia and symposia papers, supporting and participating with other historical institutions and activities in New Mexico.
Extent
9 Linear Feet (15 Boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Society focused on promoting and preserving the history of Doña Ana County of southern New Mexico. Contains administrative files on meetings and banquets, historical files on people and locations, financial records, oral histories and photographs.
Acquisition
- A73-085
- A77-021
- A77-036
- A77-148
- RG80-041
- RG80-057
- RG81-023
- RG84-060
- RG87-138
- RG89-020
- RG90-175
- RG94-156
- RG95-047
- RG95-081
- RG95-082
- RG96-100
- RG97-165
- RG98-048
- RG79-085
- RG2005-017
- RG2004-066
- RG2010-001
- RG2019-016
Processing Information
Reprocessed with additional materials by Portia Vescio, with Paula Barraza, June 2002. Updated and reprocessed by Theodore Hahn, October 2021.
- Title
- Guide to the Doña Ana County Historical Society records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Reprocessed with additional materials by Portia Vescio, with Paula Barraza. Updated by Theodore Hahn on October, 2021
- Date
- June 2002
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository