Albuquerque Historical Society

AHS Program - Gallup Route 66 Railroad and Highway Interface
2026-01-18 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Denver) | Albuquerque Museum – Auditorium, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104
Join us on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. as history-lover Roger Zimmerman explores how Gallup, NM, became a classic Route 66 town where the historic “Mother Road” closely parallels the railroad tracks, creating a distinct downtown layout with motels, diners, and trading posts nestled between the tracks and buildings.
Railroad planning shaped the early layout of Gallup, and when Route 66 was established in 1926 it followed Railroad Avenue, bringing growth but eventually creating major congestion as traffic increased after World War II. Throughout the 1950s the City of Gallup and the Santa Fe Railway worked through difficult right of way and design challenges to widen Route 66 and keep the highway and its vital commerce within the downtown business district. Read More

AHS Program - USS Albuquerque: 30 Years Beneath the World’s Oceans
2026-02-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Albuquerque Museum – Auditorium, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104
Join us on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2 p.m as Retired U.S. Navy submariner Terry Owen takes the audience deep beneath the surface to explore the 30-year global service of the nuclear submarine USS Albuquerque, sharing firsthand stories of life aboard and how a submarine truly operates. The presentation concludes with an update on the future USS Albuquerque memorial and its path forward.
The program will be held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. Parking is free in the lot south of the Museum. Admission to the Museum and the AHS program is also free. Read More

Walking Through History - Tour of the KiMo Theater
2026-03-11 10:30 - 12:30 | KiMo Theater, 423 Central NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102
Join us on Wednesday, March 11th, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. to tour the historic KiMo Theater. As part of our year-long celebration of Route 66, we’ll tour this unique pueblo-deco building which has been a landmark along the Mother Road since 1927. Our docent will cover the history and lore of the facility and discuss the design which includes kiva-like interiors with buffalo skulls, ceremonial canoes and Navajo rug-inspired vents. It’s now a cultural hub for the city, featuring concerts, films and special events.
This tour is limited to 40 participants. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. No pets please, certified service animals are welcome. Attendees must dress appropriately for the prevailing weather, wear closed-toed shoes and avoid sandals and high-heels. RSVP below is required in advance no later than March 9th. Please indicate the number of attendees and their names. There is no cost for this tour.
More information is available at the KiMo website.

Amtrak Passenger Rail Service in NM
2026-03-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Albuquerque Museum – Auditorium, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104
Join us on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. as Railroad Historian Fred Friedman explores the history and continuing importance of Amtrak passenger rail service in New Mexico, which has operated across the state since 1971 despite chronic funding challenges and reliance on freight rail lines. He will also highlight how several of today’s Amtrak stops were once important depots of the Fred Harvey system, linking modern passenger service with the region’s rich railroad heritage.
The program will be held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. Parking is free in the lot south of the Museum. Admission to the Museum and the AHS program is also free. Read More

The Origin and Evolution of Sandia National Laboratories - Part 2
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Albuquerque Museum – Auditorium, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104
Join Historian Justin Quinn Olmstead, Ph.D. on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2 pm, as he continues his description of Sandia National Laboratories’ history.
Read More.

Walking Through History – Route 66 Neon Signs
2026-06-13 09:00 - 12:00 | 1701 Broadway Blvd, NE, 1701 Broadway Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102
Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. to view a collection of Route 66 neon signs. As part of our year-long celebration of Route 66, you’ll be able to see a large collection of neon signs that once lined the Mother Road. This tour will be led by the private collectors of this historic memorabilia.
This tour is limited to 20 participants. The tour will start at 1701 Broadway Blvd, NE and after touring that facility we will then drive to 573 Commercial St, NE for the second part of the tour. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. No pets please, certified service animals are welcome. Attendees must dress appropriately for the prevailing weather, wear closed-toed shoes, avoid sandals and high-heels; and be capable of standing and walking for up to one hour. RSVP below is required in advance no later than June 11, 2026. There is no cost for this tour.
Registrations for this event will be only be taken here.

AHS Program - From Historical Fact to Historical Fiction
2026-07-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Albuquerque Museum – Auditorium, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104
Join us on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. as author Suzanne Stauffer, Ph.D., explores how historical fact becomes compelling historical fiction while maintaining accuracy and authenticity. Using her 2025 New Mexico Book Award-winning mystery *Fried Chicken Castaneda* and later works, Stauffer will reveal how she weaves the history of the Fred Harvey Company, the Santa Fe Railroad, and iconic New Mexico places into engaging stories set in the past.
Note: This presentation was originally scheduled for Sunday, June 21, 2026, but a power outage in the Old Town area forced closure of the Albuquerque Museum.
The program will be held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. Parking is free in the lot south of the Museum. Admission to the Museum and the AHS program is also free. Read More

Walking Through History – Tour of the Old Town Plaza
2026-08-08 09:30 - 12:00 | Old Town Plaza, 200 N Plaza St NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87104
Join the Albuquerque Historical Society on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. to learn about the history of the old town plaza, which in many respects is the history of the founding of the Duke City. From its earliest days on the El Camino Real to the heyday of nearby Route 66 to today, it’s always played an important part in the social fabric of our community. Join us to find out the fascinating history of this small but important plot of land which has been so vital to our city.
This tour is limited to 20 participants. The tour which will be led by a museum docent, will start inside the Albuquerque Museum and then we’ll walk the short distance to the Old Town Plaza. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. No pets please, certified service animals are welcome. Attendees must dress appropriately for the prevailing weather, wear closed-toed shoes, avoid sandals and high-heels; and be capable of standing and walking for up to one hour. RSVP is required in advance below no later than August 5, 2026. Museum admission fee can be paid upon arrival at the museum front desk by each participant: Out-of-State Adults, $6; NM Resident Adults, $5; Seniors, $4, Museum Foundation members, Free.
