Programs

Albuquerque Historical Society - Edmund Ross
Edmund G. Ross – Territorial Governor of NM from 1885-1889

The Albuquerque Historical Society (AHS) sponsors a series of monthly programs or tours and traditionally meets on the third Sunday of each month at 2:00 PM. Meetings are held at the Albuquerque Museum, located on Mountain Road NW in Old Town Albuquerque, unless otherwise indicated in the monthly program notice. Parking is free in the lot south of the Albuquerque Museum. Admission to the Museum and AHS program is free.

Some program presentations are live-streamed to the Society’s Facebook Page. If viewed live, the Facebook live stream event allows those who are unable to attend the opportunity to participate in the question and answer session following the event. The video presentations are permanently available in the “Videos” section of the AHS Facebook page as well as embedded in the appropriate AHS Program pages.To see a list of AHS program videos, visit our AHS Program Videos page.

Periodically, the Society sponsors tours to historic points of interest in the Albuquerque area and/or holds meetings or receptions in locations of special historic interest. Sometimes there is a small charge for visiting that facility.

Programs cover a wide variety of topics related to some aspect of Albuquerque or New Mexico history. Some recent and future topics include:

North Fourth Street – A Drive Through Time

Photo of 1930's gas station. Store and gas station at 4019 Fourth Street NW, at Cherokee Rd., in the early 1930s. Courtesy Caroline M. Browning Hess On Sunday, March 17, 2024, Historian Joe Sabatini presented the history of North Fourth Street, the main street in Albuquerque’s North Valley. He described the century of Fourth Street’s
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History of the Albuquerque Fire Department

Grant Opera House on fire, 1897, Courtesy Albuquerque Museum, PA1978.50.85 On Sunday, February 18, 2024, Herman Bishop presented the history of Albuquerque Fire Department fire-fighting from bucket brigades to hand-drawn and horse-drawn fire hoses to modern times. Herman is the Historian of the Albuquerque Fire Department Retirees Association. He is a retired Assistant Chief and spent 25 years with the
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The Downtown Albuquerque Walking Tour: For People Who Prefer to Sit

Photo of Central Downtown Albuquerque c1950 On Sunday, January 21, 2024, amateur historian Roland Penttila presented a partial history of Central Avenue (previously Railroad Avenue) and the changes that occurred after the railroad came to town in 1880 up to the present day. This history is supported with vintage photos of the buildings–many of which no
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Movies Made in Albuquerque

Flyer for "The Tourists" (1912) On Sunday, November 19, 2023, Santa Fe-based writer and New Mexico film historian Jeff Berg presented a “Made in New Mexico” film screening featuring a collection of clips from movies that have been at least partially shot in Albuquerque – from a 1912 silent starring Mary Pickford until present-day blockbusters
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What’s in a Name?

Photo of Elaine Briseño On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Journalist Elaine Briseño explored some of most memorable topics covered in the Albuquerque Journal’s “What’s in a Name” column that is published the first Sunday of every month. Learn about the state’s past citizens and why names like Kimo, Huning, Coors, Girard, Manzano and much
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Albuquerque’s Involvement with the American Space Program

Cover of "Out of This World: New Mexico's Contributions to Space Travel" On Sunday, September 17, 2023, award-winning author Loretta Hall spoke about the Albuquerque researchers who contributed substantially to America’s space exploration programs since the 1950s. Learn about the amazing record that spans NASA’s first human spaceflights, visits to the Moon, the space shuttle program, and robotic explorations of Mars. Don’t
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The Role of the New Mexico State Historian

Photo of Rob Martinez On Sunday, August 20, 2023, Rob Martinez, state historian of New Mexico since 2019, presented a program about what the state historian does, how it is done, as well as when, where and why. Topics such as public history and academic history was discussed, as well as the broader scope
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Historic Fairview Cemetery: THE Place to be Buried Since 1881

Photo of Historic Fairview Cemetery gates On Sunday, July 16, 2023, Gail Rubin spoke about about the history and current status of Historic Fairview Cemetery. The program was held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. In 1880, the railroad came to Albuquerque, prompting an era of growth in New Mexico.
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History of South Broadway and Kirtland Addition Neighborhoods

Photo of South Broadway Neighborhood Association banner   Anthony “Tony” DellaFlora spoke on the rich historic and cultural heritage of South Broadway and the Kirtland Addition In an Albuquerque Historical Society Presentation at the Albuquerque Museum on Sunday, June 18, 2023. He also showed a video on the subject in the latest entry in the “Neighborhoods At
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The Heritage of Historic US Route 66 in Albuquerque

Photo of Central Avenue Underpass On Sunday, April 16, 2023, there was a two-person presentation at the Albuquerque Museum to discuss “The Heritage of Historic US Route 66 in Albuquerque.” The overall program was designed to address plans for the US Route 66 Centennial Commission to honor the “Mother Road” in celebrating the Centennial of
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History of Mariachi in Albuquerque

Photo from Mariachi Spectacular On Sunday, March 19, 2023, Peter Sanchez spoke on the origin of Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque and the life and achievements of its founder, Noberta Fresquez. Her life influences and love of mariachi music led to the creation of this significant cultural event. Mariachi Spectacular is in its 31st year
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Biography of Casey Luna

Casey Luna Biography Book Cover On Sunday, February 19, 2023, Author and Historian Dr. Richard Melzer spoke about the life of businessman and former New Mexico Lt. Gov. Casey Luna as described in his book “Casey Luna: A Colorful Life in Business, Politics, and Motor Sports Championships“. Casey Luna, the subject of the presentation, was
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History of The University of Albuquerque

Aerial View of the University of Albuquerque On Sunday, January 15, 2023, Author and Historian John Taylor spoke on his recent book “The School on the Bluff, A History of the University of Albuquerque“. The program was held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town Albuquerque. The University of Albuquerque began in
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History of UNM Press: The Largest Book Publishing Company in New Mexico

UNM Press Logo On Sunday, November 20, 2022, Beth Hadas spoke on the 92-year history of the University of New Mexico Press and provided a lesson in the history of book publishing in the second half of the twentieth century as well as a in some ways an overview of New Mexico history
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One With the Land: Voices of the Atrisco Land Grant

Atrisco Community Land Grant flyer On Sunday, October 16, 2022, Anthony “Tony” DellaFlora spoke about the history of the Atrisco land grant, the creation of the video on the topic and showed the documentary “One With the Land: Voices of the Atrisco Land Grant“. This is the oldest and largest land grant in NM going
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Ever Changing, Ever Growing – Picture This!: Online Storytelling Through Photo Archives

Photo from Albuquerque Digital Archive On Sunday, September 18, 2022, Jill Hartke, Albuquerque Museum Digital Archivist, spoke about the digital resources of the museum’s photo archives and how she shares stories focusing on those about Albuquerque from the collection online. Have you ever wanted to learn how to create a visual podcast? She will introduce
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The History of Public Art Urban Enhancement in Albuquerque

Photo of Francisco Cuervo y Valdés Statue Photo On Sunday, August 21, 2022, Sherri Brueggemann spoke about the History of Public Art in Albuquerque. Sherri focussed on describing the history of the current Public Art Urban Enhancement Program beginning with the adoption and implementation of the Art in Public Places Ordinance in 1978. She traced the program’s trajectory
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Neighborhoods at a Crossroads: Hoffmantown

Hoffmantown Neighborhood History Program Photo Anthony “Tony” DellaFlora spoke about the History of the Hoffmantown neighborhood in NE Albuquerque and showed a documentary from his “Neighborhoods at a Crossroads” series. The program was held on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. The presentation was live-streamed on
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African American Homesteaders in Albuquerque, NM

East End Addtion Plat Map from The City Engineer's Office Collection As part of the “Facing The Rising Sun” – The Journey of African American Homesteaders in New Mexico exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum, Social Historian Rita Powdrell in this presentation focused on homesteaders in Albuquerque, NM and the vision of land ownership and how this vision and the sovereign ownership of land
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AHS 2021-2022 Programs
AHS 2020-2021 Programs
AHS 2019-2020 Programs
AHS 2018-2019 Programs
AHS 2017-2018 Programs
AHS 2016-2017 Programs
AHS 2015-2016 Programs
AHS 2014-2015 Programs
AHS 2013-2014 Programs