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:

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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In-person Guided Tour of the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Library

Photo of the Main Floor NM Veterans Memorial Library On Sunday, April 24, 2022 at 2 p.m., Librarian Teresa La Chance will provide an in-person tour of the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Library. The process and accomplishments of organizing and cataloguing the wealth of military history information will be presented. The tour of the library will include the main
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Victory from the Shadows

Cover of Victory from the Shadows On Sunday March 20, 2022, Elaine Carson Montague presented the book Victory from the Shadows, co-written by the speaker, Elaine Carson Montague and her late husband Gary Ted Montague. The book was published in 2019 and Gary Montague passed away on November 6, 2020. The book describes the life of
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The Ten Dons, Plus One

Cover of The Ten Dons 1904-1905 On Sunday, February 20, 2022, Librarian and Historian Kathy Seidel presented the story of a particularly interesting library artifact, the long-lived club that it describes, and an unexpected special character. The program was live-streamed on the AHS Facebook page with a question and answer session following the presentation. The Ten
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Erna Fergusson, First Lady of New Mexico Letters

Photo of Erna Fergusson On Sunday, January 16, 2022, Librarian and Albuquerque history presenter Joe Sabatini discussed the life and legacy of Ernestine Mary “Erna” Fergusson on the occasion of her 134th birthday. An Albuquerque local aristocrat, she was the daughter of Territorial and U.S. Congressman H.B. Fergusson and the granddaughter of Santa Fe
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The History of Los Poblanos

Undated photo of Los Poblanos Farm On Sunday, November 21, 2021, Kate Garner, the Culture & Community Event Director at Los Poblanos, gave a talk on the history of this storied land, including the rich cast of characters who have made it into the celebrated agritourism destination it is today. The program was live-streamed on the
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Stories of Early Albuquerque

Book Cover of Stories of Early Albuquerque October 2021 Albuquerque Historical Society Program On October 17, 2021, compiler and editor, Rosemary McNerney Winkler, presented excerpts from her book, “Stories of Early Albuquerque: As Told in the Albuquerque Genealogical Society Quarterly“. The book shares the history of some of the post-1848 families who helped usher the city into
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Overhaul: A Social History of the Albuquerque Locomotive Repair Shops

Overhaul Book Cover On Sunday, September 19, 2021, Richard and Shirley Cushing Flint spoke on their book: Overhaul: A Social History of the Albuquerque Locomotive Repair Shops. The AT&SF shops were the city and state’s largest employer from the 1880s-1950s. Its payroll drove the Albuquerque economy. The program was live-streamed on the AHS Facebook
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Sky Rider: Park Van Tassel and the Rise of Ballooning in the West

Cover of Sky Rider: Park Van Tassel and the Rise of Ballooning in the West On August 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., Gary B. Fogel will present his research leading to the book “Sky Rider: Park Van Tassel and the Rise of Ballooning in the West“. The virtual presentation will be via Zoom and available only to Albuquerque Historical Society members. AHS membership is only
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Building Community & Culture: Jews in 20th Century Albuquerque

Photo of Emil and Minnie's 50th Anniversary at old synagogue of Congregation B'nai Israel On Sunday, July 18, 2021, at 2 p.m., Harvey Buchalter presented his research on Jews in Albuquerque from the 1930’s to the 1960’s who have shaped Albuquerque’s culture, economic, and social life. He addressed why they chose to settle in Albuquerque, what risks they took, what innovations they made and
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Life of Mrs. Carnis Salisbury: Albuquerque Fair Housing and Civil Rights Pioneer

Photo of Carnis Salisbury On Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 2 p.m., Brian Eagan, Attorney for the Albuquerque Housing Authority presented “Life of Mrs. Carnis Salisbury: Albuquerque Fair Housing and Civil Rights Pioneer.” The program was live-streamed on the AHS Facebook page. Brian spoke about the remarkable life and lasting legacy of Mrs. Carnis
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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