New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors

We started the day with some replenishing of stocks and then went to the new Mexico History Museum. This is located in the historic Plaza so easy to get to. We arrived just in time to get the tour of the Palace of the Governors. This was a very interesting but the guide was inclined to be a bit long-winded.

The Palace of the Governors was first built in the early 17th century and has seen  Spanish soldiers, Pueblo peoples, Mexican governors, US generals and territorial governors living within its thick adobe walls. After 300 years as a Governors' Palace, it became the State's first museum in 1909 and has remained a museum ever since. It is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the US. The guide pointed out the various architectural styles related to the occupiers at each stage. There has always been a chapel in the Palace of the Governors so he brought us into the room that is a replica of the chapel. These photos are a bit dark.

The guided tour took almost an hour and a half so we beat a hasty retreat to a burrito bar and shared a burrito with carne asada. We have learned very quickly that one meal between two is sufficient for us. It means compromises though as we don't always want the same thing!

Following lunch we returned to the New Mexico History Museum. The main exhibition is entitled Telling New Mexico: Stories from Then and Now. This covers more than 500 years of history through the experiences of  Native peoples, Spanish colonists, Santa Fe Trail riders, the railroad, outlaws, artists, scientists, hippies and more. It was very interesting but exhausting as there were practically no seats and there were times a seat was sorely needed (with the emphasis on sore!).

                             
                                       Coat of chainmail

This was a book, written by Pat Garrett about the life of Billy the Kid. There was also a letter from Billy the Kid to a US official stating that he would testify in a  murder case if he were to be pardoned. Jim was fascinated by the perfect handwriting but neglected to take a photo!

We continued on into more modern times and into the history of the La Fonda Hotel on the Plaza and testimonies from staff who had worked there. By then my brain was overloaded and my back over sore so, as our pass had not been marked, we may return another day if something more pressing doesn't come up!

Artists and artisans display their handicrafted works of art under the Palace Portal.





At the edges of the Plaza there are lots of stalls/wagons selling street food that smells really enticing. This one caught our eyes. I wonder as his carnitas as good as mine?

Lovely woven rugs in one of the shops.

                               Big Chief Fighting Fit!

Finally we went in search of the Coyote Cafe where we had eaten on our last trip to Santa Fe. Ot wasn't difficult to find as wr knew it was over a street from the Blue Corn Cafe where we had eaten on our first Saturday here.