History

History of the Museum

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas (The Ranch of the Swallows) a historic ranch and now a living history museum, was strategically located on the Camino Real, the Royal Road that extended from Mexico City to Santa Fe. The ranch provided goods for trade and was a place where the caravans that plied the road would stop on their journey coming from or going to Santa Fe. It was a paraje or an official rest stop for travelers on the Camino Real.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, located on 500 acres in a rural farming valley just south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, strives to maintain examples of historic lifeways. The museum opened in 1972 and is dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th and 19th-century New Mexico. Original buildings on the site date from the early 1700s.

In 1932, Leonora Curtin and her mother purchased the ranch property. Leonora is known for the founding of Santa Fe’s Native Market in an effort to save and reestablish traditional craft forms and techniques, and to provide local artisans with a source of income during the Great Depression. After their marriage in 1946, Leonora and her Finnish husband, Yrjö Alfred (Y.A.) Paloheimo, saw the potential in the old ranch as a site for an outdoor living history museum.

Both Leonora and Y.A. devoted themselves to transforming the property into a place where visitors could physically engage with the rich culture of the region and become immersed in the history of New Mexico. Existing historic buildings were restored, period structures were erected and historic buildings were brought in from other sites around New Mexico. The museum officially opened its doors in the spring of 1972 and over time has grown into New Mexico’s premier living history museum. Today the museum promotes and preserves the heritage of Northern New Mexico, while at the same time building a better understanding of the lasting influence of the peoples of the Southwest.

50th Anniversary

In 2022, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas celebrated its 50th Anniversary as New Mexico’s Premier Living History Museum. The museum took on “50 Events for the 50th,” including a heart-pumping half marathon, an informative and thoughtful Archaeological Symposium, a star-studded Fiesta Matanza featuring dinner and dancing and a once-in-a-lifetime donor trip to Spain. The Las Golondrinas board, staff and volunteers send heartfelt thanks to all who made our first 50 so memorable – we look forward to spending the next 50 with you as well!