Las Golondrinas Heroes: Louann Jordan and Pat Kuhlhoff

Every once in a while, someone comes along that makes a big impression. Here at Las Golondrinas, we have been blessed with so many wonderful volunteers, staff members and members that we have decided to feature them from time to time via our Las Golondrinas Heroes column. Two of our biggest heroes who have left us over the past year are Louann Jordan and Pat Kuhlhoff, two strong, amazing women who shared passions for history, New Mexico and the Las Golondrinas mission.

Louann Jordan

Louann Jordan

Louann Jordan had a 45-year relationship with Las Golondrinas. Over that time she served as a staff member, a volunteer, and a close confidant to the LG family. It is thanks to her that we have our name, El Rancho de las Golondrinas – the museum was originally called The Old Cienega Village Museum — she suggested the name somehow include the swallows that fly through the property, and thus the name was changed.

Over the years Louann curated exhibits, designed the font that makes up our current logo, illustrated maps of the property and worked at countless festivals and special events for the museum. She was an incredible artist and had a passion for this museum and the land on which it sits. Louann passed away earlier this year, but has left an amazing legacy to Las Golondrinas.

Pat Kuhlhoff was also an aficionado of New Mexico history, volunteering at the New Mexico History Museum, leading historic walking tours of downtown Santa Fe, volunteering for trails organizations and volunteering at Las Golondrinas.

Pat and her husband Gene moved here in 1989 after falling in love with the high desert and the vast history surrounding Santa Fe. Gene passed away in 1991, and Pat threw herself into volunteering for a number of Santa Fe organizatons, including the Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Symphony and, of course, Las Golondrinas. Dan Goodman once said of Pat, “She has a knack for understanding and explaining history and engaging visitors, getting their imagination going.”

Pat Kuhlhoff

Pat Kuhlhoff

Pat passed away in 2019 and her presence at Las Golondrinas is sorely missed.

Both Pat and Louann had such passion for this special place, which makes them true Las Golondrinas heroes. Both women wanted to ensure that their legacy included Las Golondrinas, giving posthumous gifts to the museum through their wills.

We are so grateful to both Louann and Pat for that generosity — of time, of talent, of energy. It is thanks to heroes like them that we are able to continue the important work and mission of Las Golondrinas.

If you would like more information on legacy gifts or including Las Golondrinas in your will or estate, Email Jackie Camborde, Director of Development.