Las Golondrinas Names Goodman Museum Director

From left to right: board chair Steve Machen Ph.D., assistant museum director Sean Paloheimo and museum director Daniel Goodman

The board of directors of the award-winning living history museum, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, has named Daniel Goodman its fourth director.

Board Chair Dr. Stephen Machen said, “Dan Goodman is a natural leader who has the knowledge, experience, drive and talents to help us achieve our strategic goals.”

When told of his appointment, Goodman said, “Las Golondrinas is a living history museum like none other in the United States, with a top-tier staff, extraordinary volunteers, and ever-growing community support. I’m deeply honored to have been chosen.”

Goodman had served as interim director since May 2017 upon the departure of former museum director Dawn St. George, Ph.D.

Goodman joined Las Golondrinas in 2012 as curator for its extensive collections and was promoted to director of education and collections in 2016. He previously served as registrar for the New Mexico Museum of Art, and as collections manager for the Indiana State Museum’s 11 Historic Sites.

He has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, and a master’s degree in history and museum studies from the University of Missouri.

Goodman taught museum administration at the University of Southern Indiana, has published scholarly articles, and spoken before the New Mexico Association of Museums on such topics as engaging online museum audiences and sharing museum collections.

According to Goodman, long time museum employee Sean Paloheimo will be taking over as assistant museum director, bringing years of experience, knowledge and passion. Sean had been serving as director of operations and interim assistant museum director. “When it comes to managing a large and complex operation like Las Golondrinas, you want someone like Sean by your side.” said Goodman.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, Spanish for “Ranch of the Swallows,” was established around 1700 as a stopping place with water and supplies for travelers on Spain’s El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, its Royal Road of the Interior Lands, from Mexico City to Santa Fe.

Las Golondrinas today is a popular tourist site with upwards of 55,000 visitors a year. It features 34 historic structures and agricultural fields on 200 scenic acres with volunteer costumed interpreters explaining more than 300 years of history, mostly focused on southwestern Hispanic influences.