Learning
Curator’s Corner: Yucca
by Amanda Mather, Curator of Collections We eat it, use it for fiber, use it for needles and awls, make sandals out of it, make soap out of it, we just love the many uses of Yucca! Yucca is the state plant of New Mexico — it grows throughout most...
La Tiendita/General Store
Out of necessity, general stores like La Tiendita here at Las Golondrinas, got their start during the colonial period for the many pioneers who lived on the fringes of the frontier, far from any urban center. Many owners of these mercantiles began as traveling peddlers and once they had the...
El Camino Real
During the Spanish Colonial Period (1598-1821), New Mexico's main artery of connection to the outside world was El Camino Real, also known as the Royal Road or the King's Highway, which connected Santa Fe with Mexico City 1,200 miles away. The story of El Camino Real lasted more than 220...
The Spanish Barb Horse
The unusual history of this breed began in North Africa, the home of the Berbers. The long occupation of Spain by the invading warrior horsemen from North Africa brought about the creation of a superior horse. The agile desert bred African Barb horse was crossed with existing Spanish stock to...
Churro Sheep
Here at El Rancho de las Golondrinas we have a large animal family. Our biggest group is our flock of Churro Sheep, who are key in our "sheep to blanket" program. Our talented weavers turn Churro wool into beautiful textile art using traditional techniques! The Churro was the very first...
Burros Glossary
Compiled by Volunteer, Larry Marken Burro taxonomically, Equus asinus; a burro is a smaller (usually) equine of African ancestry (probable descent from the Nubian wild ass) which has been an invaluable draft animal in the American Southwest, most notably as a cargo carrier but also for riding; also important as...
Bizcochitos: New Mexico’s State Cookie!
The New Mexico state cookie, an anise and cinnamon-scented delight, and is delicious during any season, but particularly around Christmas time! Learn more about this delicious treat! Try this recipe from New Mexico Magazine! Makes about 6 dozen medium-size cookies 5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder...
Maíz or Corn
Learn More Sometimes referred to as the "Sacred Triad" or more commonly, "The Three Sisters," the combination of both growing and eating corn, beans, and squash together is a fortuitous one. Corn requires large amounts of nitrogen, while bean plants grown nearby can use the corn stalk as a beanpole...
Sorghum Presses and Mills
Presentation Goals Emphasize the theme of self-reliance among the region’s settlers during the colonial and territorial periods; Discuss the role of sorghum in the food supply of the ranch; Discuss (or illustrate and demonstrate) the extraction of juice from sorghum cane; Discuss the later steps in the preparation of sorghum...
YouthWorks Culinary Team Providing Meals from El Rancho de las Golondrinas Kitchen
Beginning March 26, the YouthWorks Culinary Team is joining with Santa Fe Public Schools to cook and distribute nutritious, reheatable meals to Santa Fe youth ages 1-18. The team, working out of the commercial kitchen at El Rancho de las Golondrinas Living History Museum, will be preparing take-and-go boxes for...
Colcha embroidery artist showcases work at China folk art market
By Olivia Harlow of the Santa Fe New Mexican Julia Gomez flips through photos of Churro sheep. The sheep, she said, are used to make wool that she gathers, cleans, dyes, weaves and uses for embroidery. Longtime Traditional Spanish Market artist Julia Gomez has become an...
Curator’s Corner: Spindle Whorls
by Amanda Mather, Curator of Collections Here is a little insight on an overlooked object, but one that helped keep us clothed for a very long time. Spindles are long sticks used to spin yarn, and the Spindle Whorl is the weighted piece at the end that helps maintain the...
Save the Date : Las Golondrinas Winter Lecture Series
Join us this winter at the New Mexico Museum of Art! January 28: Dr. Anna Nogar will speak on her book “Quill and Cross in the Borderlands: Sor Maria de Agreda and the Lady in Blue” February 25: Charlie Carrillo gives a talk on “Voice of the Hermandad: The History...
Curator’s Corner: Adobe—The Mud You Can Live In
by Amanda Mather, Curator of Collections Adobe — who doesn’t love the stuff? Talk about an easy-to-find resource — it’s literally everywhere. Adobe was the first construction material used by homo sapiens — to this day, 50% of the world’s people still live in some form of mud dwelling. When...