Valencia County Historical Society 

Events

Presentations & Events

Upcoming Presentations & Events

Past Recorded Presentations

Geologic History of Valencia County by Paul Parmentier Link to a video of the presentation from November 2nd : https://tinyurl.com/56hwsecd 


Los Lunas Mystery Stone by John Taylor  Link to a video of the presentation from November 12th: https://www.facebook.com/pg/vchsnm/events/?ref=page_internal 

Presentations & Events by Other Associations

!!SAVE THE DATE!!

Historical Society of New Mexico Conference

April 24 - 26, 2025

Roswell, New Mexico


Sat., July 27th, at 10 AM,  in person event, the Wheels Museum at 1100 2nd St., SW in ABQ presents Hazel Lathrop, who will give a presentation on “The History of Bus Tokens”.  Description: “Hazel Lathrop will speak about bus tokens and the history of that mode of travel. Bus and subway fare tokens were a fact of life for many commuters in cities large and small across the country. Fare tokens were a convenience for frequent riders and provided savings over cash fares. Introduced by 1930 they were still in use in the 1970’s.  Shortly after the railroad arrived in Albuquerque in 1885, it became clear that people would need transportation from the depot to their destination. From the mule drawn wagons of 1880 to electrically moved trolleys on rails in 1904 the need to provided public transportation grew as the city grew.  Find out more about fare tokens, how the Albuquerque Bus Company grew, who and how fare tokens were made and changing fare structures.”

Free but donations are always accepted,  Reservations required.  Call 505-243-6269.

 

Sat., July 27th, from 9 AM to 1 PM,  in person event, the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces  holds its “Summertime on the Farm”.

Description: “Make plans to enjoy a fun, family event at the museum on July 27.  The third annual Summertime-on-the-Farm begins at 9 am. The fun includes ice cream making, food trucks, scavenger hunt, bicycle parade (12 yrs. or younger), trolley rides, milking demonstrations. There also will be pony rides for children ($5 per ride cash only).  Admission for the event is $20 per carload, it includes activities and all the museum regular offerings.  Kids bicycle parade will kick off the event. All participants are urged to decorate their bikes in a farm theme. All participants to be registered by 9:15 am. Registration will be in front of the main entrance.  This event is being held in conjunction with New Mexico’s 4-H Achievement Week and projects created by their members will be on display. All projects will be on display from July 30 until August 9.  Summertime-on-the-Farm is supported by the Friends of the Museum.”

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/rtvbb625 

For more information, please call (575) 522-4100.

 

Sat., July 27th at 11 AM, in person event, the Special Collections Library at the corner of Edith and Central Ave. in ABQ will offer its monthly tour of the library. Description: “Take a tour of Albuquerque's oldest public library. The Special Collections Library houses research collections on Albuquerque history and New Mexico history and culture. The 1925 Pueblo/Spanish Revival-style building is a registered Albuquerque landmark in the historic Huning Highlands neighborhood. Our bimonthly tours are on the 4th Saturday of every other month at 11:00 a.m.. You are also welcome to call us at 505-848-1376 or to email us to schedule a tour if the regularly scheduled tour is not convenient.”

See this web page: https://libevents.abqlibrary.org/event/11137110 

For additional info call the library at 848-1376.

 

Sun., July 28th at 2 PM, in person event,  the Friends of Coronado Historic Site, at the Martha Liebert Public Library at 124 Calle Malinche in Bernalillo, presents Dr. Eloy Garcia, who will give a presentation on “Manifest Destiny: Still Spurring the US Immigration Debate”.   Description: “Refreshments will be served, masks are optional.  Manifest Destiny; Still Spurring the US Immigration Debate.   The current US alarmist immigration debate is a historical one rooted in misunderstanding of history, geography and dated ideas of Manifest Destiny and “American Exceptionalism.” The presentation will touch on the immigration debate as part of the larger political culture wars that attempt to divide the country between the perceived correct and proper “American” and “Others.”  Our speaker will be Dr. Eloy Garcia, lawyer, peace activist, historian, and instructor at CNM.”

See this Facebook post: https://tinyurl.com/92jn74f3 

For more info send a message to friendsofchs@comcast.net or call 867-5351.

 

Tue., July 30th from 1:30 PM to 3 PM, virtual and in person event, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s Celtic Research Group meets on the second floor at the ABQ main library at 5th and Copper Sts. in ABQ and on-line.

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/293627xj 

Link to register if you wish to participate on-line via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/mr3ejmzr 

 

Tue., July 30th from 10:30 AM to 2 PM, in person event, Albuquerque Genealogical Society (AGS) Research Day: need help with your genealogy?  At the main ABQ library at 5th and Copper, in the genealogy center on the second floor.  No set schedule.  The number in the genealogy center is 768-5141.

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/372kfnb5 

 

Sep. 19th thru 22nd, in person event, 27th International Conference of the Anza Society, at the Holiday Inn in Old Town Albuquerque. See this web page for the limited info currently available: https://anzasociety.square.site/#JuFhAW Registration is now open.  Detailed agenda now listed on web site.

 

Fri., Aug. 2nd at 10:30 AM, virtual and in person event, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s DNA Research Group meets on the second floor at the ABQ main library at 5th and Copper Sts. in ABQ and on-line.

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/2eyahdnb 

Link to the registration form: https://tinyurl.com/ubtwut34  if attending virtually).

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Sat., Aug 3rd at 2 PM, in person event, the Taos County Historical Society presents Virginia Dodier, who will give a lecture on “Presbyterian Missions of Northern New Mexico”.  Free.  At the Kit Carson electric cooperative boardroom at 118 Cruz Alta Road in Taos.  Partial description: “The talk will focus on the lives of Hispano clergy and evangelists including José Yñéz Perea, Gabino Rendón, Vicente Ferrer Romero and John Whitlock, who all founded Presbyterian churches in Northern New Mexico. Their work, as well as that of teachers and evangelists, and the construction of churches, schools and hospitals, was funded by Presbyterian congregations across the United States through the Board of Home Missions. Though the Hispanic people of New Mexico were fellow Americans, the mission organizers back East thought of them as “Our Mexicans.””

See this web page: http://taoscountyhistoricalsociety.org/ 

For more information contact Ernestine Córdova at cordova@newmex.com or call 575-770-0681.

 

Sat., Aug 3rd at 11 AM, in person event, the Gutierrez-Hubbell House at 6029 Isleta Blvd. SW in ABQ presents  a Guided Historic House Tour.  Free.  Description: “Discover why this Territorial-style 1850s adobe home and surrounding property is considered so significant and has both state and national historic recognition. Learn about some of the fascinating history of this very prominent bilingual, bicultural family and the connection they had to the El Camino Real. Museum opens at 10 am, tour starts at 11 am, no reservations needed, free event.  Tour given by Site Manager, David Ottaviano.”

See this web page: https://gutierrez-hubbellhouse.org/activities  - scroll down the page

 

Tue., Aug. 6th at 10:30 AM, virtual and in person event, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society’s Military Research Group meets on the second floor of the main ABQ library at 5th and Copper in ABQ.  At this meeting the topic will be Women at War.

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/wukdnhsu 

If planning to attend the meeting via Zoom, register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/yr52a262 

For more info contact Stuart Murray at stubucks@gmail.com 

 

Wed., Aug. 7th at noon, virtual event, the Friends of History (Santa Fe) presents Ellen Wilder Bradbury-Reid, who will give a lecture on “A Nuclear Family: Coming of Age in Oppenheimer’s Secret City”.  Partial description: “Ellen will draw on her memories of growing up as a child in Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project, and the early years following.  Her father, Edward Wilder, was part of the team which built the explosives shell for the “Fat Man” nuclear bomb  detonated over Nagasaki in August 1945. He had told her they were doing something that had never been done before…which made a big impression on her. Although a child, she even wanted to be a “spy” for the project. She worried about the effects of the bomb since she had, by accident, seen raw footage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  She offers these memories to provide some insight into the cloistered life during Los Alamos, New Mexico’s early years.”

Free or donation up to $25 accepted.  See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/bdfpcvmj  

For more info  send e-mail to nmhmfriendsofhistory@gmail.com 

 

Sat., Aug. 10th from 2 PM to 5 PM, in person event, the El Morro Area Arts Council will hold a free event with several presenters on “The History of the Old Schools”.  At the Old School Gallery at mile marker 46 on state route 53 (east of El Morro National Monument).  See this web page with more info: https://tinyurl.com/yckfp8pf 

 

Sat., Aug. 10th the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts at 251 Main St., SE (under the water tower) in Los Lunas will open a new exhibit on Elections Past of Valencia County and Beyond.  See this Valencia County News-Bulletin item: https://tinyurl.com/2ta2upr9 

 

Sat., Aug. 10th at 10:30 AM, in person event, the Special Collections Library at the corner of Central Ave. and Edith in ABQ, as part of its series Ever Changing, Ever Growing, presents Lindy Blaskey, who will give a presentation on “Albuquerque’s Music Scene in the 1960s”.  Description: “Lindy Blaskey and the LaVells were one of the most popular bands in the Southwest during the mid-’60s rock explosion. The band’s frantic and dance-friendly rock made them the kings of the Albuquerque teen scene, and their popularity extended across the state of New Mexico. In 2017, Lindy Blaskey and the LaVells were inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame.  Join us on August 10, 2024 for the next installment of our speaker series, Ever Changing, Ever Growing, and journey back to this famous musical era with our special guest speaker Lindy Blaskey.”

See this web page for more info: https://libevents.abqlibrary.org/event/11136886 

 

Sat., Aug. 10th from 1 PM to 3 PM, in person event, Casa San Ysidro at 973 Old Church Road in Corrales, as part of its Second Saturday program, presents a program on “Time Travel”.  Free.  Description: “Time Travel is a world-class immersive and interactive living history program that engages audiences by transporting them back in time to relive historical experiences. Audiences can interact with characters from a historical time period through games, activities, arts, events, and more. This program offers learning processes in local heritage and history and creates opportunities for reflection on contemporary issues.”

See this web page for more info: https://tinyurl.com/y8m3ss4k  

For more info  contact Aaron Gardner at agardner@cabq.gov  or call 505-898-3915.

 

Wed., Aug. 14th at 10:30 AM virtual and in person event, at the main Albuquerque Library at 5th and Copper Sts. in ABQ, the Albuquerque Genealogical Society (AGS) meets for Summer Stories.  Partial description: “For many years, we have had an annual storytelling meeting where we can share our accomplishments with like-minded family researchers. Since many of us are in families who are not enthusiastic about family history research, we need to take time to listen, encourage, help, rejoice, or sympathize with each other. We will divide into small groups that allow everyone to tell of their recent genealogical adventures. We also will collect ideas for next year’s programs.”

See this web page: https://tinyurl.com/yhdhcka4 

If planning to attend the meeting via Zoom, register at this link: https://tinyurl.com/4yjxbbck