Feel the ancient adobe beneath your feet. This is the Palace of the Governors. Right here in front of you stands one of the oldest continuously occupied public buildings in the United States. Imagine the stories these walls could tell.
The Palace of the Governors wasn’t always a museum. For centuries it served as the seat of government. First for the Spanish colony of Nuevo Mexico. Then for the Mexican province of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico. Finally for the US Territory of New Mexico. Its role as a center of power lasted until 1901.
Think about it. This very building witnessed the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The Spanish returned in 1693. Mexican independence arrived in 1821. Then the American takeover in 1848. Even the Confederacy briefly held the Palace during the Civil War in 1862. What a history!
Even more fascinating are the personal tales interwoven into the Palace’s fabric. Lew Wallace the author of Ben-Hur finished his novel here. He wrote the dramatic Crucifixion scenes during a thunderstorm in 1879. He worked late into the night fearing bullets during the tense Lincoln County War.
The Palace of the Governors was not always in such good shape. In the early 20th century Dr Edgar Lee Hewett oversaw its restoration. Jesse L Nusbaum was hired as the first employee of the School of American Archaeology to help with this work. He emphasized blending the architecture with its environment.
In 1909 the New Mexico territorial legislature established the Museum of New Mexico. The Palace of the Governors served as its home until 2009 when the New Mexico History Museum opened next door. The Palace stands proudly. It’s now one of eight museums managed by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. This remarkable building received National Historic Landmark status in 1960. Even the US Postal Service honored it with a stamp in 1960.
Walk along its facade. Feel the weight of history beneath your fingertips. The Palace of the Governors isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to the diverse and enduring spirit of Santa Fe. It’s a journey through time. It is a story waiting to be rediscovered.