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Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Traditions! Marketplace to Add Museum
The Associated Press
SANTA FE — A multicultural museum will be moving into a marketplace between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Businessman Jim Long has donated space at Traditions! A Festival Marketplace for the Legends of New Mexico Museum, which will showcase the state's history. The museum will open later this year at the retail center, at the Budaghers exit off Interstate 25.
Long is chief executive officer of Albuquerque-based American Property Management, which bought the former outlet center about two years ago. The renovated center houses galleries, shops and restaurants featuring New Mexico products.
"The goal of the museum is that both residents and out-of-state visitors walk away knowing more about New Mexico history," said New Mexico Multi-Cultural Foundation executive director Donna Pedace. The new museum will fall under the auspices of the nonprofit foundation, which Long established last June to preserve and promote traditional arts and culture in the state.
"The foundation reflects my passion and commitment to the New Mexico culture and heritage, and it will provide support to the real heroes of New Mexico — those talented and creative artists, craftspeople, entertainers and preparers of native foods who are the heartblood of the state's unique culture and heritage," Long said.
The museum will cover all aspects of New Mexico history, "from the fun and funky to serious academic issues," Pedace said.
She expects exhibits to change every eight to 18 months. The museum also plans a wall of honor, which will change every six months, featuring groups ranging from Olympic athletes to Buffalo Soldiers.
"The first group we'll do will be Medal of Honor winners," Pedace said. "There are only 3,400 winners in the history of the United States, and we've got about nine who are from New Mexico and another eight or nine with strong ties to the state."