Controversial statue of Diego de Vargas back on display in Santa Fe

The statue of Diego de Vargas is back on public display in Santa Fe.

This time it is part of a temporary educational exhibit that is open for public viewing, free of charge, at the New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Ave. Visitors can stop by the front desk of the museum to inquire about non-admission viewing access of the statue.

The statue has not been on public display since 2020. It was removed in the wake of a shooting during a protest about the statue in Albuquerque, according to a New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs news release.

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber issued a proclamation that ordered the immediate removal of the statue from Cathedral Park in Santa Fe.

Originally the statue, created by sculptor Donna Quasthoff, was placed in Cathedral Park in downtown Santa Fe in 2007.

This June 2024, the Santa Fe City Council approved the plan to display the statue in a “holistic and contemporary” context.

“Today we achieved an important milestone for our city: The statue of Don Diego de Vargas has been returned to public view,” said Webber in a statement. “I’m grateful to the Caballeros de Vargas, to the Pueblo of Tesuque and to the New Mexico History Museum for their outstanding collaboration in making this a reality.”

Placing the statue in the museum is the first step needed to lean into an opportunity for education, discussion, listening and learning, he added.

“The de Vargas installation is intended to be a place where people can reflect on the complexities of New Mexico history,” said Billy Garrett, the executive director of the New Mexico History Museum. “A lot of work has gone into creating this space in just six short weeks. Over time, we may identify ways to improve the experience, but for now I’m happy that we’re able to add this exhibit to the range of things visitors can do in the museum.”

Additional aspects of the exhibit include a short overview of 17th century New Mexico and opportunities for people to share their thoughts about historical figures, monuments and the de Vargas statue, according to the news release.

“We can now once again be able to use this statue as a tool for learning and educating everyone on the rich history Santa Fe has to offer,” said Gary Delgado, president of Caballeros de Vargas, in a statement. “This is a temporary installation and we will be working with our community to find a permanent place that will be able to house the sculpture in a respectful and safe location.”

The controversial statue had been removed from Cathedral Park in Santa Fe in 2020 and put away for safekeeping over issues of racial discrimination, which led to the removal of statue and monuments around the country. It was later turned up in someone’s backyard.

De Vargas is a polarizing figure as the leader of the Spaniards’ resettlement of Santa Fe 12 years after being driven out of the territory during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.