Taos, New Mexico, is rich in history, culture, and art, and its museums reflect the area’s diverse heritage and artistic legacy. Here’s a list of notable museums in Taos:
Harwood Museum of Art
- Location: 238 Ledoux Street, Taos, NM
- Description: Founded in 1923, this museum is one of the oldest in the state and is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the work of the Taos art community. It features both contemporary and historic art, with a strong focus on the Taos Society of Artists and New Mexico’s cultural history.
Taos Pueblo
- Location: 1209 State Highway 64, Taos, NM
- Description: A UNESCO World Heritage site, Taos Pueblo is an ancient Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. The site is open to visitors and offers insight into the history, culture, and traditions of the Taos people, as well as tours and educational programs about the Pueblo lifestyle.
Millicent Rogers Museum
- Location: 1504 Millicent Rogers Road, Taos, NM
- Description: This museum honors the life and legacy of Millicent Rogers, a philanthropist and art collector who helped shape the artistic and cultural landscape of Taos. The collection includes Native American jewelry, textiles, pottery, and art, along with exhibitions on Southwestern history and culture.
Taos Art Museum at Fechin House
- Location: 227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM
- Description: Located in the historic home of Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, this museum highlights the work of Fechin and other artists of the Taos art colony. The building itself is an architectural treasure, and the museum features paintings, sculpture, and other works by Fechin and his peers.
Kit Carson Home and Museum
- Location: 113 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM
- Description: This museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Kit Carson, the famous frontiersman and explorer. Located in his former home, the museum offers exhibits about his role in American history, Native American relations, and the settlement of the West.
Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center
- Location: 2301 N. Tesuque Creek Road, Taos, NM
- Description: While more of a visitor center than a traditional museum, the Earthship Biotecture center offers educational exhibits on sustainable living, passive solar architecture, and eco-friendly building techniques. Guided tours of the Earthship homes are available, showcasing innovative ways of living in harmony with nature.
Couse-Sharp Historic Site
- Location: 146 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM
- Description: The former homes and studios of artists E. Irving Couse and Joseph Henry Sharp, two founding members of the Taos Society of Artists, have been preserved as a museum. The site offers insight into the lives and works of these influential artists and the early days of the Taos art movement.
The Blumenschein Home & Museum
- Location: 222 Ledoux Street, Taos, NM
- Description: Once the home of artist Ernest L. Blumenschein, this museum showcases his artwork and documents his contributions to the Taos art colony. The museum offers a glimpse into the life of Blumenschein and the artistic community of Taos in the early 20th century.
These museums offer a range of experiences, from historical and cultural insights into Taos’ indigenous people and early explorers to contemporary art and modern sustainability practices. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or someone seeking to explore the area’s unique heritage, Taos’ museums provide a variety of fascinating ways to engage with the community’s rich legacy.