Rancho de las Golondrinas - New Mexico Living History Ranch

Visit Rancho de las Golondrinas - Ranch of the Swallows and Re-live History

Rancho de las Golondrinas, just south of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a Spanish colonial living history site. It is also a beautiful park with rolling hills, river valley and scenic mills and historic buildings dotting the countryside. It is so scenic that movies.. ranging from Westerns to Civil War sagas, have been filmed there.

History

The museum, dedicated to the heritage and culture of Spanish Colonial New Mexico, opened in 1972. Original colonial buildings on the site date from the early 18th century. In addition, historic buildings from other parts of northern New Mexico have been reconstructed at Las Golondrinas. Villagers clothed in the styles of the times show how life was lived in early New Mexico. Special festivals and theme weekends offer visitors an in-depth look into the celebrations, music, dance and many other aspects of life in the period when this part of the United States was ruled by Spain and Mexico.

A Magical Combination of Staff and Volunteers

As I toured the site, I was taken with the dedication of staff and volunteers to educating the public, children in particular, about how folks in colonial days actually lived. We saw the ovens where bread is baked, wells for water, threshing machines, a tanning shed, and more. As we toured the expansive site, a group of teens were also headed from building to building with a docent.

The staff and docents had taken great care in creating an experience that would draw all ages into the history of Santa Fe. My good friend Carol says there is a unique and beautiful collaboration between dedicated staff and volunteers which magically makes this living history site work.

Walk Back into the 1700's

The ranch was established early in the 1700's in a spring-fed valley ideal for agriculture. While touring I was able to see one of these springs come right out of the sandy loam and run into the Acequia Madre, which is a ditch carrying water through the ranch. Interestingly, this is the first "ditch" I have seen that qualifies to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built prior to 1739 and remains active today.

Photo Tour

Enjoy our photo tour of Rancho de las Golondrinas.

When You Visit

Rancho de las Golondrinas living history museum is one of Santa Fe's best kept secrets. Part of the reason is that their hours are limited. The museum is closed for the winter season and re-opens in April each year for docent-guided tours (by appointment) and in June for general admission. Their phone number is (505) 471-2261.