TAOS, NEW MEXICO, USA -- At over 400 years old, the town of Taos has a lot of history behind it dating back to the Spanish exploration and settlement of New Mexico. There's no better way to get a sense for the area and its famous residents of the past than by exploring Taos' five historic museums.

Hot Money Saving Tip!

Here's a money saving tip for museum fans - the Museum Association of Taos offers a combination ticket. For just $20.00 you can visit all five museums at your leisure. The ticket is good for a full year and it's even so transferable, so you can share it with a friend if you don't have time to visit all the museums. Ask for details at any of the museums below.

The Millicent Rogers Museum

It's hard to believe the awe-inspiring collection of art, jewelry and pottery all came from one personal collection. Millicent Rogers (1902 - 1953) was an heiress and fashion icon and designer who first fell in love with Taos in 1947, especially becoming enamored of the Native American culture and its arts and jewelry. Nearly two-thirds of the collection is comprised of exquisite Native American jewelry, but you'll also find permanent collections of Hispanic textiles and crafts and Native American painting, baskets, kachinas, pottery and textiles - over 8000 objects in all. The museum is also of note for his exceptional collection of Maria Martinez pottery - the largest of its kind in any museum.

The Harwood Museum of Art

Founded in 1923 and operated by the University of New Mexico, the galleries in the Harwood span the eclectic world of Taos art from its inception to the present. Galleries range from the Hispanic Traditions Gallery, with its amazing collection of retablos (paintings on wood), to the works of the Taos Moderns to notable twentieth century artists, as well as changing exhibitions.

La Hacienda de los Martinez

Housed in one of the few late Spanish Colonial "Great Houses" in the northern New Mexico style left in the American Southwest, the museum provides a glimpse into the rugged frontier life of the early 1800s through live demonstrations and exhibits.

The Kit Carson Home & Museum

The museum contains part of the original house Carson bought for his bride in 1843 and is filled with artifacts and exhibits illustrating Kit Carson's life, as well as others depicting the Native American and Hispanic cultures in northern New Mexico.

The Blumenschien Home and Museum

Ernest Blumenschien and Bert G. Phillips were traveling from Denver to northern Mexico in 1898 when their surrey wheel broke on a mountainous road near Taos. The men, young art students who had recently returned from Paris, so fell in love with the spectacular scenery they stayed and became instrumental in forming the famous Taos Society of Artists. The museum is maintained much the same way it was when the artists and his family lived there, and offers an insightful look into the lifestyle of Taos artists in the first half of the twentieth century.

Practicalities

For more information about visiting any Taos's historic museums, contact the Museum Association of Taos at 505-758-0505 or visit www.taoshistoricmuseums.org.

For more information about planning a visit to Taos, New Mexico contact the Taos Chamber of Commerce at 877-587-8915 or visit www.exploretaos.com.

Photo this page courtesy of the Harwood Museum.

Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day and The Low Carb Restaurant Guide, and the co-author of US Citizenship for Dummies. To learn more about Cheri, click here.