La Hacienda de los Martinez
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About the Museum: La Hacienda de los Martinez is one of the few northern New Mexico style, late Spanish Colonial period "Great Houses" remaining in the American Southwest. Built in 1804 by Severino Martin (later changed to Martinez), this fortress-like building with massive adobe walls became an important trade center for the northern boundary of the Spanish Empire. The Hacienda was the final terminus for the Camino Real (the royal road) which connected northern New Mexico to Mexico City. The Hacienda also was the headquarters for an extensive ranching and farming operation.
Severino and his wife Maria del Carmel Santistevan Martinez raised six children in the Hacienda. Their eldest son was the famous Padre Antonio Martinez who battled the French Bishop Lamy to preserve the Hispanic character of the Catholic Church in the territory. The Padre was a dynamic social reformer who created the first coeducational school in New Mexico and brought the first printing press to Taos.
After Mexican Independence from Spain in 1821, Severino Martinez and his family became active in trading with the Americans who were bringing badly needed trade goods in by the Santa Fe Trail.
Today the Hacienda's twenty-one rooms surrounding two courtyards provide the visitor with a rare glimpse of the rugged frontier life and times of the early 1800s. Additionally, regularly scheduled demonstrations present the traditional arts and crafts of the region.
About the Museum Shop: Tradition lives at la Hacienda de los Martinez gift shop where visitors can find bultos, retablos, quilts, and vividly colored hand-woven textiles. Regularly scheduled demonstrations at the museum present the traditional arts and crafts of the region and provide visitors the opportunity to meet the artists. Our publications will add to your knowledge about these southwestern crafts and their makers.
General Information:
Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5
Please call for winter hours.
708 Hacienda Rd. off of Ranchitos Road
(mailing: 222 Ledoux St.)
Taos NM 87571
575-758-1000
hacienda@taoshistoricmuseums.org
Tickets are sent within two business days via first class mail. If you plan to use your MAT tickets within the next two weeks, we recommend purchasing them in person at any of the participating museums.
