Free Admission Announced to Taos Historic Museums on April 30

Taos Historic Museums is giving the public an opportunity to explore one of the few Spanish Colonial "great houses" - Hacienda de los Martinez Museum - and the home/museum of Taos Society of Artists founder E.L. Blumenschein with free admission on April 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. The event includes free, docent led tours and refreshments. A private reception for media and tourism industry employees (not open to the public) will follow, featuring live music; painting demonstrations; artist appearances; hors d'oeuvres; and wine.

"The purpose of this special event is to share with the public the degree with which the E.L. Blumenschein Home and Museum and La Hacienda de los Martinez solely represent the customs and culture of Taos - all that make us what we are," said Taos Historic Museums Program Coordinator, Nancy Delpero. "These historic homes represent life as it was two centuries ago - in interpreting what that history means to us today, and in passing on an understanding and respect for those lessons which shape our future."

Docent led tours for the public will begin at 1:30 p.m at the Blumenschein Museum and 2:30 p.m. at the Martinez Hacienda, free of charge. Membership discounts and discounts in the gift shop will be available during the evening. A private reception for travel concierges and media will follow at 4:30 p.m., featuring live music, private docent tour, painting demonstration, hors d'oeuvres and wine from Black Mesa Winery at the Blumenschein Museum. Plus, local artists Richard Alan Nichols and Barbara Harmon will be at the event. Harmon's "Magic and Mastery: 65 Years of Painting in Taos" exhibit is currently on display at the Blumenschein through May 12.

Then at 6:30 p.m., the private reception will move to Martinez Hacienda, where nearly every room will be filled with demonstrations including weaving, straw appliqué, quilting, and Herrero (blacksmithing).

Martinez Hacienda recently installed a new children's corner, available to kids for the first time on April 30. Thanks to the generous support of the St. James Women's Group, the children's corner allow little ones to explore a trunk full of clothing, books, old time games, and crafts which give them a sense of what life was like in the 1800's.

Likewise, the Blumenschein's Art Center in the museum's historic east studio will feature a new youth art program with drop in rates available. The Blumenschein Art Center is also hosting adults workshops led by world renowned artists. Private day and/or weekend classes are available for drawing, still life, portrait, and plein air landscape painting. Call for workshop prices.

On Mother's Day (May 12) Blumenschein will host a special Mother's Day Tea at the front garden, weather permitting. Two seatings are available - tea at 1 p.m., which includes scones for $10; and high tea at 3 p.m. with sandwiches, scones, and more for $15. Then on May 17, Blumenschein Museum's "Print 2013" exhibit featuring historic prints by seven of Taos' early printmakers. For a list of all events at the Blumenschein, visit taoshistoricmuseums.com/calendar/

Martinez Hacienda's "Cultural Threads: Nellie Dunton and the Colcha Revival in NM" exhibit will continue through June 9, 2013. Then on June 28, a reception will take place at 5 p.m. for the opening of "Martinez y Martinez," highlighting the work of Andres Martinez and his son AndrIan Martinez.

Finally, on July 13 at 6 p.m., support the Taos Historic Museums at their annual Fandango fundraiser at Old Martina's Hall in Taos.

History of Martinez Hacienda and E.L. Blumenschein Museum.

The Martinez Hacienda was built in 1804 by Don Severino Martinez (formerly known by the surname, Martin) where he lived with his wife Maria del Carmel and their six children including Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, who battled the French Bishop Lamy and brought the first printing press to Taos. The Hacienda was the final terminus for the Camino Real which connected northern New Mexico to Mexico City. Today the Hacienda's 21 rooms surrounding two courtyards provide the visitor with a rare glimpse of the rugged frontier life and times of the early 1800s. The museum also holds the distinction of a National Historic Site.

The E.L. Blumenschein Home and Museum serves as a tribute to artists Ernest Blumenschein and his wife Mary Greene Blumenschein. Ernest, one of the founders of the Taos Society of Artists, studied in Paris and New York. He eventually settled in Taos, a fitting backdrop for his talent. The artist and his wife (she was an award-winning artist) worked together on a number of projects. The museum includes many of the family's original furnishings and paintings, including those of Ernest, Mary and their daughter Helen. It serves as a memento of the art colony of Taos. The museum is also a National Historic Landmark.

For more information about Taos Historic Museums visit taoshistoricmuseums.com; or email Nancy Delpero at blume(at)taoshistoricmuseums(dot)org or call 575-758-0505.