The New Mexico Historic Preservation Division has announced the allocation of nearly $1.2 million to eight restoration projects across the state through the Cultural Properties Restoration Fund. The projects, which span from Taos to Hillsboro to Portales, aim to preserve New Mexico's cultural heritage.
"This statewide program enables us to support organizations working to preserve New Mexico’s cultural heritage, and we’re thrilled to see it continue to grow in its second year of funding," said State Historic Preservation Officer Michelle Ensey.
The funding for these projects comes from the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, established by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2023, with further investments made by the legislature in 2024. The Cultural Properties Restoration Fund was initially set up in the mid-1990s but had not received funding for decades until recently.
The grant program allows state agencies and other political subdivisions to receive up to $250,000 for eligible historic preservation efforts. This year, eight projects were selected by the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division with approval from the statewide Cultural Properties Review Committee. The total funding marks a 20 percent increase over last year's cycle when five projects received $1 million.
Each proposal is evaluated based on its scope of work, adherence to preservation standards, and potential threats or damage to the property. Among this year's recipients are Casa San Ysidro in Corrales and Albuquerque’s Special Collections Library, each receiving $250,000 for roof replacement efforts. Other funded projects include mold remediation at Harwood Museum of Art in Taos and adobe wall repairs at Hillsboro Community Center.
Additional grants were awarded for updating Santa Fe's Acequia Madre listing on the New Mexico Register of Historic Places and stabilization efforts at Salmon Ruins in San Juan County. Smaller grants will support preservation assessments at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and archaeological feature stabilization at Eastern New Mexico University’s Blackwater Draw site.
Funding will be distributed as a lump sum through a Joint Powers Agreement, with each project expected to be completed within two years.
More information about these initiatives can be found through the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Information from this article can be found here.
