With attractions both indoors and outdoors, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Visit the Bruce King Building containing more than 24,000 square feet of exhibit space, head to Skaggs Barn to see live demonstrations, outside further exhibits and several gardens await you. Gifts and souvenirs are available to purchase in the Eagle Ranch Mercantile.
Indoor Attractions at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
The Bruce King Building
Start your visit to the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in the Bruce King Building, featuring permanent exhibits that tell the unique story of farming, ranching and rural life in New Mexico.
Farm Life in New Mexico: Then & Now
Featuring sections Moving Around, On the Farm, Home Sweet Home and Going to Town, this exhibit explores farming in New Mexico past and present. As you explore the exhibit’s four sections, objects from the Museum’s collections and the exhibit’s design bring farm life in New Mexico: Then & Now to life.
Inside Story of the Roadside View
Discover the Mesilla Valley through the eyes of highway drivers. Inside Story of the Roadside View offers a detailed look at irrigation, dairies, ranching and other crops that highway drivers see up and down the Mesilla Valley.
Generations
Generations will take you on a journey through 150 generations and over 4,000 years of agriculture in New Mexico using the biographies of 33 individuals from New Mexico’s history. Displayed throughout the exhibit are ancient tools, a replica of a Mogollon pithouse, audio interviews and hands-on activities.
Live Demonstrations in Skaggs Dairy Barn
Inside Skaggs Dairy Barn, exhibits trace New Mexico’s unique and long history of dairy production. Milking demonstrations, Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and often at 3 p.m., are not to be missed.
Outdoor Attractions at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
Outside, you can wander along the pathways of the Antique Equipment Park, marvel at the Museum’s gardens and orchards, visit the Watering Place and take a guided cart tour to see and learn about the livestock significant to New Mexico’s history and modern producers.
Antique Equipment Park
Southwest of the Bruce King Building is the Museum’s Antique Equipment Park. Stroll the pathways and explore the dozens of farm implements including threshing machines, hay rakes, cultivators, planters and other horse-drawn and tractor-pulled equipment.
Gardens and Orchards
On the grounds of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, you will find gardens and orchards. Visit the pistachio orchards. Learn about curious cacti in the Museum’s Cactus Garden. In the Discovery Garden, there is much to be explored.
Watering Place
Don’t miss Watering Place, located in the South 20 portion of the Museum. This unique sculpture, shaped like a water tank, by artist Armando Alvarez was made in honor of New Mexico agriculturalists and signifies the importance of water for farming, ranching and life in New Mexico.
Livestock Tours
Take a tour of the livestock corrals on the Museum’s campus. Cart tours are available during Museum hours and allow visitors to discover more about the cattle raised in New Mexico.
Shopping at the Eagle Ranch Mercantile
Be sure to stop by the Eagle Ranch Mercantile, offering a variety of Southwestern gifts, New Mexico books, souvenirs and jewelry as well as a large selection of New Mexico gourmet food products. In addition, the Eagle Ranch Mercantile includes a Snack Bar that sells light lunch items like hot dogs and sandwiches as well as popcorn, ice cream and other treats.
- In addition to its permanent exhibits, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum features rotating exhibits in the Bruce King Building’s Temporary Gallery and north, south and central corridors.