Heritage Preservation Month | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Heritage Preservation Month

The 2015 theme of Heritage Preservation Month was “preserving cultural landscapes that influenced New Mexico artists.” Georgia O’Keeffe’s Black Place in northwestern New Mexico was the subject of several of her best known paintings. Photo by Karla McWilliams.

Each May, the Historic Preservation Division mounts a statewide outreach campaign to highlight community preservation achievements during Heritage Preservation Month by publishing a free poster that illustrates a topical theme, presents preservation awards and publicizes community events.

Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Heritage Preservation Month is co-sponsored by local preservation groups, state historical societies, parks, business and civic organizations across the country. During Preservation Month, events are planned to promote historic places for the purpose of instilling national and community pride, encouraging heritage tourism, and showing the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.

In New Mexico, as elsewhere, preservation and Main Street organizations use this month-long opportunity to showcase how they are celebrating and saving historic places year-round. Thousands of people participate annually in Preservation Month events and activities.

Historic Preservation Division Featured Programs

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