Tularosa Basin Museum of History

08/12/2026

A Night at the Museum was one for the books!

What an incredible night!

We are still taking in just how amazing this year’s NATM event was. More than 250 people came through the Tularosa Basin Historical Society Museum to celebrate with us, explore the museum, and support the preservation of our local history.

For comparison, last year’s event brought in around 50 attendees. Seeing that number grow to more than 250 this year was absolutely incredible, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support from our community.

The silent auction was also a huge success, raising an incredible amount of money for the museum. Every donation, bid, and purchase helps us continue caring for our collections, maintaining exhibits, creating programs, and preserving the stories of the Tularosa Basin for future generations.

A turnout like this means so much to a small local museum. It shows just how much people care about our history and want to see it preserved and shared.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make the evening possible:

• Everyone who donated items to the silent auction
• Our volunteers and everyone who helped prepare for the event
• The local businesses and organizations who supported us
• Everyone who helped spread the word
• Most importantly, the 250+ people who came out and supported the museum

You made this year's Night at the Museum one to remember.

We are incredibly thankful for every person who walked through our doors, placed a bid, shared a story, explored an exhibit, or simply spent the evening with us.

From about 50 attendees last year to more than 250 this year, we're pretty sure it's safe to say the Tularosa Basin showed up.

Thank you for supporting your local museum and helping us keep our history alive!

08/02/2026

07/31/2026

🎉 Tomorrow's the Night! 🎉

Join the Tularosa Basin Historical Society Museum tomorrow, Friday, July 31, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM for our annual Night at the Museum!

Spend an evening exploring local history after hours, meeting costumed historical interpreters, discovering fascinating exhibits, and enjoying a fun night with family and friends. Don't forget to browse our Silent Auction, where you'll find unique items while supporting the museum's mission to preserve and share the rich history of the Tularosa Basin.

Whether you've visited before or it's your first time through our doors, there's something new to discover.

📅 Friday, July 31
🕕 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
📍 Tularosa Basin Historical Society Museum
🎟️ Admission is FREE!

Don't know what to expect? Check our blog!
https://www.tbhsmuseum.org/post/what-to-expect-at-night-at-the-museum

Bring your friends, bring your family, and come experience history after dark. We can't wait to see you!

When the doors open after dark, history takes on a new life. Experience the Tularosa Basin Historical Society Museum like never before with costumed historians, engaging stories, exhibits, and an evening celebrating the community’s past.

07/18/2026

Today’s the day! 🎉

Join us from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Lodge Pavilion in Cloudcroft for a fun-filled day celebrating the rich history of Southern New Mexico.

Explore 20+ museums and heritage organizations, enjoy live demonstrations, family-friendly activities, local history exhibits, and take a tour of the historic railroad trestle.

📅 Saturday, July 18
🕙 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📍 The Lodge Pavilion, Cloudcroft, NM
🎟️ FREE and open to the public!

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a great way to spend the day in the mountains, there’s something for everyone. We hope to see you there!

07/17/2026

The Tularosa Basin Museum of History website has a fresh new look!

We've been hard at work updating our website to make it easier than ever to explore local history, learn about our exhibits, discover upcoming events, and find ways to get involved. Whether you're planning your first visit or have been part of our museum family for years, we invite you to take a look and see what's new.

As you explore the site, don't forget to mark your calendar for one of our favorite evenings of the year:

Night at the Museum
📅 Friday, July 31, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
📍 Tularosa Basin Museum of History

Step back in time as the museum comes alive with costumed historians, period performers, interactive historical experiences, and galleries open after hours. You'll also have the chance to browse our Silent Auction while enjoying a fun evening celebrating the rich history of the Tularosa Basin.

Admission is **FREE**, and everyone is welcome!

Visit our newly updated website to learn more about the museum and upcoming events:

🌐 https://www.tbhsmuseum.org

We can't wait to welcome you!

DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF LOCAL HISTORY THROUGH EXHIBITS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES HIGHLIGHTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE TULAROSA BASIN AREA

05/20/2026

The New Mexico state flag is one of the most recognizable state flags in the country, but many people may not know the history and symbolism behind it. This flag on display in our museum has its own unique story.

During the Gulf War in 1991, the donor took this flag overseas and flew it in a maintenance hangar while deployed to Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia from September to December of that year. Upon returning home, the flag was also flown from the pilot hatch of a 747 jet as it taxied on the runway at Holloman Air Force Base.

The flag itself reflects New Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Its colors, red and yellow, traced back to the historic Spanish Cross of Burgundy flag used during Spain’s presence in the New World. At the center is the Zia sun symbol, which originated with the Zia Pueblo and holds deep spiritual meaning.

The Zia symbol represents the sacred number four: the four directions, four seasons, four times of day, and four stages of life. The symbol was incorporated into the New Mexico state flag in 1925 and has since become an enduring representation of unity, balance, and friendship among cultures.

Artifacts like this help preserve the stories that connect New Mexico history, military service, and local community heritage. We invite you to stop by the museum to see this flag in person and explore more of the stories preserved in our collections

05/13/2026

🏺 Nestled in the Tularosa Basin is the historic tradition of La Luz Pottery, a craft that reflects the artistry, skill, and heritage of southern New Mexico.

Today, that legacy is still alive and accessible through the Tularosa Basin Museum of History, where visitors can explore the history of local pottery and experience it firsthand.

We are proud to offer guided tours of the La Luz Pottery site, along with hands-on pottery classes that give guests the opportunity to connect directly with this important part of our region’s cultural history. Whether you’re learning about the kiln-fired traditions of the past or trying your hand at shaping clay yourself, it’s a chance to experience history in a truly tangible way.

La Luz Pottery is more than an exhibit; it’s a living tradition that continues to inspire creativity and preserve the story of our community.

📍 Interested in visiting or taking a class? Stop by the museum or contact us for tour and class availability.

💭 Have you ever visited La Luz Pottery or taken a pottery class there? We’d love to hear about your experience!

04/29/2026

🍻 A historic corner with stories to tell.

Pictured here is the Plaza Bar, circa 1950, located at the corner of White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street in Alamogordo. In its day, it was more than simply a business; it was a familiar gathering place where neighbors met, conversations were shared, friendships were formed, and the rhythms of everyday community life unfolded.

Places like the Plaza Bar are an important part of local history. While major events often fill history books, the true spirit of a town can often be found in the places where people spent their time, celebrated milestones, relaxed after work, and connected with one another. Buildings like this hold the memories of countless ordinary moments that together helped shape the story of Alamogordo.

As the years passed, the city continued to grow and change, but this historic structure remained an important part of the landscape. Today, the building has been beautifully restored and given new life as the home of the Tularosa Basin Museum of History.

Now, where laughter and conversation once filled the rooms, the stories of the entire Tularosa Basin are preserved and shared through exhibits, photographs, artifacts, and community memories. It is a fitting continuation of the building’s legacy as a place where people gather and history is kept alive.

If you haven’t visited yet, we invite you to step inside, explore the past, and discover the many stories connected to our region.

💭 Do you remember the Plaza Bar, or have family stories tied to this corner of town? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

04/22/2026

✈️ What a weekend to remember.

The 2026 Legacy of Liberty Air Show at Holloman Air Force Base brought the sky to life with unforgettable performances, powerful aircraft, and a shared love for aviation.

From the roar of jet engines to the precision of every maneuver, moments like these don’t just entertain, they spark curiosity. What makes these aircraft fly the way they do? How has aviation evolved to reach this level of performance? And what stories exist behind the pilots, engineers, and missions that make it all possible?

That’s where we come in.

Here at the museum, we dive deeper into the history behind what you saw in the sky this weekend. From early flight to modern military aviation, our exhibits connect those high-speed moments to the innovation and people that made them possible.

If the air show left you wanting to learn more, we invite you to stop by and explore. There’s always more to discover just beyond the runway.

📸 Were you there? Drop your favorite photos below, we may feature a few in an upcoming post!
👀 And tell us: what was your favorite part of the show?

04/15/2026

Step inside Tularosa Basin Museum of History and take a closer look at the stories that shaped the area. Exhibits, artifacts, and photographs bring the rich history of the basin to life. It’s a meaningful stop that adds depth to your visit.

📸: Tularosa Basin Museum of History