A Santa Fe History, by Dedie Snow A special program for the Downtown Walking Tours

Want to learn more about downtown Santa Fe history? Hear from an expert who happens to have dug up a good chunk of it. Noted archaeologist Cordelia (Dedie) Thomas Snow speaks at 9:30 am on Tuesday, March 4, in the auditorium. She’ll show historical images of old Santa Fe and reveal stories of its past. Come to the Meem Community Room following for coffee and snacks to learn how you can become one of the museum’s Downtown Walking Tour guides, spread knowledge of Santa Fe, and raise needed money for the museum. The event is free; no reservations are required.

The Historical Downtown Walking Tours led by museum-trained guides have grown into a popular pastime among locals and tourists alike. This year’s tours will run from April 14 through Oct. 11. To boost the ranks of volunteer guides, the New Mexico History Museum and Los Compadres del Palacio, a support group of the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, are inaugurating a special recruitment and training opportunity.

Peter Sinclaire, a longtime tour guide and New Mexico history instructor at Santa Fe Community College, will lead the tour-guide training with combinations of classroom sessions and boots-on-the-sidewalk work: 3–5 pm, March 13 and 20. (A makeup session will be offered 1–5 pm, March 29); and 10 am to noon, March 29.

New guides will pair up with veterans before launching their own tours. Guides are asked to provide at least six tours—or as many more as their “soles” desire.

The tours are offered Monday–Saturday and begin at 10:15 in front of the Blue Gate just south of the New Mexico History Museum’s main entrance at 113 Lincoln Avenue. Each tour lasts about 2 hours and features a leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities to ask questions about the people and events that have made Santa Fe a world-class tourist destination. Tours cost $10; children 16 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Museum guides do not accept tips.

Last year’s guides gave 153 tours to 1,350 adults, 50 children, and one dog—and raised a record-high total of $14,000 to benefit museum programs.