Settled at the foothills of
the largest peaks in New Mexico, the legendary Taos Pueblo is a massive complex
inhabited by over 1,000 tribal members who live in structures dating from many
hundreds of years ago to the present. Not all members live in the stacked
Pueblo - many live away from the main structures on the tribal lands. This
expansion beyond the traditional boundaries of inhabited space has made the
restoration of the ancient structures particularly important, as buildings
respond to lack of use by decomposing back to the earth from which they came.
Pueblo leaders decided to try something different. Instead of sending the energy
outwards – distributing money and training opportunities off the
reservation - the Pueblo government came up with a comprehensive
preservation strategy that was forward-reaching and would also respond
to the immediate needs of the Taos Pueblo people. With their plan, they
could not only save the historic structures, but also create jobs,
institute permanent tribal preservation standards, build a sustainable
long-term program to train tribal members in historic preservation, as
well as educate the public about the preservation of their evolving
culture.
A restoration plan was
developed and funding sought and attained through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. At their groundbreaking
ceremony in April 2010, Taos Pueblo’s Tribal Preservation Program moved from
vision to reality, as the first phase of a multi-year preservation project
began to take shape, with the construction of a preservation trades training
facility at the Pueblo’s Red Willow Center and the selection of an on-site demonstration
facility just next to the Church of San Jerome. With these spaces as home base,
a group of 8 tribal members will be the first to apprentice in the restoration of
the youngest 500 year old sections of the Pueblo, training in techniques to
save the buildings from deterioration… which they can pass on to future
generations.
With demonstration facilities
just off the main path of visitor access, the public can witness the process of
restoration unfold and enjoy an unprecedented opportunity to learn about tribal
culture as well as preservation techniques.
Old photos of Taos Pueblo illustrate the ways that the Pueblo has been modified to respond to its environment over time. Luckily, thanks to a powerful infusion of determination and diligence, this living monument to the history and culture of the Taos Pueblo people is going to be around for many more generations.
Old photos of Taos Pueblo illustrate the ways that the Pueblo has been modified to respond to its environment over time. Luckily, thanks to a powerful infusion of determination and diligence, this living monument to the history and culture of the Taos Pueblo people is going to be around for many more generations.
Taos Pueblo has been
recognized by UNESCO as one of America’s 20 World Heritage Sites and is also a
Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Taos Pueblo is
open Monday - Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm
and Sunday 8:30am-4:00pm, except during ceremonial periods. Contact the Taos
Pueblo Tourism Department at tourism@taospueblo.com
or 575-758-1028 to confirm that the Pueblo will be open when you want
to visit.
