Take a Walk Through History
at
"The Ranch of the Swallows"
El Rancho de las Golondrinas invites you to step into the past and experience a day with the scenes, sounds, scents and people dressed as we all would be in the 1700’s and 1800's
At "The Ranch of the Swallows."
This historic rancho, now a living history museum, dates from the early 1700s and was an important paraje or stopping place along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe.
Experience the life of another time in a location unlike any other in America!
El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a living history
museum located on 200 acres in a rural farming valley just south of Santa Fe,
New Mexico. The museum, dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th
and 19th century New Mexico, opened in 1972. Original colonial buildings on the
site date from the early 1700s. In addition, historic buildings from other parts
of northern New Mexico have been reconstructed at Las Golondrinas.
Villagers clothed in the styles of the times show
how life was lived on the frontier in early New Mexico. Special festivals and weekend
events offer
visitors an in-depth look into the celebrations, music, dance and many other
aspects of life in the Spanish, Mexican and Territorial periods of the
Southwest.
Immerse yourself and your guests in the rich history and hospitality that El
Rancho de las Golondrinas has offered for over 300 years along the
legendary El Camino Real dating back to 1710.
Follow us as we create an unforgettable experience and life-long memories for your special event. El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a spectacular venue with lots of options available for films, rehearsal dinners, weddings and receptions, parties, and other private or corporate occasions.
With a modern catering kitchen, dining pavilion, three plazas, Education center,
and ample parking, El Rancho de las Golondrinas offers an exceptional blend of
modern facilities and historic buildings to accommodate your celebration.
The museum is also available for film and
photo shoots. Scenes
from such well-known films and TV productions as Wyatt
Earp, Into the West, The Missing, Comanche Moon, Young Guns, All the Pretty
Horses, Fools Rush In and MacGruber, as well as many others filmed at Las
Golondrinas.
El Rancho de las Golondrinas is
Listed as one of the top 100 BEST
wedding destinations in the United States!
"a destination unlike any other"
Contact: 505.670.0359 or
email: siterentals@cnsp.com for
more info.
Guided tours are available April through October. All groups must have museum
guides. Contact the Tour Office for
more information and to reserve your guide. (505)
473-4169. Special rates for school groups.
"Josefina™ Tours"
Introduce your American Girl to Maria Josefina
Montoya, an Hispanic girl
of heart and hope growing up in 1824 on her family's ranch in New Mexico similar
to Las Golondrinas. Call (505) 473-4169 to arrange a special Josefina tour of
the museum.
"Hollywood on the Ranch"
Enjoy the history
of movie-making at
Las Golondrinas. Walk in the footsteps of stars like Kevin Costner, Liam Neeson,
Cate Blanchet, Gene Hackman, Tommy Lee Jones, Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and
others and learn about the more than thirty motion pictures made here. Includes
a special tour of the house built by 20th Century Fox for the first western
movie prequel, "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days."
"Balloon Fiesta Tours"
Enjoy the morning hot air balloons in Albuquerque
and come to see the fall foliage and take a tour of historic Las Golondrinas in
the afternoon! In 2011 tours begin promptly at 1pm on October 5th through
October 9th. Tour fee is $5 for all ages.
Please help us with your Exact change!
School Groups: For all grade levels
Teachers may book individual guided tours of the
museum for grades K through 12. Tours generally can be scheduled for weekdays in
April, May, October and Wednesday through Sunday during June through September.
For more information please contact our Education Office at 505-473-4169.
For school groups the museum waives admission charges for individual
students,
teachers or chaperones; all school tours must be led by our museum guides. The
cost per guide is $45. If your group is larger than twenty-five participants it
will require two guides at a total cost of $90, three guides $135, etc. A visit
to our museum shop can also be arranged after a tour.
For additional details and to book a tour, please
call 505-473-4169. School
tours are by reservation only.
Teachers! Bring your elementary students to
Spanish Colonial Days For
four days each in May and October the ranch is alive with costumed volunteers
ready to share and interpret the history of Las Golondrinas and early New Mexico
for school children. To better understand our history elementary school students
can take part in the same daily chores as the children of colonial and
territorial settlers. Candle-making, corn grinding, rope-making, wool carding
and spinning are among the several hands-on activities very popular with our
young visitors.
Each year we welcome between 10,000 and 12,000 students, teachers and chaperones to Las Golondrinas for these eight days. Spanish Colonial Days are open to grades K through 6 only. Admission prices are $1.50 for students and $3.50 for chaperones. There is no charge for teachers. For additional details and to reserve class space for Spanish Colonial Days please call 505-473-4169.
Teachers Requiring Further Assistance send email or phone contact our Director of Education
Michael King
E-Mail: mking@golondrinas.org
Phone:
(505) 471-2261
Tour the Ranch to see:
Our Food Service and Picnic Area. Experience traditional foods of their era
The Education Center
Exhibit Hall and Center
Museum and Museum shop
Entertainment Platform: Traditional Musicians and Dancers
Outdoor well and Baking Ovens in the La Placita Courtyard
Founders home rooms and Chapel
See the defensive tower, how it was built and why
See the kitchen and traditional food preparation
See the Weaving work room where they made wool blankets, clothing and horsehair rope!
See an old time loom, and old fashioned winch
Discover more about butchering and soap making
Test Question: What did they use for “shampoo”?
Sheep, goats, burros, birds,
Admire old style hand made furniture
Storage building, workshops, root cellar
Pop Quiz Question: “Explain the best way to store fruit and vegetables through the winter?”
See where the Tinsmith worked and see all the things he could make for life on the ranch
You’ve heard the phrase “threshing floor?” Now see how grain was threshed and processed.
Learn about old fashioned leather tanning and leather working.
See the places where they did Wheel making, wood working, blacksmithing, wood dying,
Peer into the Old School Room
See the Winery and local fields and orchards
You'll wander past Several houses, mills, the old pond still alive with frogs and dragon flies
Talk about the Ancient Herbalist work for healing, cooking, even clothes dye!
This is an experience you and your young-ones will never forget. It's fun and safe for kids, a
beautiful day, and it stimulates their imagination.
After a visit with family or a class, take them back to school and ask them to write as much as they remember and then turn it into a story outline or a short report. Remember too, all the staff is dressed in the Olde Thyme clothing!
For more information the official
El Rancho de las Golondrinas website HERE http://golondrinas.org/index.html
Say you read about us in...
In Love with Santa Fe
Traveler's & Visitors On-Line Magazine