Open air museums in New Mexico

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a historic rancho and now a living history museum, is strategically located on what was once the Camino Real, the Royal Road that extended from Mexico City to Santa Fe. The ranch provided goods for trade and was a place where the caravans that plied the road would stop on their journey coming from or going to Santa Fe. It was a paraje, an official rest stop for travelers, and was even mentioned by the great colonial military leader and governor, Don Juan Bautista de Anza, when he stopped here with his expeditionary force in 1780.

Following the death of Gretchen Sammis, the great-granddaughter of Manly and Theresa Chase, ownership of the ranch was transferred to the Chase Ranch Foundation. Gretchen had established this foundation with the aim of preserving the 11,000-acre ranch and the heritage of her family. This change in ownership ensures the continued preservation of the ranch's historical and cultural significance.

Interesting museum focusing not only on Aztec culture and history, but also taking into account early colonization and pioneering.