Escapees July-August 2023

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A Charming Southwest Destination Las Cruces, New Mexico Visit Las Cruces, 336 S. Main St., Las Cruces, NM 88001, 575-541-2444, cvb@lascrucescvb.org

Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum After purchasing earrings, a napkin holder, a purse with hand-decorating, a miniature painting, a wind chime, a dream catcher and a bracelet, I head for the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum on the outskirts of town. The sprawling museum celebrates rural New Mexico, its heritage, cattle, sheep and antique machinery. First, I walk through the Heritage Gallery, past a large stagecoach, and into a beautifully designed space. A New Mexico Colonial Home is recreated and is the centerpiece of the Spanish Colonial section of the gallery. New Mexico’s Spanish Colonial period was from 1598, when the Spanish fi rst settled in the region, until 1821. The home is made of adobe plaster and wood. It includes two rooms: a living room and a courtyard. Another exhibit, Wheels & Gears, features vehicles and equipment, including a 1936 half-ton International Harvester pickup truck, a 1924 Model T Roadster, a delivery wagon from 1895, and a 1900 buckboard wagon used on a ranch near Grants, New Mexico, to namea few. There are other exhibits, including beautiful art and several historic photographs. Artisans are also often in the museum lobby, crafting beautiful items. This day,

It’s Saturday morning and I am admiring the beautiful vegetables and fruits at the Farmers & Crafts Market in Las Cruces. From one booth to the next, for seven city blocks, you can fi nd locally grown produce alongside stunning arts and crafts. T he markets are set up along Main Street down town. All of the artwork sold here is hand-made and local. Everything from the jewelers and metalwork to paintings and fi ber art is from Doña Ana County artisans. Musicians sing and expertly play their instruments on several street corners. It is a festive atmosphere. It all began in 1971 when a few local farmers gath ered to sell their produce. Soon, homemade bread was added, and local crafters and artists began joining the farmers at the market, too. When the Market celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011, it was named “Number One Large Farmers Market in the Nation” in America’s Farmland Trust’s 2011 prestigious nationwide poll. I can see why! Every Saturday and, on a smaller scale, Wednesday, The Market is open all year round; rain or shine, from 8:30 to 1:30 on both days.

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July/August 2023 ESCAPEES Magazine