National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) recognizes the “contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements for the United States”. This is a great time to learn more about Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic, or Spanish Origin + identified communities and raise awareness about their challenges and accomplishments, and there’s numerous events to explore across New Mexico! Below you’ll find a few links to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and for local organizations, such as the National Hispanic Cultural Center, that are hosting related events.
The New Mexico History Museum kicks off the heritage month on September 17 and 18 with a celebration of Nina Otero-Warren. Adelina “Nina” Otero-Warren was one of New Mexico’s most prominent suffragists, one of the state’s first female government officials, and strong advocate for education and the preservation of cultural practices in New Mexico Hispanic and Indigenous communities. She and her family were residents of the Otero-Bergere house, now the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Research Center. Otero-Warren is honored on the latest release of the American Women Quarters™ Program, “the first circulating coin program dedicated to honoring women whose achievements, triumphs and legacies reflect the strength, perseverance, and resiliency of our nation”.
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
- National Hispanic Heritage Month, Library of Congress: The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society through a variety of events, resources, and exhibitions.
- National Hispanic Cultural Center: The NHCC, located in Albuquerque, is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts and humanities. The Center presents exhibitions, lectures, book readings, performing arts and educational programing that are meaningful to the local community.
- Hispanic Heritage Month, National Today: Overview, history, and timeline of the heritage month.
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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Public Broadcasting Service: Video content from PBS to learn more about the diversity of Hispanic and Latina/e/o/x experiences and cultures. “In 2020, the U.S. Hispanic population was an estimated 62 million out of the total U.S. population of 331.4 million. We know that just one descriptor can hardly capture the spirit and cultures of so many people who descend from people of a vast geography that includes present-day Southwestern U.S. states, the southern most tip of South America, and nearly every present-day country and island in between.… We hope you see an array of these voices and stories in this collection of programs and documentaries.”
Nina Otero-Warren
- Nina Otero-Warren, National Park Service: Brief biography and links to resources about Nina Otero-Warren.
- Nina Otero-Warren: The Spell of My Country, Homestead National Historic Park: Short video about Nina Otero-Warren’s role as a homesteader and in the Santa Fe community.
- Nina Otero-Warren and the Quest for Women’s Right to Vote, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: Article about Otero-Warren and the passage of the 19th amendment.
Otero-Bergere House
- Otero-Bergere House, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: The building at 135 Grant Avenue has served as officers’ quarters for the Fort Marcy Military Reservation, a family residence for members of the notable Baca, Luna, Otero, and Bergere families, the Harry Bigbee Law Offices, and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Research guide about the house and it’s residents.
The Research Center garden reopened to the public this month after being closed for a period of time due to archeological digs of the grounds related to plans for the new Museum building and for the Art and Leadership Program that was held daily throughout the summer.
The garden features ever-changing flowers and plants that Georgia O’Keeffe painted or planted in her garden at her house in Abiquiu, New Mexico. A garden highlight includes O’Keeffe’s striking cast aluminum sculpture, Abstraction, 1946 (cast 1979/1980).
Open to the public on weekdays, guests are welcome to explore the grounds through complimentary self-guided garden tour guides, which can be found on the patio tables.
The Museum would like to thank the Barbara Goede Family Foundation for the generous support of the garden.
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