The Albuquerque Conservation Association

“The concepts of naming and place identity are inextricably linked.”

Robert Julyan’s1996 edition by UNM Press is the copy I have. It was my sister’s and it’s pretty tattered and dog-eared. Julyan dedicated the first edition to his daughter and signed this copy for my sister at a bookstore somewhere in Albuquerque on February 25th, 1996.

“For Lisa, Best wishes exploring the names and places of New Mexico. Bob Julyan.”

She certainly fulfilled this wish as an avid traveler around the state. Along with good maps, this book accompanied us on all of our day and car camping trips. Those who know, just know. This book is an invaluable tool for exploring and studying New Mexico.

Julyan says that in his collection one can hear “voices of thousands of individuals – most anonymous  and otherwise forgotten – speaking many languages, telling about their lives, their families, their relation to the land, their faith, their tragedy and humor, the incidents great and small they experienced and through naming remembered.” 

Naming places reflects who we are. As the author notes, the book is an autobiography of New Mexico.

The autobiography is still being written. “(A)s centuries have passed, as people, languages, and cultures have intermingled, New Mexico’s place-name autobiography has expanded and undergone continuous change.”

So we are excited to hear from TACA board member, Jerry Widdison, that a new edition is in the works! He is acknowledged in the first book as a “meticulous editor, tireless researcher, observant traveler, and generous friend.”

We look forward to a crisp new edition for Robert Julyan and Jerry Widdison to sign! 

Renowned Arabian horse breeder and author, Carl Raswan, moved to New Mexico in about 1939 and developed a 90 acre site just south of San Antonito into a horse ranch. He is featured in the East Mountain Historical Society publication, Timelines of the East Mountains. I’ve written a little more about him here. The photo above is from the dust jacket on the 1961 edition of his 1942 book for young adults, Drinkers of the Wind.

KRQE has a recent story (December 21, 2022) by Scott Brown that features an interview with TACA President Ann Carson and photos of TACA’s Preservation Station. The neighborhoods of Princess Jeanne and the North Valley are also described with interviews and illustrations. It provides a good overview of just a few of Albuquerque’s diverse neighborhoods.

At the Albuquerque Museum through February 12th.

The exhibition reassembles the paintings that were in Cole’s studio when he died in 1848 and explores the significance of Cole’s late work for art in America. Thomas Cole was the founder of the Hudson River School. This group of painters established an iconic style of American landscape painting.

Items from the English-American painter’s studio at Albuquerque Museum.

Ann at the New Mexico History Museum. Bench design was based on one at her home.