Valencia County Historical Society

06/09/2026

We are pleased to share the recording of the lecture by Javier Marin-Lopez, “Juan Bautista Ralliere’s Cánticos espirituales and the Making of a Transnational Soundscape in Nineteenth-Century New Mexico.” This presentation is one of the outcomes of the Underwriting Program awarded by the John Donald Robb Musical Trust at the University of New Mexico in 2025.

Father Juan Bautista Ralliere was the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tome from 1858 to 1913. Today, a memorial plaque marks his gravesite under the floor boards of the church.

This talk was made possible through the collaboration of the Latin American and Iberian Institute, the John Donald Robb Musical Trust, and the University Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections.

The lecture forms part of a broader research project on music in Spanish and Territorial New Mexico and its connections to the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro and the Santa Fe trail, which Marin-Lopez began in 2022. The project has continued to evolve through archival research in New Mexico and the U.S., Spain, and Mexico, exploring the circulation of music, devotional practices, and cultural exchange across the nineteenth-century Southwest. This research would not have been possible without the generous support of many institutions and individuals, including librarians, archivists, informants, colleagues, and friends.

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | Frank Waters Room, Zimmerman LibraryC...

06/09/2026

Renowned local Santero, Alcario Otero will be discussing his incredible craft and present some of the beautiful pieces were acquired for the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts by the Friends of the Los Lunas Library & Museum through generous donations.
📅 When: June 13th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts, 251 Main Street SE, Los Lunas, NM

🎨 Join us in celebrating renowned local Santero, Alcario Otero🎨

We are thrilled to host Mr. Otero as he discusses his incredible craft and presents some of his artwork for our collection. These beautiful pieces were acquired for the Los Lunas Museum by the Friends of the Los Lunas Library & Museum through generous donations.

📅 When: June 13th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts, 251 Main Street SE, Los Lunas, NM

05/29/2026

Civil War Battles Reenactment in Tijeras Saturday, May 30th.

05/12/2026

Valencia County Historical Society Newsletter May 2026 - Episodic Bulletin -

If you have enjoyed what we’ve provided so far and are not already a member of the Society, please consider joining. If you are a current or former member, please consider renewing your membership. You can find information about the organization and how to join or renew on our website, vchsnm.org.

05/11/2026

Professor Richard Marlar the President of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association will be giving a presentation on the Navajo-Churro Sheep and its impact on New Mexico.
Navajo-Churro sheep are descended from the Churra, an ancient Iberian breed. Although secondary to the Merino, the Churra (later corrupted to “Churro” by American frontiersmen) was prized by the Spanish for its remarkable hardiness, adaptability and fecundity. The Churra was the very first breed of domesticated sheep in the New World. Its importation to New Spain by the Spanish dates back to the 16th century where it was used to feed and clothe the armies of the conquistadors and Spanish settlers.
By the 17th century the Churro had become the mainstay of Spanish ranches and villages along the upper Rio Grande Valley. Native Indians acquired flocks of Churro for food and fiber through raids and trading. Within a century, herding and weaving had become a major economic asset for the Navajo. It was from Churro wool that the early Rio Grande, Pueblo, and Navajo textiles were woven — a fleece admired by collectors for its luster, silky hand, variety of natural colors and durability.
Join us at the Los Lunas Museum of Heirtage & Arts to learn more about the Navajo-Churro on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 2:00pm.

04/21/2026

KEEPING THE FAITH

A new book, Albuquerque’s Roman Catholic Heritage, by award-winning author John Taylor, has just been published by the Valencia County Historical Society.
Former State Historian Robert J. Torrez wrote,

Albuquerque’s Roman Catholic Heritage is much more than the title implies. This wonderfully illustrated and easy to read volume goes beyond the history of Roman Catholic heritage in the historic Villa de Alburquerque. The author opens with the stories behind the original San Felipe Neri Church in today’s “old town” and skillfully shows the development of the numerous parishes that developed as the city expanded and incorporated the myriad communities and local chapels that dotted the middle Rio Grande Valley, including histories of churches and parishes located north and south of greater Albuquerque, as well as those along the eastern slope of the Sandia mountains. These stories are enhanced by dozens of seldom or never-before published photographs as well as many contemporary images not only of churches, but of individuals that contributed to the development and growth of the Roman Catholic heritage in the greater Albuquerque region.

The book describes over 100 parishes, missions, and other affiliated institutions. Its 183 pages are richly illustrated with 300 color images and over 100 historical black and white images. The document is also thoroughly indexed for ease of study.
Albuquerque's Roman Catholic Heritage is available on Amazon or at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts for $30. For additional information or questions, please contact [email protected] or Louis Huning at [email protected].