New Mexico's Palace of the Governors: History of an American Treasure [Paperback]

Emily Abbink (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0890135002 | ISBN-13: 978-0890135006 | Publication Date: August 2007

One of America's oldest public buildings of European origin, the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe celebrates its quatrocentennial in photographs, drawings, lithographs, and maps: the story of New Spain and four centuries of change. This lively pictorial drama for all ages sets the Palace as the historical stage upon which the major events of four hundred years are played, from the arrival of the first conquistadors and the founding of New Spain's capital to the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, the Mexican War, the opening of the Santa Fe Trail that ushered in the Anglo period, the Civil War and the coming of the railroad, Hewett and the founding of the Museum of New Mexico, and the archaeology of the twentieth century. Until 1909 a governor's residence, the Palace remains a royal house for all who visit. A National Historic Landmark and international tourist destination, the Palace of the Governors is a fine example of Spanish Colonial architecture, and much detail of the building's Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial periods is in evidence today. Restoration and archaeology together have revealed the worth of this significant historic artefact that welcomes visitors into period rooms re-created with elements of the Palace's illustrious past, complete with period furnishings and museum-quality collections.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...until Emily Abbink came along, no one had written a book for the general public devoted to the Palace..." -- Albuquerque Journal, August 19, 2007

"Many photographs and illustrations grace the pages, giving a visual sense of the eras the Palacio witnessed." -- La Herencia, Winter 2007

Product Details

• Paperback: 123 pages
• Publisher: Museum of New Mexico Press (August 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890135002
• ISBN-13: 978-0890135006
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars New Mexico's Palace of the Governors, History of an American Treasure, September 12, 2011

By 

Cindy Bellinger (Pecos, New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Mexico's Palace of the Governors: History of an American Treasure (Paperback)

This is a good companion to the above book. It tells the story of New Mexico's cities, government and its people. The book is organized into four centuries from the conquistadors, the Mexican and Civil Wars, the coming of the railroad and the founding of the capital city. It also traces the building of the palace.

When expedition leader, Pedro de Peralta reached Santa Fe in 1609 to become the new territorial governor, he began building the palace. Through the centuries the building has been a seat of government, an army headquarters and a residence. Today, the Palace of the Governors is a national historic landmark, still standing across from the plaza in Santa Fe. It serves as a historic museum and hosts traveling shows of interest. Reproductions of old maps, drawings, and photos of archaeological digs are sprinkled throughout the book. Historic documentation and timelines help put New Mexico's past into perspective.