El
Rancho de las Golondrinas (The Ranch of the
Swallows) was a paraje on El Camino
Real from Mexico City through Chihuahua to
Old Santa Fe. Acquired by Miguel Vega y Coca
about 1710, it is one of the most historic
ranches in the southwest. The daughters of Vega
y Coca inter-married with the Baca family and
the property subsequently passed to their
descendants.
In the
diaries and reports of yesteryear, "el
paraje de las Golondrinas" is often
mentioned. It became the
last encampment before reaching Santa Fe, the
end of the long journey on horseback or by carretas
from
far away Mexico City. Juan Bautista de Anza,
Governor of New Mexico in 1778, searching for a
direct route
to Arizpe, Sonora, Mexico, spent the night here
with a one hundred fifty-one man expedition.
El
Rancho de las Golondrinas grew out of the vision
of the Curtin-Paloheimo family, who acquired the
property in the early 1930s. Existing historic
buildings were restored, authentic structures
erected on old foundations and related buildings
brought in from other sites. Now, an 18th
century placita house complete with
defensive tower, a 19th century home and all of
its outbuildings, a molasses mill, a threshing
ground, several primitive water mills, a
blacksmith shop, a wheelwright shop, a winery
and vineyards depict many of the essential
elements of Spanish Colonial culture. The Sierra
Village portrays life as it was lived in the
mountainous regions of New Mexico. A morada,
descansos, a Campo Santo and an Oratorio
testify to the deep religious faith that
sustained the early settlers.
Through
living history, El Rancho de las Golondrinas
hopes to foster understanding of, respect for
and pride in the language, culture and history
of Spanish Colonial New Mexico. Particular
emphasis is placed on its use as an educational
facility. It welcomes teachers and students for
tours, workshops, seminars and other learning
experiences. The museum is now owned and
operated by the El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Charitable Trust, a non-profit entity. It is a
member of the Association
for Living Historical Farms and Agricultural
Museums (ALHFAM).
