Everything past is always present in New Mexico, especially the stories embedded in its land and architecture. People here are as passionate about the state’s hard-working historical buildings as they are about a modest 150-year-old neighborhood adobe. At Los Luceros, New Mexico’s newest historic site, “now” and “then” mingle on 140+ bucolic acres stretching along the Rio Grande's banks about 20 minutes north of Española, on Highway 68. While only open to the public since 2019, the history of this culturally significant (and possibly haunted) place dates back to at least the 1400s.

Two of Los Luceros’s most knowledgeable staffers, Site Manager Carly Stewart and Instructional Coordinator Rebecca Ward share its fascinating history and preview its contemporary contributions. 

The stories unfold across the site’s fertile, farmed fields, its replica fruit orchard, paddocks full of livestock, and numerous historic buildings: the 18th-century capilla (or chapel), a Victorian cottage, the river house built (but never used) to accommodate the Dalai Lama, a small art gallery — and the highlight, its grand hacienda. 

Learn more about this fascinating historical site and plan your visit at Los Luceros. Dawn-til-dusk days are the first Sunday of every month.

Visit https://newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours and more.

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Encounter Culture, a production of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, is produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios.

Hosted by Charlotte Jusinski, Editor at El Palacio Magazine

Technical Director: Edwin R. Ruiz

Recording Engineer: Kabby at Kabby Sound Studios in Santa Fe

Executive Producer: Daniel Zillmann

Show Notes: Lisa Widder

Associate Editor: Helen King

Theme Music: D’Santi Nava

Instagram: @newmexicanculture

For more, visit podcast.nmculture.org.

Visit https://newmexicoculture.org for info about our museums, historic sites, virtual tours and more.

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