Silver City, NM – The Western New Mexico University Museum reopened for a limited preview on Friday, July 20. 2018, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Home of the world’s largest collection of Mimbres artifacts, the museum has been temporarily closed for almost two years while its official home, historic Fleming Hall, undergoes a $3.2 million transformation.
The limited preview was hosted in conjunction with the Silver City CLAY Festival (July 16 – 21), as a way of sharing the WNMU museum’s extensive pottery collection with modern day ceramicists.
“The breathtaking renovation of Fleming Hall was completed with attention to historic preservation while ushering in the subtle nuances of modern technology,” WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard said. “This design allows for the museum’s collection to be properly maintained without sacrificing the splendors of the building’s rich history and unmatched architectural style.”
The overhauled Fleming Hall was open for public exploration, and for the limited preview, a temporary exhibit was curated.
WNMU Museum Director Dr. Cynthia Bettison selected a handful of pieces, including examples from every Mimbres style period and the corn beer exhibit excavated from the NAN Ranch, for display during the limited preview. Pieces representing the university’s history were showcased on the main floor, and the historic science classroom downstairs was open for visitors to wander through, too. Dr. Bettison also displayed some university staff favorites from the collection in a case behind the museum’s new welcome desk.
“I’m excited for the public to see the stunning transformation of Fleming Hall, the home of the University Museum. I thank New Mexicans for supporting the 2016 Higher Education GO Bond that funded this project. The results are an open, light, secure and climate-controlled environment that highlights our 101-year-old National Register of Historic Places building and enhances the visitor experience,” Dr. Bettison said.
Displays throughout Fleming Hall illustrated the building’s history and highlight the most recent and extensive renovation.
The university served light appetizers at the limited preview, and the CLAY Festival brought guests such as contemporary potter Julia Galloway.
Located on campus at 1000 W. College Ave. in Silver City, the WNMU museum is slated to reopen in Summer 2019 when its new permanent exhibits have been installed.
For 125 years, Western New Mexico University has served the people in its region as a comprehensive, rural, public body. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution and the state’s only public Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences university, WNMU is committed to developing cross-cultural opportunities that encourage people to explore new experiences. WNMU’s student body represents every segment of southwest New Mexico’s diverse population.