The Wonders on Wheels Museum on the Move, or WoW, is in southern New Mexico this week. KC Counts spoke with Dr. Jennifer Hasty, museum supervisor, about what's inside. Below, find a portion of their conversation transcribed and more details about the museum's stops this week.
KC Counts:
Dr. Hasty, thanks for joining us. Tell us a little bit about what's in this exhibit.
Dr. Jennifer Hasty:
Well, this year, we partnered with the New Mexico Historic Sites Division to develop a really unique exhibit that highlights each of our New Mexico historic sites. We have put them in chronological order to tell the story of New Mexico history by highlighting the events and the people featured at each of those historic sites. So, the curriculum that we've developed is focused on middle school and high school students to help them. We really connected explicitly with curriculum goals for teaching New Mexico history. But we found in touring in public events and events with a lot of seniors, that people of all ages are really eager and interested in refreshing their understanding of New Mexico history, particularly the more controversial events and events about which we have new interpretations. So, we're happy to be a part of that.
KC Counts:
Can you say a little bit more about what it means to have a different interpretation, a new interpretation of a historical event? Maybe an example?
Dr. Jennifer Hasty:
Yes, I can give you an example. So, one of our historic sites is the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner, which tells the story, you know, I think in previous generations, this story has been told of manifest destiny, of the idea that the American government was really destined to take over the continent from coast to coast and that the, you know, that moving indigenous peoples around was just kind of a necessary evil that had to happen. Well, we don't tell the story that way, neither does Bosque Redondo. We visited Bosque Redondo, a world-class museum. Highly, highly recommend, because it tells the story through the eyes of the people who experienced it. And so, by opening up our view, not just like, you know, what Americans felt they needed to do during a particular time period, but to the people who lived through that experience. So in particular, the Dine and the Nde peoples who were who were rounded up and made to go on a long march to a very desolate and difficult place. And they spent a number of years of extreme hardship in that place. So we tell this, we tell it like it is. That's what happened. And we feel it's our responsibility to model the kinds of conversations about difficult cultural and historical issues that we all need to have right now, no matter what your background or perspective is, we need to be able to discuss history from all of those perspectives in an inclusive way.
What: Visitors in and around Reserve, Lordsburg, and Mesilla, New Mexico, can see the exhibit "Eight Sites, One History,” sponsored by New Mexico Historic Sites, at local county fairs and family-friendly events. The exhibit highlights the distinctive stories revealed at each of the state’s eight sites, from Indigenous lifeways to Spanish settlement to US statehood and beyond. Visitors of all ages can also participate in hands-on learning activities. These events are free and open to the public.
When & Where:
Thurs., Aug. 21, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Catron County Fair, 73 The Lane Rd., Reserve
Fri., Aug. 22, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Hidalgo County Fair, 305 Pyramid St., Lordsburg
Sat., Aug. 23, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Taylor-Mesilla Family Day Fiesta, Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla
Why: Wonders on Wheels serves all 33 counties in New Mexico annually, bringing arts, culture, history, and science exhibits and curriculum-based programming to fairs, festivals, public libraries, and schools. The goal is to make learning fun and accessible to everyone throughout the state.
