Preservation happens locally. It's site specific—in your building, your block, your town, your landscape. Preservation is happening across New Mexico: an archaeological site in Silver City, a hotel in Clayton, a castle in Montezuma, a church in Acoma and a school in Albuquerque.

So, what role does the State Historic Preservation Office play? You'll see on this web site that we partner with a large number of agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals. You'll also note that what happens in New Mexico doesn't always occur elsewhere in the country. New Mexico has a State Register, its own system of Tax Credits to help preserve historic architecture and a state-of-the-art, online Archaeological Records Management section, just to name a few of our programs. If you are seeking a Section 106 review, the information you need to comply with current law is right on this website.

This web site is intended to help you access information to assist you with preservation. As much as preservation happens locally it also happens personally. The staff list of contacts is included to provide a personal contact. We are here to facilitate the process of preservation to continue happening at the local, state and national levels.

On May 15, 2009, the Cultural Properties Review Committee will convene a regular meeting for the purpose of general business and public comment on the Mount Taylor Cultural Landscape nomination to the State Register of Cultural Properties. Persons unable to attend the meeting may submit written comments through May 20 by e-mail to: HPDplanning.program@state.nm.us, or by mail to: Historic Preservation Division, 407 Galisteo St., Suite 236, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501.

The nomination, map, and related documents are available here. The official notice of the meeting is available here. Formal action on whether to place the Mt. Taylor TCP on the State Register of Cultural Properties will not take place at this meeting. The CPRC intends to consider the Mt. Taylor TCP nomination as an action item at its June 5, 2009, regular meeting.

Download the Meeting Agenda »

Permian Basin Cultural and Energy Resources
The Southeastern New Mexico Regional Research Design and Resource Management Strategy is available on our web site. Its goal is to help archaeologists and the oil and gas industry better understand how energy resources can be developed while preserving important archaeological sites and excavating others in a manner that will advance our knowledge of prehistory and history in the Permian Basin.

This document is the culmination of a decade of research. HPD and the Bureau of Land Management worked hand in hand to develop an innovative way of helping to provide for the nation’s energy needs while preserving our shared past. It was written especially for archaeologists doing field work to ensure scientific data are gathered in the course of oil and gas exploration on projects large and small.

Start here to see if the property you're thinking about is registered.

The New Deal in New Mexico, click here.