Deming , New Mexico

We are staying in Deming which is about a 2 hours drive west from Las Cruces.  Deming was founded in 1881 however, its history goes back nearly a millennium, to the flourishing era of the Mimbres civilization.  They lived in villages along the Mimbres River.  They lived, farmed and produced their world famous pottery, painted with distinctive birds and animal figures.  They vanishes iin the 13 th centuary, following the arrival of the Spanish settlers.    After the Americans came to the Southwest around the 1800's , Deming was known as a notorious Wild West.   Like many town across the US Deming became a stagecoach stop. There was and still is a rail line which continues to today.    Today it has a mixed population mix including Whites, Afro Americans, Hispanics  and American Indian. 

Example of Mimbres Pottery:

We visited the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum which was completed after the Pancho Villa Raid ( March 9, 1916) at Colombus, the Armory later served both as a community socila centre  and as a USA activity centre.  It was purchased by the Luna Historical Society in1977nfor use as a museum when the new armory was completed.    It has a huge number of exhibits.

Such as  the Doll Room which houses fine dolls carved by pioneers, elegant German made dolls, storybook dolls and dolls from other lands.

There is Bessie May Room which is elegantly set for a formal occassion.

There is the history of the original inhabitants.

There is a fantastc music display.  This magnificant violin is circa 1850, Antonius Stradivarius, made in Germany.

 Another ancient mandoline.

The Cowboy exhibit which features a huge chuckwagon with many other items of this time.

A little further on there is the horse and carriage area.  Here is a Crane, Breed and Company Hearse 1893 - 1909.  It was a donation from an Estate.  It is in mint condition.  

As we contiued on we wandered through anothe bygone era.  

An 1850 Fire car.

A quilting and lace room.

A Doctor's clinic.

 A typing pool of the past.

 Some interesting tapestries.

The Military displays covery every war from the Wild West days to the current time.

It is an amazing museum and well worth a visit.

Cheers,

Ross and Beverley