In
1965, a group of Folsom citizens decided to develop a museum to honor
the Folsom Man Discovery, to preserve and display local artifacts, and
to record pioneer history. The New Mexico State Museum was contacted and
help was promised. The old rock hotel was the first choice for the
museum. The Doherty family agreed to deed their old store building for a
museum. If the museum ever ceases to be, the building will revert back
to the Doherty family. Several volunteers rolled up their sleeves and
went to work. By early 1966, the building was ready to open.
On
February 3, 1966, a general meeting was held at the Folsom Fire House to
elect a board of trustees and set up a constitution and by-laws.
Fourteen people were present: Emma Adams, Loren Doherty, Alma McNaughten,
Betty Short, Bob Hasty, Oscar Brown, Fran Eiland, Mary Clements, Mrs.
Ola 'Grandma' McDonald, Sarah Castillo, Eligio Castillo, Maybell Honey,
Fred Honey. The election was by ballot, and the following people were
elected for the first board: Betty Short, President, Fred Wilbourn,
Vice-President, Emma Adams, Secretary, Bob Hasty, Treasurer, and Loren
Doherty, Member.
Honorary memberships would be given to those who gave extraordinary
service to the museum. Honorary members were:
-
The
Doherty Family: John, Catherine, Louise, Danny, Loren, Hazel, Jimmy,
and Sylvia
-
Dick
and Elaine Kennedy
-
Paul
Kastler, for his work on the constitution and by-laws.
The
State Museum lacked the staff to support a walking path to the Folsom
Man Monument and were afraid to open it without supervision to keep
people from disturbing the area. A promise to help with the museum
exhibits was given. When the anticipated aid didn't come, the museum
committee proceeded on their own and collected items to be on loan for
exhibit.
On
July 30, 1967, the Grand Opening, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., with a local
talent art show, floral displays and refreshments, was a great success
with more than 250 persons registered and an estimate of at least 350
people there. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves just looking, visiting
and reminiscing.
Originally, the museum was open daily from 2:00 - 5:00, with volunteers
taking turns staying at the museum. People came earlier and later,
wanting in, so soon, Emma Adams was spending long hours, daily, taking
care of the museum. We had 980 registered visitors the first summer,
besides the ones on opening day, for a total of over 1200. The museum
received many compliments from visitors on the variety of items and
interesting things displayed. (In recent years, the museum has had to
begin charging for admission to cover operating expenses). During the
first years, the museum was hard-pressed for money. Dinners to raise
money for expenses were held. On April 2, 1968, a dinner was held at the
Fire House from 11:00 - 2:00. The fried chicken dinner came with
vegetables, salad and dessert at $1.00 for adults and 50 cents a plate
for children. All the women in the area were frying chickens (38 in
all), and making other goodies. At 11:00, people were wanting to eat. A
steady stream of people came until after 2:30. Different ones ran home
and whipped up another salad, or opened cans of vegetables to have
something to feed the people. Most of the food was donated. When the
money was counted, $261.24 was earned from the dinner. In 1968, 2,970
visitors, including some from foreign countries, visited the museum.
Each year the number of visitors increased. By 1972, when the museum was
open longer hours, 6,600 visitors registered. Currently, between 2,000
and 3,000 people visit the museum each year. Emma Adams, for many years,
put in long hours and would open the museum any time someone asked. She
really enjoyed visiting with the people. A native, Emma could tell the
ranching and cattle history, and personal stories about the exhibits.
Everyone loved her and people would come back years later asking about
the nice little lady who ran the museum. For years, Emma was
secretary-treasurer of the board.
The
Folsom Museum is open from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.
Everyone has a family and can't stay the long hours Emma did. Nor do the
volunteers know the history like Emma did. Interest in the area history
continues and visitors still compliment us on our nice museum. Each year
groups of school children from New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Kansas and
Oklahoma visit the museum. Some come back year after year, bringing new
groups of students. Groups of Boy Scouts, archaeologists, the rich and
poor, the young and old, all seem to enjoy the museum. Local people
bring friends and relatives that are visiting. The museum has brought
many people into Folsom that otherwise wouldn't have come. Advertising
has been word of mouth. The State Highway Department 'Folsom Museum'
signs on Hwy 87 at Capulin and Des Moines help. Plus, the Capulin
Volcano National Monument staff tell visitors about the museum. People
were skeptical, at first, and didn't think it would work. But, with a
lot of hard work, cooperation, and determination on the part of many
people, the Folsom Museum has been a success for 36 years.
Contributed by
Betty Short
