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
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