Hoffman Collection of Prehistoric Pottery   ~NEW!~

The Hoffman Collection of Prehistoric Pottery was donated to Western New Mexico University Museum in December 2005.  The collection includes three Classic Mimbres Black-on-white (Style III) bowls, one Tularosa Black-on-white ladle with a unique rattle handle, and one Tularosa Black-on-white jar, or olla.  The collection will be featured in our new exhibition, New Acquisitions and Loans, opening in January 2007.

 

 

 

Museum Calendar 2006-2007

2006
Memorial Day Weekend, Museum Closed	May 26-27
Independence Day, Museum Closed	July 4
Pre-construction Inventory Sale, Museum Shop	July 3-16
Renovation begins, Museum Closed	July 17
Museum Closed to Public During Renovation	July 17, 2006 to January 2, 2007
WNMU Museum/MRAC Arts & Culture Tour to Oaxaca	November 13-19
2007
Museum Re-opens to Public after WNMU Winter Holiday	TBA
Revitalizing History Celebration and Ribbon-cutting	January 9, 3-6 PM
Exhibition Opening: The Photography of Michael Berman	January TBA

 

 

 

Historic Fleming Hall

Western New Mexico University Museum is housed in Fleming Hall on the main campus directly across from the main entrance of Miller Library.  Fleming Hall was designed by the El Paso architectural firm of Trost and Trost and built in 1916-1917 of native red brick and wood.  The building has plaster-and-lathe interior walls, and, until 20 years ago, had a red slate roof.  Fleming Hall is noted for having one of the only original, intact truss-beamed ceilings in the Southwest.

The building was initially cooled by a series of transoms, one which was located in the roof, and heated by radiators. The roof transom system was boarded up over 30 years ago at the same time the over-the-door transom systems were mothballed and hardware removed.  Fleming Hall is now heated by an ancient steam boiler system; and lacks both air-conditioning and a climate control system. 

In many places, the Museum still relies upon the out-dated original electrical system and rubber-coated cloth wiring.  By December 2007, Fleming Hall will be completely re-wired and new, museum quality lighting installed under the Revitalizing History project.

Built as the university’s first gymnasium and chemistry laboratory, Fleming Hall also housed, in succession, the university library and the Expressive Arts department before becoming the permanent home of the museum in 1973. For many years, Jesse Bingaman, father of Senator Jeff Bingaman, had his office and taught chemistry in this building.

Fleming Hall is part of the WNMU Historic District, is on the State Register of Historic Places, and eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.