Here is how the New Mexico State University website described the University Museum that is located inside the Las Cruces campus.
“The Museum collections are primarily anthropological (archaeological and ethnographic) with secondary collections in history and the natural sciences. Anthropological collections document the cultural diversity of the border in the Greater Southwest and northern Mexico.”
Well, that description was enough to make me visit the museum. First, I went there on a Tuesday around 2PM. The website says that it is open from Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4PM. However, without any warning posted online, the museum was closed that day. I was disappointed, but since I was determined to see it, I came back the following day.
I was greeted at the entrance by a friendly lady who told me about the two galleries inside.
The Native Southwest Gallery
Everything about the native Americans! This is the section where you see exhibits on musical instruments and potteries.
The highlight of the gallery is the handmaking pottery with pieces mostly from the greater Southwest and few pieces from Costa Rica and Colombia.
And look at these ceramics made from prehistoric times in New Mexico!
The gallery is very organized, however, the items on exhibit are very limited. I was done seeing the pieces in 15 minutes or so.
The Southwestern Weavings Gallery
No picture-taking was allowed inside. I wonder why this was so, when the gallery was never impressive anyway. The room was very small and when I was there, there were people painting the walls, which was disappointing to begin with.
It took me just 5 minutes to see the gallery and I went out unimpressed.
Without the Native Southwest Gallery, the museum is not worth visiting.
NMSU should really make improvements of the two galleries, especially the Weavings gallery.
If you still intend to visit, the University Museum is located in Kent Hall on the corner of University Avenue and Solano Drive, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
