All the good reviews you read online about the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum located in Deming New Mexico are all true. First, Deming is a small town with a population of about 15,000. Second, it is located away from big cities and surrounded by flat lands and mountains from far distance. These two alone made me question how such a town can have a museum that houses many artifacts and art pieces, all well put together. Astounded, I was. Who would have thought that a little town in New Mexico called Deming would have such an interesting museum?

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No question, this was the best museum of any small town I have been to. The selection of exhibits varies from old photos, to furniture, to WWII memorabilia, to musical instruments, to classic vehicles, to dolls and toys, to stunning rocks, minerals, and geodes. One room after another, every space filled to the brim with pieces of history.

Founded in 1936, the museum is dedicated to preserving the rich history and diverse cultures of the Mimbres Valley region, which includes Deming and the surrounding area.

The museum is named after the Mimbres people, who inhabited the area from around 200 to 1450 CE. The Mimbres are known for their distinctive pottery, which features intricate designs of animals, people, and geometric shapes. The museum has an extensive collection of Mimbres pottery, including many rare and important pieces.

In addition to Mimbres pottery, the museum’s collection includes artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Deming and the surrounding region. These include displays on the area’s mining industry, agriculture, and transportation, as well as exhibits on the area’s military history and the role of women in the region.

One of the highlights of the museum’s collection is a replica of a 19th-century street in Deming, complete with a saloon, general store, and other businesses. This exhibit provides visitors with a glimpse into what life was like in Deming during the Wild West era.

The museum also has a research library and archives that contain a wealth of information on the history of the Mimbres Valley and its people. Researchers and scholars are welcome to use these resources for their studies.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum also hosts temporary exhibits throughout the year. These exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from local art and culture to national and international topics of interest.

The photos below don’t even describe the completeness of the museum. You have to be there to appreciate the offerings.

Array of vehicles.

Real life chuck wagon and all the historical vehicles.
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This is the first auto in Deming.

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A 1909 Model T Ford.

This was the Fire Chief’s car in the town of Mogollon, New Mexico during the beginning of the automotive era.

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The raw geodes plus the meteorite.

The biggest rock collections I have ever seen in a museum. Thanks to Basin Range Volcanics Geolapidary Museum.
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War memorabilia.

Different rooms portray different war memorabilia.
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Hundreds of whiskey bottles.

How I love the unique designs of the collectable whiskey bottles. Yes, there was an Elvis Presley whiskey bottle. And even popes had theirs.
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Old cameras, communication equipment, and hundreds of bells.

Prepare to take in all the info this place has to offer.
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There are theme rooms in the second floor.

The Hispanic theme, the textile theme, the medical theme, the local history theme…
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Look how beautifully laid-out are the second floor collections.
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The hallways.

Aside from the many memorable portraits and paintings, it also has the 1867 square grand piano.
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Best collection of the Mimbres pottery.

“Mimbres culture” was around AD 1000-1130. The pottery from the Mimbres region, often finely painted bowls, is “distinct in style and is decorated with geometric designs and figurative paintings of animals, people and cultural icons in black paint on a white background.”
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There is so much history in one place and the themed rooms seem to go on and on. If you have inquiries, do not hesitate to ask the friendly volunteers. They are very helpful and knowledgeable.

It may take two hours to see the entire collection. This is a free museum that is run almost entirely by volunteers. So please leave a little donation on your way out.

Will I recommend this museum to my friends? CERTAINLY. You can never find a museum as complete as this one in a relatively small town, but in Deming!

Deming Luna Mimbres Museum
Address: 301 South Silver, Deming, NM 88031
Phone Number: 505-546-2383
Hours: Monday – Saturday, from 9am to 4pm
For more info, visit the official Facebook page.

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See also: My other travel adventures.