About the New Mexico Statehood Centennial

On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th State in the U.S. Beginning on August 28, 2011 and continuing throughout 2012, communities statewide will commemorate one hundred years of New Mexico statehood: telling stories of the past, while envisioning the state’s next hundred years.

With participation in 33 counties statewide, the commemoration encompasses a wide range of centennial-themed events, projects, and initiatives, including statehood history timelines for schools, libraries, and parks; educational programming for students and visitors; and workshops for teachers to enhance the teaching of New Mexico history. In addition, Centennial special events include the Centennial SalsaFest kickoff in Las Cruces on August 28, 2011; a historic steam locomotive event from Tucumcari to Lordsburg on November 4, 2011; and a Centennial Hot Air Balloon will promote the Centennial at events statewide throughout the 16-month commemoration.

The New Mexico Centennial Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization created to support commemorative activities leading up to, and throughout 2012. Established in June of 2010, the Foundation works in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and other agencies to seize this important moment for increased education, tourism and economic growth in communities throughout New Mexico.

NM Centennial Foundation Board of Directors

Honorary Members

• U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman
• U.S. Senator Tom Udall
• U.S. Congressman Martin Heinrich
• U.S. Congressman Ben Ray Lujan
• U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce

Board Members

• Stephen L. Elliott, President
• Bryan J. “Chip” Chippeaux, Treasurer
• Randy Randall, Secretary
• Suzanne Ortega Cisneros
• Manuel Lujan

NM Centennial Task Force

Created by executive order in 2008, the Task Force includes eleven cabinet secretaries, four New Mexico legislators, and a representative of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. New appointees for 2011-2012 will be announced in 2011.

NM Centennial Steering Committee

Initiated at the NM Department of Cultural Affairs in 2003, the Steering Committee is a group of scholars, historians and tourism experts who review and approve proposals for official projects and events.

• Jan Biella, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer; New Mexico Historic Preservation Division
• Don Bullis, NM Centennial Author
• Cynthia Chavez-Lamar, PhD, Director, Indian Arts Research Center, School of Advanced Research
• Bev Friedman, NM Public Education Department
• Rick Hendricks, PhD, State Historian
• Frances Levine, PhD, Director, Palace of the Governors
• Joe Lobato, Executive Director, New Mexico Clean and Beautiful
• Craig Newbill, Executive Director, New Mexico Humanities Council
• Sharon Schultz, CEO New Mexico Tourism Association
• Ron Solimon, Executive Director, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
• Claude Stephenson, PhD, New Mexico State Folklorist
• Michael Stevenson, President, Historical Society of New Mexico
• J. Paul Taylor, former Representative, Las Cruces
• Dennis Trujillo, PhD, Assistant State Historian, Office of the State Historian

NM Centennial Founders Committee

• Lorin Erramouspe Abbey
• Charmay Allred
• Clara Apodaca
• Lisa Barker
• JoAnn Balzer
• Sherry Davis
• Christina Fenton
• Michael Namingha
• Sandy Zane

DCA Staff

• Veronica N. Gonzales, Secretary
• Victoria Arias
• Anee Green-Romig
• Doug Patinka
• Mimi Roberts
• Doug Svetnicka

Centennial Staff

• Jodi Delaney, Executive Director
• Sarah T. Ives, Administrative Assistant
• Catherine Sherwood, Social Media Coordinator
• Janice Spence, Outreach Coordinator
• Alexandria Taylor, Partnership Coordinator

Website by Big Swing

New Mexico Centennial Office
401 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 984-2012
nmcentennial@gmail.com
http://nmcentennial.org