Native American ritual is displayed in the University Museum gallery (Photo by Dominic Nicholas)

Story and video by by Dominic Nicholas

Entering the gate of Kent Hall and walking across the completely silent building lobby to the University Museum on a winter afternoon has a “beginning of a scary movie” feel to it at first.

But when someone opens the door to the University Museum, the mood changes because of the warm personalities of the people working there.  The staff of the museum is a very helpful, attentive bunch.  Even with the slightly dim rooms, bright staffers welcome all visitors with at greeting and give the proper assistance immediately.  Treated with familiarity, that feeling carries over to the material within the museum.

What’s inside

Visitors are introduced to artifacts that depict general knowledge of the Southwest, such as pots, sculptures and photographs.  The Director of the University Museum, Monte L. McCrossin, works very closely with the material and staff at the museum.

McCrossin says he enjoys every aspect of the museum, but is in the process of making big changes that he feels will catch the eye of a lot of people: he plans to bring in new artifacts that “more accurately tell the history of New Mexico.” But, he adds, ”The new material may be a little more controversial.”  Attempting to create a valid presentation of the history of New Mexico that will attract attention within the community has not been easy for the University Museum, McCrossin maintains.

50 years plus

Southwestern pots are part of the permanent display at the museum. (Photo by Dominic Nicholas)

Established in 1959, the New Mexico State University Museum has been a part of the Las Cruces community for more than 50 years.

Although one would believe a half a century of existence would be enough time to create a steady stream of visitors interested in what the Museum has to offer, that is not necessarily the case.  Besides the few scheduled elementary class field trips to the the University Museum, not very many people stop to see what’s inside.  In fact, the museum at NMSU is not visited by students very often, staff members share.

More than a few students pass by the building located on University Avenue everyday and may never stop and take a look inside. Those who do venture into the University Museum often leave with a little more knowledge of the intriguing culture and history.