Truchas History Museum is a private museum preserving the history of Truchas, one of northern New Mexico’s oldest villages.
Truchas History Museum is a private museum preserving the history of Truchas, one of northern New Mexico’s oldest villages.
Learn about the history of my family and the settlement of Truchas at Truchas History Museum. I was inspired to start this museum for the love of my father, Felimon Sandoval Jr. and my grandparents, Felimon M. Sandoval Sr. and Anita F. Sandoval. I give special dedication to my mother, Annie, for her unconditional love. To my stepmother, Ella Serrano-Lujan, thank you for giving me a mother's love, and showing me how to be creative. It is my hope that this museum will be an inspiration to people with ties to our town and that they will share some of their stories with us so that we do not forget the hardworking families who have made our town what it is today...deep in the heart of Truchas.
©Copyright Leslie Sandoval 2005
After the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 which drove the Spanish settlers out of New Mexico for 12 years, the Spanish started to expand their settlement to protect the established settlements of Santa Fe, Santa Cruz de la Canada, and Albuquerque. Since the Spanish governors were extending these settlements to outer areas, the village of Las Tru
After the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 which drove the Spanish settlers out of New Mexico for 12 years, the Spanish started to expand their settlement to protect the established settlements of Santa Fe, Santa Cruz de la Canada, and Albuquerque. Since the Spanish governors were extending these settlements to outer areas, the village of Las Truchas was granted the "Nuestra Senora del Rosario, San Fernando y Santiago Land Grant" on March 6, 1754 that consisted of 20,000 acres (original survey). This was
only 2 years after 11 families from Chimayo and Cordova petitioned for the grant from Spanish Governor Velez Cachupin.
My Name is Leslie Sandoval-Romero, a native to Truchas, NM and a direct descendant of the many families to first settle in this beautiful place. I left Truchas after finishing high school to attend college. During the course of my studies, I was often reminded of the little town I grew up in and left behind; a town with people I love and
My Name is Leslie Sandoval-Romero, a native to Truchas, NM and a direct descendant of the many families to first settle in this beautiful place. I left Truchas after finishing high school to attend college. During the course of my studies, I was often reminded of the little town I grew up in and left behind; a town with people I love and a town filled with childhood memories.
I can remember, as a young girl, one day coming into Grandmas’ kitchen warmed by a wood burning stove and asking for help with a splinter I had gotten while playing outside. Grandma would sing a little song for me to help me shed the fear of the burned tip needle digging into my flesh to take out the splinter. I can remember not ever thinking about the pain because of the beautiful voice grandma had that overcame that pain.
My grandmother raised my father with the same beautiful voice that he sang with his guitar during holidays or family gatherings. Grandma also raised a man that was stronger than an oak tree that provided for his children and encouraged to go to college.
I always looked up to my father because of his discipline in raising his children, to challenge our lives with positive opportunities while always staying true to the foundation of our planted roots; Faith in God, working hard, and never giving up no matter how difficult the road ahead.
Las Truchas is a town where I can remember where the winters were winters, and children were children sliding with tubes down any hill that was accessible or not; a town where my faith in God was established; and a town where I remember neighbors helping neighbors.
The Journal North published an article about this very personal and very family focused museum in 2011. As visitors attended, they would tell me that my museum was surreal because of the very heart put into every display that resonates throughout. I received visitors from all over the state to get ideas on how to preserve their ancestral property, and they were amazed!
In 2014, my father and I were interviewed by the New Mexico Magazine and Published in 2015, and in 2017 my father and I received a State of New Mexico Historic Individual Preservation Award. Through my creation of Truchas History Museum, it has brought many tears of joy to some, and beautiful memories to others.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
My father Felimon Sandoval Jr, "El Plastador", beginning with the museum restoration when my husband and I purchased my grandmother's estate. Come see the years of research and exhibits in this little adobe home to find the heart that resides within.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
My Grandpa Felimon Sandoval Sr. was a "Juez de Paz" (Precinct #5) judge in the 1940s and 50s as was his father before him. This is one of the many exhibits with my grandpa's judicial work as having served also as a deputy sheriff and was involved with politics often seen with NM "Political Boss", Emilio Naranjo and other political figure
My Grandpa Felimon Sandoval Sr. was a "Juez de Paz" (Precinct #5) judge in the 1940s and 50s as was his father before him. This is one of the many exhibits with my grandpa's judicial work as having served also as a deputy sheriff and was involved with politics often seen with NM "Political Boss", Emilio Naranjo and other political figures in Las Truchas at my Grandpa's "Rocky Mountain Tavern" (1948-1953). Other examples include Juez de Paz documents dating back to the 1700s.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
This book of "Alabados" is a traditional book of Spanish hymns of life, death, and piety that belonged and used by my grandpa with the Penitentes/Los Hermanos (brotherhood) of Las Truchas Morada from the 1800s to early 1900s but can possibly date back further. The hymns and Castilion language is a reflection of historic Spanish Catholic
This book of "Alabados" is a traditional book of Spanish hymns of life, death, and piety that belonged and used by my grandpa with the Penitentes/Los Hermanos (brotherhood) of Las Truchas Morada from the 1800s to early 1900s but can possibly date back further. The hymns and Castilion language is a reflection of historic Spanish Catholic devotional traditions passed through Colonial New Spain and preserved by my family over generations. My grandfather Felimon Sandoval Sr. was a Penitente and often sang these hymns during Lent or at Rosarios typically the night before the funeral; a tradition still practiced today.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
Rosendo Rodriguez was a resident of Las Truchas and grandfather to my friend Peggy. He is a hero to our village as he is also a hero to our country having been recognized by the US War Department for his contributions with the Atomic Bomb in 1945.
My Grandfather, Efren Salazar, was a WWI Veteran, 110 Infantry, 22 Division, was a prisoner of war on October 4, 1918. My grandfather was wounded, and received a purple heart. Just one of the many exhibits that honor the veterans in my family and those veterans in our village of Las Truchas.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
Grandma's Trading Post & Truchas History Museum has a place for community, a place
for memories, and a place to shop for souvenirs and unique gifts ...a reminder of the labor of love my
father and I created together and a warm reflection of my childhood of this beautiful
town. It is like taking a step back in time when life seemed slo
Grandma's Trading Post & Truchas History Museum has a place for community, a place
for memories, and a place to shop for souvenirs and unique gifts ...a reminder of the labor of love my
father and I created together and a warm reflection of my childhood of this beautiful
town. It is like taking a step back in time when life seemed slower.
Antiques, Souvenirs, Snacks, Homemade Jams & more!
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
Truchas History Museum always has a place for community, friendship, and celebration; A place for memories, tears, and laughter.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
The village of Las Truchas is nestled at the foot of the awe-inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountains on a stretch of land that overseas the beautiful
Rio Grande Valley.
Las Truchas is a historic village located just 60 minutes north of Santa Fe or 60 minutes south of Taos. At an elevation of 8,000 feet the air is
clear, the views expansive, an
The village of Las Truchas is nestled at the foot of the awe-inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountains on a stretch of land that overseas the beautiful
Rio Grande Valley.
Las Truchas is a historic village located just 60 minutes north of Santa Fe or 60 minutes south of Taos. At an elevation of 8,000 feet the air is
clear, the views expansive, and the sunsets breathtaking.
The Valley of northern New Mexico are rich in culture having first been settled in 1598 when Don Juan de Onate led a Spanish expedition to the area.
It is in this place of majestic beauty that many hard-working families long ago first chose to settle in 1752 (1754-Nuestra Senora del Rosario
San Fernando y Santiago Land Grant) and farm after leaving behind the crowded Santa Cruz and Chimayo valleys.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
Explore artifacts and exhibits preserving the history of Truchas and northern New Mexico.
Welcome to Truchas History Museum, where you can explore the history of Truchas and the families who shaped our town through my personal collection of artifacts and exhibits.