Truchas History Museum — Truchas, New Mexico
Experience 270 years of village history through the families who lived it.
Truchas History Museum — Truchas, New Mexico
Experience 270 years of village history through the families who lived it.
About Truchas History Museum
Before the Museum Restoration
About Us
Truchas History Museum grew from my love for my father, Felimon Sandoval Jr., and my grandparents, Felimon M. Sandoval Sr. and Anita F. Sandoval.
This museum preserves our
family's history and the history of Truchas, honoring the hardworking families who made our village what it is today.
My hope is that it inspires others to preserve and share their own family stories
so they are not forgotten...deep in the heart of Truchas.
©Copyright Leslie Sandoval 2005
After the Museum Restoration
After the Museum Restoration
About Us
The Settlement
Following the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, in which the Pueblo people drove the Spanish colonists from New Mexico for 12 years, Spanish colonial authorities expanded settlements after their return in 1692 to strengthen and protect communities such as Santa Fe, Santa Cruz de la Cañada, and Albuquerque. As part of that expansion, the Village of
Following the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, in which the Pueblo people drove the Spanish colonists from New Mexico for 12 years, Spanish colonial authorities expanded settlements after their return in 1692 to strengthen and protect communities such as Santa Fe, Santa Cruz de la Cañada, and Albuquerque. As part of that expansion, the Village of Las Truchas was established under the Nuestra Señora del Rosario, San Fernando y Santiago Land Grant, issued on March 6, 1754. The original grant encompassed approximately 20,000 acres and followed a petition submitted two years earlier by eleven families from Chimayó and Córdova to Spanish Governor Tomás Vélez Cachupín.
My Story
My Name is Leslie Sandoval-Romero, a native to Truchas, NM and a direct descendant of the many families who made their homes in this beautiful community generations ago.
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 to
My Name is Leslie Sandoval-Romero, a native to Truchas, NM and a direct descendant of the many families who made their homes in this beautiful community generations ago.
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 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.
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
The Restoration
My Father, Felimon Sandoval Jr. (1935-2019)
My father Felimon Sandoval Jr (El Lechero) "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
Exhibits
My Grandfather's Judicial Work
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).
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
Exhibits
Alabados de los Penitentes
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
Exhibits
Rosendo Rodriguez (1905-1991)
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.
Exhibits
My Grandfather WWI Efren Salazar (1895-1946)
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
COMMUNITY
Local Residents - Museum Open House
Truchas History Museum always has a place for community, friendship, and celebration; A place for memories, tears, and laughter.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
Las Truchas
Las Truchas
The village of Las Truchas is nestled at the foot of the awe-inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountains on a stretch of land that overlooks 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,
The village of Las Truchas is nestled at the foot of the awe-inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountains on a stretch of land that overlooks 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 valleys of Northern New Mexico are rich in cultural heritage, shaped over thousands of years by Indigenous peoples and later by Spanish colonists.
It was within this landscape that many hard-working families later established homes and farms in Las Truchas under the Nuestra Señora del Rosario San Fernando y Santiago Land Grant beginning in the 1750s, after leaving the more crowded Santa Cruz and Chimayó valleys.
©Copyright Leslie Romero 2005
SHOPPING
Grandma's Trading Post - The Museum Gift Shop — NOW OPEN - Online Year-Round
NOW OPEN — ONLINE YEAR-ROUND
For more than twenty years, visitors to the Truchas History Museum have enjoyed browsing Grandma’s Trading Post after exploring the museum. Over the years, many have asked whether they could shop with us online. In response to those requests, we are pleased to finally bring the museum gift shop online, allowing visitors near and far to browse and shop throughout the year.
Grandma’s Trading Post & Truchas History Museum is a place for community and memories, with souvenirs and unique gifts that reflect the labor of love my father and I created together and my childhood in this beautiful town.
Many of the items include a special story label. Some share the history behind the piece, while others carry a memory from my childhood growing up in Truchas. They are little reminders that every object has a story worth preserving.
Antiques • Souvenirs • Seasonal Finds & Much More
Discover Truchas History Museum
Welcome to the Truchas History Museum, where you can explore the history, heritage, and traditions of Truchas through thoughtfully curated photographs, artifacts, documents, and stories that honor the ordinary, extraordinary people who shaped our community.
INDEPENDENT MUSEUM
Dedicated to preserving Truchas history.