New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors

Everyone was helpful and the exhibits were neat.

We visited this museum the weekend after the Forth of July, 2019. In my opinion this museum lives up to many other attractions in Santa Fe, overrated and overpriced. We were charged the regular out of state admission rate, even though the Palace of the Governors was being renovated (meaning we could not view this exhibit). Yes, we were warned prior to being charged for admission. Yes, we were still charged the twelve dollar admission even though the Palace exhibit was closed. WHY? The rest of the museum was nothing special, especially the "Atomic Age" exhibit (where photography is prohibited, though I'm not sure why since it's such a poor excuse for a museum exhibit). That being said, the "permanent" exhibits DO NOT justify this admission rate. I do not recommend this museum to anyone. We will not be back, Palace or not.

A must on your first visit to Santa Fe. We did not know very much New Mexico State history, and left informed and enlightened. Our only regret was the Palace of the Governors was closed due to renovations and we were unable to tour that. (Aug 2019) Follow the timeline for the best experience. Wonderful displays. Beautiful gift shop. Highly recommend!

Although it looks nice, the collection is oddly composed. Text is often not well written or without clear details. A lot of awkward moments where Native American genocide is brushed over in favor of Euro-Christian triumphs. The Moon/Apollo exhibit was barely more than a high school book report and the atomic history exhibit was also strangely slapped together. However the place looks like it has a lot of funding and generic museum-like decor.

Okay, but leaves a lot of open questions about how the land was robbed from the natives an what happened with them. This shameful part of the history is underrepresented while there are 2 rooms about soldiers in both World Wars which feels misplaced in a museum like this. Unfortunately, it runs into the same patriotic trap as a lot of other museums in the states instead of taking care of a critical view on the own history. Such museums should take over this role and shouldn't run the patriotism way.