El Pueblo Lodge Blog

Sharing a border with the country of Mexico has influenced the state of New Mexico in a lot of ways.  Taos’ close proximity to Mexico has meant that culture in our city is heavily influenced by Hispanic traditions.  This has lead to Taos’ diverse architecture, and a variety of ethnically distinct dining traditions.  Perhaps the biggest influence the shared border with Mexico has had on our city is the rich Spanish culture which has influenced art in the Taos region for centuries.

Every year, tourists from around the United States, and the rest of the world, come to Taos to experience what this region is famous for, a culture made from the mingling of hispanic immigrants, Native Americans, and the travelers who set upon New Mexico to call our picturesque southern state home.  Thanks to an exciting history, Taos is full of artistic artifacts which are centuries old.  Many of these artifacts can be seen in any number of Taos’ beautiful museums and art galleries.  One Such museum is the Millicent Rogers Museum

Millicent Rogers

A native of New York, Millicent Rogers was born in 1902 into a wealthy family headed up by Henry Huttleston Rogers II, founder of Standard Oil.  Her family’s wealth, and social status meant that Millicent got a lot of attention and was often seen on the cover of Vogue Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar.  Her life was the subject of talk around town and gossip columns reminiscent of today’s tabloids.

Throughout her life, Rogers was in love with art.  Her favorite artistic pieces where Southwestern in style.  Her love of Southwestern-style art prompted her to become an activist and supporter of the cause for Native American civil rights.

In the 1940s, Rogers passion for Native American art brought her to Taos New Mexico.  Here, she purchased as many as 2,000 different piece of Native American art and artifacts.  In 1947, she went on to lead a team which aimed to promote the issue of Native American rights.  She successful managed to have Native American art protected on the grounds that it served as a historic piece of artistic culture.

The Millicent Rogers Museum is a testament to the people, culture, and art that Rogers so dearly loved and dedicated so much of her life to preserving for future generations, such as our’s, to enjoy.

Millicent Rogers Museum Collection

 With some of the pieces of Millicent Rogers’ own collection on display, the Millicent Rogers Museum is the perfect place for any art-enthusiast, or new-comer to the world of Southwestern-style art to see and experience the beautiful Southwestern artistic culture that the Taos region is famous for.  The museum showcases Native American Arts, Hispanic Arts, Contemporary Arts, Southwestern Jewelry, and a collection of work by Maria Martinez, which has been donated to the Millicent Rogers Museum by the surviving members of the Martinez family.

For more information about the Exhibits and the works of art on display at the Millicent Rogers Museum, visit their website.

The Millicent Rogers Museum is just a small sampling of the rich artistic culture to be experienced in the Taos area.  Visitors to our city experience all sorts of unique Southwestern culture including this region’s art and architecture.  While visiting Taos, guests of El Pueblo Lodge can enjoy Taos culture and the comfort, hospitality, and a friendly home away from home that our hotel is known for.  For more information on booking a stay with El Pueblo Lodge,  please contact us.  We look forward to hosting your visit to the beautiful state of New Mexico.

When you think about Taos New Mexico as a potential travel destination, the attractions and reasons to visit which spring to mind might be the incredible skiing in the Taos Ski Valley, the diverse dining experience that is unique to the Taos area, or the rich artistic culture indicative of this region of New Mexico that can be explored through the city’s many museums and art galleries.  What you might not think about when it comes to visiting Taos, is a fun, family-friendly destination.

What you’re overlooking, however, is that Taos New Mexico has something to offer everyone.  Whether you are looking for adventure, a place to relax, or an exciting vacation to share with the whole family, Taos has something for you, and staying at El Pueblo Lodge means that all Taos has to offer is right at your finger tips.

Taos is full of family-friendly adventure.   While visiting Taos and staying at El Pueblo Lodge, guests have the opportunity to experience was has been described as a “destination in itself”, the Twirl Toy Store and Play Space.

Twirl Toy Store and Play Space

Located at the center of Taos’ exciting historic district in an ancient 150 year-old Adobe building typical of the Taos region, Twirl is located in what once was home to famed actor Dennis Hopper, and Canado-American painter, Agnes Martin.  The property on which this historic building sits is beautifully landscaped and includes a picturesque fishpond, a wishing well, a secret staircase which is home to mythical beasts such a dragons, and Ali Baba’s fireplace.

There is a small grassy field complete with hand-crafted play installations, some oversized musical instruments to spur creativity, and crazy mirrors for your kids to get a fun and silly look at themselves.  There is a larger outdoor area with a climbing structure bigger kids will enjoy and a rocky fountain to play in.  There is also a large area which is paved and perfect for outdoor activities and games.

The toy store is like no other and consists of four rooms full of toys your kids can play with and games for all ages to enjoy.  The top floor of Twirl is a room full of music and children are invited to take part in both music classes and dance classes.

Twirl Activities

Twirl’s exciting play space is open each day from 10am-6pm and is completely free.  For children aged six years and younger, Twirl  offers free classes and free craft sessions.

Each Wednesday from 10:15-10:45am, Twirl presents Baby Music With Angela which is a thirty minute class for parents and babies up to eighteen months.  Angela will teach parents new lullabies and music meant to kick start your baby’s creativity and love of music.

On Wednesday, Twirl also offers Family Music With Angela, a thirty minutes class between 11:15-11:45am aimed at sharing music with toddlers between the ages of 1 1/2-3 1/2 years of age and their parents.  In these classes, Angela will teach parents and children new songs they can sing together and fun actions to go along with each song.  Twirl also offers Family Music With Angela on Friday between 10:15-10:45am.

Fridays are exciting days at Twirl.  Between 10:15-10:45am it’s craft time with Angela.  Later in the day between 11:00-11:45am, it’s time for Pre-Ballet With Ms Amber.  Pre-Ballet is open to children ages 3-6 years old and offers children a brief introduction to Ballet, Flamenco, Belly Dancing, and other forms of dance.  Pre-Ballet offers children a chance to learn new movements, be active, socialize and wear fun costumes.  Pre-Ballet is taught my Amber Vasquez of the Taos Youth Ballet Company.

Each Saturday between 11am-1pm it’s time for Crafty Kids With Angela.  All classes and activities offered by Twirl Toy Store and Play Space are free of charge and do not require participants to sign-up in advance.

The fun, family-friendly activities offered by Twirl is just a small sampling of the excitement that awaits families when they vacation in Taos.  While staying in our beautiful city, El Pueblo Lodge is the perfect destination for all families.  Our suites offer guests all the comforts of home and a clean, friendly environment close to all amenities.  For more information of booking a stay with El Pueblo Lodge, please contact us.

When you and your family come to visit Taos New Mexico, there isn’t a part of your trip that you aren’t going to want to remember.  While you won’t want to leave, the cold harsh reality that, at some point, you are going to have to go back to your busy city life is something you’ll have to face.  Fortunately, the John Dunn House Shops are a great way to take a piece of Taos home with you.  A souvenir purchased here is guaranteed to keep your visit to Taos at the forefront of your mind and dear to your heart.

Who Was Long John Dunn?

A loveable rascal himself, John Dunn was born in Victoria Texas and had the misfortune of calling Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane, Billy the Kid, and Pat Garrett, Billy the Kid’s killer, friends.  Having accidentally killed his brother-in-law in a fist fight while standing up for his sister, Dunn’s own life was hampered by trouble with the law.

It was following his escape from prison, and while he was on the run from the law that John  landed in New Mexico.  Having filed through his leg irons, John was able to evade capture by hiding under a hay load of Taoseno and floating down river from Texas to Elizabethtown New Mexico.  Upon settling in Elizabethtown, John Dunn opened his own saloon and started a gambling business which prospered thanks to the towns booming gold rush which started in 1866.

Pursuing a life long dream of starting his own transportation business, in 1887, Dunn rode from Elizabethtown all the way to Taos.  Dunn had previously described his ideal location for his transportation business as a “place that was good and isolated and so damn rough it wouldn’t pay to build railroads”.  Taos ended up being that place.

Following a flood which wiped out both of the bridged into Taos which Dunn owned, John built a toll bridge across the Rio Grande near Arroyo Hondo which meant he had a monopoly on the only road in and out of Taos.  He operated the only stage coach services in the area, and built a hotel near his own toll bridge which he referred to as the ‘Road Ranch”.

Having passed away in 1953 in the town in which he was heavily invested, Long John Dunn’s home  still stands as the centerpiece of Taos’ finest shopping district.

The Shops at The Historic John Dunn House Shops

A visit to John Dunn House Shops is like a visit to historic Taos.  The atmosphere here encapsulates the rich and colorful history of New Mexico.  The old word, Wild West feel of Long John Dunn’s former homestead is reason enough to visit this piece of Taos history.

Today, the John Dunn House Shops include Bent Street Cafe & Deli, the perfect place to grab a little lunch during your Taos shopping trip.  G. Robinson Old Prints & Maps is a quaint little shop nestled between two book stores which offers visitors of Taos a chance to take home a piece of this beautiful New Mexico city in the form of an antique map, medieval manuscripts, and original lithographs. Coyote Moon is an excellent place to pick up all sorts of authentic Mexican inspired art. For a piece of the modern world in this place of frozen time, visit Seconds Eco Store.

These are just a few of the great shops which await you at the John Dunn House Shops.  There are also some fantastic Street Vendors, and some great live music.

When visiting Taos, staying with us at El Pueblo Lodge means great experiences like the one that you’re sure to have at the historic John Dunn House Shops are right at your finger tips.  We offer guests the comfiest and most welcoming of accommodations which will aid in guaranteeing your visit to Taos New Mexico will be something you won’t soon forget.