Tularosa Basin Museum of History

Tularosa Basin Museum of History Museum offers extensive displays of area history with full research library, gift shop, and book store.

The New Mexico state flag is one of the most recognizable state flags in the country, but many people may not know the h...
05/20/2026

The New Mexico state flag is one of the most recognizable state flags in the country, but many people may not know the history and symbolism behind it. This flag on display in our museum has its own unique story.

During the Gulf War in 1991, the donor took this flag overseas and flew it in a maintenance hangar while deployed to Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia from September to December of that year. Upon returning home, the flag was also flown from the pilot hatch of a 747 jet as it taxied on the runway at Holloman Air Force Base.

The flag itself reflects New Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Its colors, red and yellow, traced back to the historic Spanish Cross of Burgundy flag used during Spain’s presence in the New World. At the center is the Zia sun symbol, which originated with the Zia Pueblo and holds deep spiritual meaning.

The Zia symbol represents the sacred number four: the four directions, four seasons, four times of day, and four stages of life. The symbol was incorporated into the New Mexico state flag in 1925 and has since become an enduring representation of unity, balance, and friendship among cultures.

Artifacts like this help preserve the stories that connect New Mexico history, military service, and local community heritage. We invite you to stop by the museum to see this flag in person and explore more of the stories preserved in our collections

🏺 Nestled in the Tularosa Basin is the historic tradition of La Luz Pottery, a craft that reflects the artistry, skill, ...
05/13/2026

🏺 Nestled in the Tularosa Basin is the historic tradition of La Luz Pottery, a craft that reflects the artistry, skill, and heritage of southern New Mexico.

Today, that legacy is still alive and accessible through the Tularosa Basin Museum of History, where visitors can explore the history of local pottery and experience it firsthand.

We are proud to offer guided tours of the La Luz Pottery site, along with hands-on pottery classes that give guests the opportunity to connect directly with this important part of our region’s cultural history. Whether you’re learning about the kiln-fired traditions of the past or trying your hand at shaping clay yourself, it’s a chance to experience history in a truly tangible way.

La Luz Pottery is more than an exhibit; it’s a living tradition that continues to inspire creativity and preserve the story of our community.

📍 Interested in visiting or taking a class? Stop by the museum or contact us for tour and class availability.

💭 Have you ever visited La Luz Pottery or taken a pottery class there? We’d love to hear about your experience!

🏛️ Exhibit of the Month: Miami Street LegacyThis month, the Tularosa Basin Museum of History is proud to feature Miami S...
05/13/2026

🏛️ Exhibit of the Month: Miami Street Legacy

This month, the Tularosa Basin Museum of History is proud to feature Miami Street Legacy, an exhibit celebrating the rich history of Alamogordo’s historic Miami Street community.

Through photographs, artifacts, and personal stories, the exhibit highlights the families, businesses, and everyday life that helped shape the neighborhood and the city around it. More than a collection of historic items, Miami Street Legacy honors a community built on resilience, culture, connection, and generations of shared experiences.

Neighborhoods like Miami Street are an important part of local history because they tell the stories of everyday people; their work, traditions, friendships, celebrations, and contributions to the growth of Alamogordo. These histories help us better understand the people and communities that continue to influence the city today.

At the museum, we believe preserving local history means preserving these stories and ensuring future generations can learn from and connect with them.

We invite you to visit the museum this month to experience Miami Street Legacy and explore this important chapter of Alamogordo’s history

🍻 A historic corner with stories to tell.Pictured here is the Plaza Bar, circa 1950, located at the corner of White Sand...
04/29/2026

🍻 A historic corner with stories to tell.

Pictured here is the Plaza Bar, circa 1950, located at the corner of White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street in Alamogordo. In its day, it was more than simply a business; it was a familiar gathering place where neighbors met, conversations were shared, friendships were formed, and the rhythms of everyday community life unfolded.

Places like the Plaza Bar are an important part of local history. While major events often fill history books, the true spirit of a town can often be found in the places where people spent their time, celebrated milestones, relaxed after work, and connected with one another. Buildings like this hold the memories of countless ordinary moments that together helped shape the story of Alamogordo.

As the years passed, the city continued to grow and change, but this historic structure remained an important part of the landscape. Today, the building has been beautifully restored and given new life as the home of the Tularosa Basin Museum of History.

Now, where laughter and conversation once filled the rooms, the stories of the entire Tularosa Basin are preserved and shared through exhibits, photographs, artifacts, and community memories. It is a fitting continuation of the building’s legacy as a place where people gather and history is kept alive.

If you haven’t visited yet, we invite you to step inside, explore the past, and discover the many stories connected to our region.

💭 Do you remember the Plaza Bar, or have family stories tied to this corner of town? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

✈️ What a weekend to remember.The 2026 Legacy of Liberty Air Show at Holloman Air Force Base brought the sky to life wit...
04/22/2026

✈️ What a weekend to remember.

The 2026 Legacy of Liberty Air Show at Holloman Air Force Base brought the sky to life with unforgettable performances, powerful aircraft, and a shared love for aviation.

From the roar of jet engines to the precision of every maneuver, moments like these don’t just entertain, they spark curiosity. What makes these aircraft fly the way they do? How has aviation evolved to reach this level of performance? And what stories exist behind the pilots, engineers, and missions that make it all possible?

That’s where we come in.

Here at the museum, we dive deeper into the history behind what you saw in the sky this weekend. From early flight to modern military aviation, our exhibits connect those high-speed moments to the innovation and people that made them possible.

If the air show left you wanting to learn more, we invite you to stop by and explore. There’s always more to discover just beyond the runway.

📸 Were you there? Drop your favorite photos below, we may feature a few in an upcoming post!
👀 And tell us: what was your favorite part of the show?

04/15/2026

Step inside Tularosa Basin Museum of History and take a closer look at the stories that shaped the area. Exhibits, artifacts, and photographs bring the rich history of the basin to life. It’s a meaningful stop that adds depth to your visit.

📸: Tularosa Basin Museum of History

🌊 Welcome home!After an incredible journey around the Moon, the crew of Artemis II has safely returned to Earth marking ...
04/15/2026

🌊 Welcome home!

After an incredible journey around the Moon, the crew of Artemis II has safely returned to Earth marking humanity’s first crewed mission beyond the Moon since the era of the Apollo program more than 50 years ago.

From launch to splashdown, NASA has once again demonstrated what’s possible through innovation, precision, and determination. This mission tested the Orion spacecraft and critical deep-space systems, proving they are ready to carry astronauts farther than ever before.

But this moment is about more than a successful return, it’s about what comes next. Artemis II is a major step toward sustained missions on the Moon, new scientific discoveries, and eventually, human exploration of Mars.

It’s also a reminder that every mission builds on the ones that came before. The achievements of the past made this journey possible, and today’s success is shaping the future of space exploration in real time.

Here at the museum, we work to preserve the legacy behind milestones like this. From the earliest days of flight to the breakthroughs that carried humanity beyond Earth. The return of Artemis II is the latest chapter in that ongoing story.

🌕 Did you follow the mission? What moment stood out to you most?

04/08/2026

Step into local history at Tularosa Basin Museum of History 📚✨
Located at 1004 N White Sands Blvd in Alamogordo, this community gem is filled with fascinating artifacts, photographs, and stories that bring the rich heritage of the Tularosa Basin to life.
Whether you’re a history lover or just looking for something unique to explore, it’s definitely worth a visit—stop by and discover the past right here in our community!

On April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT, Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center sending astronauts on a journey around...
04/08/2026

On April 1, 2026, at 6:35 p.m. EDT, Artemis II launched from Kennedy Space Center sending astronauts on a journey around the Moon for the first time since the era of the Apollo program more than 50 years ago.

With this mission, NASA takes a major step forward in returning humans to deep space. Artemis II is the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft, traveling thousands of miles beyond the Moon and back, testing the systems that will shape the future of exploration.

This isn’t just a milestone; it’s the continuation of a story that began decades ago. The same spirit that carried humanity to the Moon is alive again today, pushing us toward new discoveries, sustained lunar missions, and eventually, Mars.

Moments like this remind us that history isn’t something distant, it’s happening right now in our lifetime, and you can track it live!

Here at the museum, we preserve the legacy of those earlier missions; the innovation, the risks, and the breakthroughs that made today possible. Artemis II is the next chapter in that journey.

Lots of NASA this week!

🌕 Did you watch the launch? What were your thoughts seeing humans return to deep space? Would you do it?

✈️ Did you see something… unusual in the sky this week?If you caught a glimpse of a massive aircraft with a rounded, alm...
04/08/2026

✈️ Did you see something… unusual in the sky this week?

If you caught a glimpse of a massive aircraft with a rounded, almost “bubble-like” top flying over town, or almost beluga whale like appearance, you weren’t imagining it. That was NASA’s famous “Space Guppy” passing through our skies!

The Aero Space lines Super Guppy is one of the most unique aircraft ever built. Designed to carry oversized cargo, it transports massive components, like parts of spacecraft, that simply won’t fit inside traditional planes. Its distinctive shape isn’t just for looks; that expanded fuselage is what makes its incredible missions possible.

Originally developed in the 1960s, the Super Guppy has supported decades of innovation. It played a role in transporting components during the era of the Apollo program and continues to assist NASA today, moving critical hardware between facilities across the country.

Moments like this are a reminder that the story of aviation and space exploration isn’t just something found in textbooks, it’s still happening all around us.

Here at the museum, we preserve and share pieces of that story every day. From the evolution of aircraft design to the technologies that made space travel possible, these innovations are closer to home than you might think.

👀 Did you catch it flying over?
📸 If you snapped a photo or video, we’d love to see it! Feel free to share in the comments!

If this sighting sparked your curiosity, we invite you to stop by and explore the history behind moments just like this.

Address

1004 N White Sands Boulevard
Alamogordo, NM
88310

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(575) 434-4438

Website

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