Mission & History
The Roswell Museum inspires discovery and creativity along with cultural understanding of the American Southwest and the greater community.
History
The Roswell Museum was founded in 1935 through an agreement between the City of Roswell, Works Progress Administration (WPA), Federal Art Project (FAP), Chaves County Archaeological and Historical Society, and the Roswell Friends of Art. The Museum opened in 1937, deriving its initial support from the WPA as part of a Depression era project to promote public art centers nationwide. Today, the Roswell Museum is among a handful of these Federal Art Centers that remain in operation. In its proposed plan, the WPA established that “the root of the community art center idea is participation by the entire community in all forms of art experience…” The stated purpose of the Museum was “to serve the art needs of Roswell [through] continuously changing exhibitions in the fine and practical arts, lectures and gallery talks [music programs and an art school where classes were offered free to the public]. From the outset, the Roswell Museum established itself as a cultural and educational locus for the community. When the WPA restructured in 1941, the City of Roswell assumed control of the Museum.
Since its initial emergence, the Roswell Museum has grown into a 50,000 square foot facility that includes twelve galleries dedicated to the exhibition of art and history, the Patricia Lubben Bassett Art Education Center, and the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium. The Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is southern New Mexico’s preeminent museum, lauded for the quality of its exhibitions, programs, and collections.
Core Values
The following core values are held as the essence of the Museum and our service to a unique community of visitors:Access
We believe in creating an atmosphere of inclusion and accessibility for all people.
Connectedness
We concentrate on building bridges to the multiple communities we serve, and value opportunities for community collaboration through education, entrepreneurship, and civic enterprise.
Discovery
We strive to connect human experience, imagination, and creativity to the past, present, and future.
Diversity
We respect, represent, and value our diverse community.
History
We are a public institution that celebrates its grassroots inception and national significance by presenting a link between local, regional, and world histories.
Relevance
We expose people to a range of ideas that are meaningful to life.
Sense of Place
We help promote a sense of identity, pride, and belonging in our community.
Stewardship
We consistently work to preserve our public trust responsibilities through accountability in the stewardship of our financial assets, collections, and physical resources.
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Caroline Brooks
Executive Director
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Roswell Museum
Physical Address
1011 N. Richardson Ave.
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (575) 624-6744Fax: (575) 624-6765
Hours
Open Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed HolidaysMuseum Admission
Non-Residents, Adult (age 16+): $10
Roswell Residents, Adult (age 16+): $7
Students (age 16+): $7
Children (age 15 and under): Free
Museum Members: Free
Seniors (age 60+): $7
Active Military and Veterans: $7Combined or Group Discounts
Combined Roswell Resident Adult admission for Museum and Planetarium:$10
Combined Non-Resident Adult admission for Museum and Planetarium: $12
Groups of 10 or more with reservation: $8 per personPlanetarium Admission
Museum Members: Free
Adults (16+): $5
Children (15 and under): $3
Children (3 and under): Free
Roswell residents with ID, seniors (ages 60+) and active military with ID: $3Group Rates
Up to 30 people: $90 per show
Up to 60 people: $110 per show
Up to 96 people: $130 per show
Interactive add-ons available if requested for a group. Cost varies.Additional fees may be charged for studio art classes, lectures, planetarium programs and special events. Please call us to make a group reservation.
Non-Residents, Adult (16 and up): $10 Roswell Residents, Adult (16 and up): $7 Students (age 16 ): $7 Children (15 and under): Free Museum Members: Free Seniors (60 ) $7 Active Military and Veterans: $7
Combined or Group Discounts:
Groups of 10 or more with reservation* $8 per person
Combined Roswell Resident Adult rate for Museum and Planetarium: $10
Combined Non-Resident Adult rate for Museum and Planetarium: $12
Contact Us
Roswell Museum • 1011 N. Richardson Ave. Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: 575-624-6744 | Email