Western New Mexico University began in the late 1800s as a "Normal School" - that is what they called schools where teachers were trained. It eventually evolved into a full fledged teachers college and now a university. The museum is in Fleming Hall which was built as gymnasium with locker rooms and classrooms on the lower levels. After the hour long drive into Silver City, I went the men's room and saw these most unusual urinals - unique enough to have a sign about them.
Fleming Hall is built on the side of a hill. From the street side, you enter into what was the gymnasium but which is really the third floor. The staff gave us a brief history and pointed out that the gym still has the original wood floor, albeit recently refinished. Around the gym, they have much of the Native American pottery collected from area archeological digs done by the university.
They had many artifacts from the university's beginnings as a "Normal School."
Up one floor, the gym had a walkway around the outer wall - this is where spectators stood to watch the basketball games in the gymnasium. On the gym floor were many display cases of pottery found in the archeological digs.
They has a horse drawn carriage and information about the founder of Silver City.
In one of the archeological digs, they found many large pots - there was much discussion about whether the pots were used to brew beer or make wine.
Here is a nice view from where the spectators used to stand to watch the basketball games - the stairwell was added when the building was converted to the museum.
There was a display recognizing women students in non-traditional activities - in this case, racing.
There was both very artistic and creative pottery done by adults, but some also done by children.
There were several rooms that had been classrooms but which now had different exhibits. The New Mexico state flower is the Yucca - and they had many things made from the yucca plants.
In another room, one of the displays included silver dollars from the various Indian Nations.
Going down to lowest level, there was not much open to the public except for these two phonographs.
On my way back upstairs, I stopped again in the science classroom to get a perspective on what it was like to teach and learn 100+ years ago.
In another room, the cabinets used to display the pottery were themselves antiques.
WNMU Museum was most interesting and educational - well worth the time for a visit.
Fleming Hall is built on the side of a hill. From the street side, you enter into what was the gymnasium but which is really the third floor. The staff gave us a brief history and pointed out that the gym still has the original wood floor, albeit recently refinished. Around the gym, they have much of the Native American pottery collected from area archeological digs done by the university.
Reminding me of our recent trip to France, there was this four foot tall statue of Napoleon.
They had many artifacts from the university's beginnings as a "Normal School."
Up one floor, the gym had a walkway around the outer wall - this is where spectators stood to watch the basketball games in the gymnasium. On the gym floor were many display cases of pottery found in the archeological digs.
They has a horse drawn carriage and information about the founder of Silver City.
In one of the archeological digs, they found many large pots - there was much discussion about whether the pots were used to brew beer or make wine.
Here is a nice view from where the spectators used to stand to watch the basketball games - the stairwell was added when the building was converted to the museum.
There was a display recognizing women students in non-traditional activities - in this case, racing.
Going down one floor from the gym, there was a nice science classroom.
There were several rooms that had been classrooms but which now had different exhibits. The New Mexico state flower is the Yucca - and they had many things made from the yucca plants.
In another room, one of the displays included silver dollars from the various Indian Nations.
Going down to lowest level, there was not much open to the public except for these two phonographs.
On my way back upstairs, I stopped again in the science classroom to get a perspective on what it was like to teach and learn 100+ years ago.
In another room, the cabinets used to display the pottery were themselves antiques.
WNMU Museum was most interesting and educational - well worth the time for a visit.
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