Pioneer Room Here you will find photographs of Aztec’s past, including old photos of some of the 78 buildings that are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will also find pioneer family photos, school class pictures, early businesses, townspeople, and scenes of Aztec from around the turn of the 20th century. There are many objects displayed that were once in common use, but are now rare and almost forgotten. Included in this room is a collection of beautiful china, crystal and glass dishes, and Hummel figurines. In the large showcase on the west wall is a collection of pioneer items including cameras, eyeglasses, cookbooks, and early trade items. Presiding over all is a Great Horned Owl. Note the old radios, treadle sewing machine, sheet music, phonograph, and Edison phonograph cylinders. The pump organ is from the Methodist Church.

Telephone Room Down the hall is a room filled with telephone equipment, antique and late model phones. The Telephone Pioneers of America set up this exhibit in the museum. Notice the cedar post with attached insulators. These were use to carry the lines from Aztec to Cedar Hill, 14 miles to the north. Note the collection of directories dating from 1928.

Lobato Room This is a large collection of minerals, fossils and rocks. Beautiful seashells from the oceans of the world are on display. Wool shearing and processing equipment as well as miners’ tools and cowboy items are located in the lower sections of the cases. Other items on exhibit are old glass items, pieces of leaf mail from Spanish armor, an assortment of small animals and several collections of prehistoric American Indian artifacts.

Indian Room At the end of the Lobato Room is a small room filled with Indian artifacts and crafts. In the large case are beautiful Navajo rugs, silver jewelry, clay toys, cradleboards and woven items from Chimayo. In the other cases are examples of prehistoric pottery left by the Anasazi or Ancestral Puebloan people.

Barbershop These barber chairs, shoeshine stand and other furnishings came from Ray Current’s shop, which was in operation on Main Avenue from 1903 until 1968. Not everyone had baths in their homes at the turn of the century and many came to places like Mr. Current’s to take a hot bath.

Office and Clock Room This is a collection of manual typewriters, cash registers, mimeograph machines, calculators, and other office equipment. The safe is from the First National Bank of Aztec. The olive green desk and chair were used in the Aztec D&RGW Depot. The clocks were collected by Porter and Bessie Smith, an Aztec Pioneer Family.

Clothing Room To the left are wedding gowns from the turn of the century. The shelf holds high top shoes, a bustle, a corset and corset bag. To the right are two 1900s waists and 1920s dresses. To the right are high button shoes, buttonhooks, theater glasses, hair receiver and gloves. The hats are from 1920 through 1940. To the right are children’s clothing and accessories. The manikin in the corner is wearing clothing from the 20s flapper era. Dresses and hair were short, hats fit close to the head, and bathing suits showed only arms and legs. The jewelry case holds an elaborate manicure set and hair combs. On the bottom shelf is a pocket toothpick set.

Agriculture Room
During the early history of Aztec and elsewhere, almost everyone was somehow involved in farming and ranching for a living. To the right is a 1900s gasoline powered washing machine. Many of the items in the dairy exhibit are from Alfred Utton’s Dairy. He delivered milk from house to house daily. Cream and milk were always in glass bottles. Also note the butter churns cream separator, pasteurizing machine and wood crates to carry the milk bottles. A cradle scythe used to harvest grain and many other farming implements are displayed along the walls. Also take a look at the larger implements outside in the Pioneer Village.
 

ATWOOD ANNEX
Immediately out the back of the museum is the Atwood Annex. As you enter on your left is a pictorial history of the oil and gas industry of the San Juan Basin. Other exhibits include:
 

Veterans Exhibit There are uniforms and other military items from the Civil War, Spanish American War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. The case displays a gas mask, binoculars, boots, leggings, a telegraph set and ration stamps from WW II. Note the Sibley Stove on the floor that was used during the Civil War.

Home Furnishings This display is a collage of household items from around the turn of the century through the 1920’s. Does anything stir your memory? The couch and chair have been recovered with a pre Civil War coverlet made of linen and wool thread, called “linsey-woolsey” which was hand loomed.