The doors of the newly created New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe will open to the public for the first time May 24, 2009, during Memorial Day weekend. The state-of-the-art, immersive, interactive exhibition about New Mexico's complex and colorful stories will forever banish the notion of history as boring and un-engaging.

The museum's multi-media environment explores the early history of indigenous people, 400 years of Spanish colonization, the Mexican Period, and travel and commerce on the Santa Fe Trail. The exhibition also details the flourishing of New Mexico's world-renowned arts communities and the coming of the Atomic Age.

"The New Mexico History Museum will be the starting place for the New Mexico cultural experience," says New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

The new museum is located directly behind the Palace of the Governors, the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S., right on the Santa Fe Plaza. The Palace will be incorporated into the 96,000 square foot expansion as the signature, and most important, artifact for the History Museum. In addition to the Palace, the museum complex will include the Palace Press, and the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library and Photo Archives.

Contemporary art, such as the works of Paula Castillo and Kumi Yamashita, will also be a part of the museum's permanent collection.

Two days of events promise a festive Santa Fe welcome for the newest addition to the city's family of museums, and an auspicious beginning to the Museum of New Mexico's second 100 years.

Sunday, May 24, 2009, Noon-6:00pm

12-1 pm: Native American drumming in the Palace Courtyard.

1-3 pm: Ribbon-cutting with Dr. Frances Levine, director of the Museum, and other dignitaries.

12-6 pm: Free admission to the Museum and its exhibits.

3 pm: Lowriders outside the Palace

3 pm: Indian School Spoken Word Performance (Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros) on the Plaza

3-5:30 pm: Museum of New Mexico Press/University of New Mexico Press booksigning in the History Museum Gathering Space

4-4:25 pm: Jeff Kempo karate students' demonstration

4:30 pm: Maria Benitez/La Generacion perform on the Plaza

Monday, May 25, 10am-5pm

New Mexico History Museum Family Day

As the Grand Public Opening of the New Mexico History Museum moves into its second day, a full day of free, family activities at the Museum, in the Palace of the Governors Courtyard, and on the Santa Fe Plaza are on tap. The fun includes live music, an ice cream social, dancers, artisans, and more. Free admission to the Museum and the Palace from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

10am: Interfaith Service at St. Francis Cathedral

10 am-5 pm: Free admission to the History Museum and its exhibits

11am: Procession from the Cathedral to the Museum

(Participants in the procession to include Los Caballeros; the Santa Fe Fiesta Council, Queen and Court, Don Diego; representatives of local Native American groups; Sociedad Folklorico; representatives of historical societies; Lion Dancers)

12-4 pm: Live music, dancers, artisans and Chautauqua performers in period costumes, in the History Museum and on the Plaza

1 pm: Fashion Show in the History Museum Gathering Space

1-4 pm: Ice cream social with live music and historical photo boards to pose yourself into (bring a camera!), in the Palace of the Governors Courtyard

2:30-4 pm: "Telling New Mexico" panel discussion and booksigning in the History Museum Auditorium

In addition to free admission to the History Museum, the three other state museums in Santa Fe will also offer free admission over the Memorial Day Weekend as part of the History Museum opening celebration. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the Museum of International Folk Art will all be admission free.

For more information on the New Mexico History Museum visit www.nmhistorymuseum.org .