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The Padre’s Coming Home – Padre Antonio Jose Martinez makes a symbolic appearance at his boyhood home (The Martinez Hacienda) during the month of September, Hispanic Heritage Month.The museum staff plans to share stages of the Padre’s life, including the exhibit Padre Antonio Jose Martinez: A Legacy of Community Action and the showcased representation of the vestments worn by the priest when he served the people of Taos from 1826 – 1856.
Dr. Jaelyn de Maria and Dr. Kathryn (Kathy) Cordova curated the exhibit which features sections devoted to Background, The Statue (referring to the bronze sculpture on Taos Plaza), Aftermath, and Contoversies.
Well-known writer Enriqueta Vasquez contributed research for the exhibit.
Martinez descendant Dr. Antonio Jose Martinez provides period-appropriate items from his personal collection including two vestments gifted to the museum by Martinez, others on long-term loan, and some clothing and books on display only for the opening.
The vestments did not belong to the priest, but they represent period appropriate clothing worn for the ceremonies. The books represent those which existed in the priest’s personal library.
During his lifetime, Padre Martinez remained well read, well educated and encouraged education for others.
Dr. de Maria, an Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, grew up in Northern New Mexico. Her work includes delving into a rich cultural history that provides an understanding of her sublect matter.
In this case, she visited the Martinez Hacienda because of the stories she heard about Padre Martinez. “This visit sparked my interest. History speaks through the adobe walls. I was impressed by how he was in his thinking, writing and the introduction of the press. Preserving his legacy is important in my journalistic mind,” said of the Associate Professor.
She views the exhibit as an opportunity to open conversation about the legacy of Padre Martinez as a historic figure, but also a view on how his legacy influenced community action today in his light and shadow.
Dr. Cordova is a retired educator (Journalism, English, Social Studies, Cultural Reporter and Education) and writer. She also served as President of the Taos Historic Musems and the chairman of the Padre Martinez Statue Committee. She greatly approves of the timing of The Padre is Coming Home event because it highlights the contributions of a local historical feature to the community for which he served.
“The Martinez Hacienda and the bronze statue of the Padre Martinez are important cultural treasures in this area. To that end, members of the Advisory Group of the Cultural Treasures Program plan to host a space in the first courtyard at the opening reception to enable the public to participate in this project,” she stated.
The Economic Recovery Corps and Taos County Economic Development spearheaded the effort to identify, catalog and honor the places, practices and people that are important to the community.
The desription of “Cultural Treasures” states that “Cultural Assets are people, groups, customs, places. The natural world and events that hold meaningful aesthetic knowledge and or historic value that established shared individual and community identity… It’s about future growth reflects and enhances who we are...”
Dr. Martinez grew up in the Padre Martinez home. In addition to his work as a E-Commerce Attorney, Martinez spent much time and effort on his passion researching history, in particular that of his own family. He recently co-authored an article with Laurence Creider for New Mexico Historical Review, Vol 99. #3, Summer 2024.
Filmmaker Paul Espinosa works towards financing and completing Searching for Padre Martinez, with some scenes already completed at the Martinez Hacienda.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
La Hacienda del los Martinez, Taos, New Mexico, United States
