Maria Sanchez-Tucker
NMHM News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico History Museum (NMHM) has named Maria Sanchez-Tucker deputy director, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in museums, libraries and public service organizations to the institution.
Sanchez-Tucker most recently served as director of the City of Santa Fe’s Community Services Department, where she oversaw public libraries, senior services, recreation and youth programs. The department includes three library branches, multiple recreational facilities, senior centers and youth programs, with more than 300 employees across year-round, and seasonal staff.
“Maria brings deep experience in museum leadership, public administration and community engagement,” NMHM Executive Director Billy Garrett said. “She understands how cultural institutions serve the public, and her background managing complex organizations and major projects will strengthen the museum’s work statewide.”
As deputy director, Sanchez-Tucker will support museum operations, strategic planning and cross-departmental collaboration, and will help guide exhibitions, collections stewardship and public programs.
“I am honored to join the New Mexico History Museum,” Sanchez-Tucker said. “The museum plays a critical role in preserving and interpreting the state’s history, and I look forward to supporting its mission and public service.”
Previously, Sanchez-Tucker was library division director for the Santa Fe Public Library system, overseeing three branches and leading strategic planning, technology modernization and expanded public programming. She also spent nearly a decade with the Pueblo City-County Library District in Colorado as manager of special collections and museum services, where she directed archives, genealogy collections, digitization initiatives and museum exhibitions.
Earlier in her career, Sanchez-Tucker served as executive director of the Bessemer Historical Society in Pueblo, Colorado, raising more than $6 million to preserve and restore a historic industrial complex now designated a National Historic Landmark.
She holds a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, a master’s degree in museum science and heritage management from Texas Tech University, and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and archaeology from the University of New Mexico. Her work has been supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services and Save America’s Treasures.
About the New Mexico History Museum
The New Mexico History Museum offers a welcoming place for exploration of multifaceted views on history, dialog that bridges social and cultural divides, and reflection on the conditions needed for a more resilient, just, and sustainable future. The museum campus is located on the north side of the historic plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For more information visit nmhistorymuseum.org.