Justin Riner
NMDCA News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico History Museum and the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library have selected Justin Riner as the 2025 recipient of the Steve Wimmer Historical Research Fund. Riner will study the connections between Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt and the history, conservation, and promotion of New Mexico between 1899-1916.
Riner is a middle school teacher in Pasadena, Calif., and an independent history researcher who has done extensive work on Theodore Roosevelt. Several archival collections will aid his research, including the National Monument Proclamations and Rough Riders and Association collections, as well as maps, articles, and other resources.
“I’m so excited and grateful to be this year’s recipient of the Wimmer grant, a prize that honors the legacy of a man who inspired so many travelers to explore the history, beauty, and thriving charm of Santa Fe,” Riner said. “The grant offers me the ability to work with the museum’s talented staff and fascinating archives to explore the relationship between the region and one of our country’s most exciting and enduring figures. This is an opportunity to learn and research which I wouldn’t have had access to without the grant, and I aim to make the most of it.”
The Steve Wimmer Southwest Historical Research Fund was established in 2021 to honor the memory of Steve Wimmer and his enthusiasm for New Mexico history and cultural tourism. Wimmer was La Fonda on the Plaza’s head concierge, and he spent 26 years enthusiastically helping visitors feel at home in the Land of Enchantment.
The Research Fund supports library digitization efforts and collection purchases, but it primarily targets researchers studying New Mexico history between 1879 and 1949. Recipients stay at La Fonda on the Plaza in the heart of downtown Santa Fe to experience the culture and community Wimmer loved.
Wimmer researchers are provided with a $1,500 stipend and spend up to a week in Santa Fe at La Fonda, conducting research at the museum’s library and enjoying tours and museum visits around town. In return, the grantee delivers a presentation and writes an article for El Palacio or New Mexico Magazine based on their research.
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. For more information, visit nmhistorymuseum.org.