NMHPD News:

SANTA FE — The Bataan Memorial Building’s “Red Room,” steeped in history dating back to New Mexico’s Territorial era, is being restored to its former glory with support from the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division. 

“The Red Room is a key piece of New Mexico’s state and territorial history, and we’re proud to work alongside our colleagues in other departments to restore this historic space,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Michelle Ensey. 

Earlier this year, the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and the General Services Division (GSD) began a historic rehabilitation of the Old Senate Chambers in the Bataan Memorial Building, which was originally built as New Mexico’s Territorial Capital in 1900. This room, known colloquially as the “Red Room” because of its historic red decor, housed New Mexico’s territorial legislature until it became a state in 1912. The room then served as New Mexico’s Senate chambers until 1966, when lawmakers relocated to the Roundhouse. 

As part of the project, the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (NMHPD) is reviewing the proposed plans under the provisions of the New Mexico Cultural Properties Act, which provides for the preservation, protection and enhancement of buildings, structures, sites, and objects of cultural and historical significance. The Cultural Properties Act provides for a consultation process between the heads of state agencies or departments and the NM State Historic Preservation Officer for projects involving state-owned properties listed in the NM State Register of Cultural Properties. The Bataan Memorial Building was listed in the State Register in late 2024 and in the National Register of Historic Places earlier this year. 

NMHPD reviews proposed plans and scopes of work to preserve, protect, and avoid or minimize harms to historic properties as laid out in the Cultural Resources section of the New Mexico Administrative Code. NMHPD generally reviews historic rehabilitation projects at the schematic design, design development, and construction drawing stages. For this project, NMHPD is working with Barbara Felix, AIA, Principal Architect for Woven Architecture, in collaboration with DFA and GSD. The project will retain the historic character-defining features of the room and sensitively update it for meetings and events. 

NMHPD is also seeking historic photographs of the Red Room, including photos of relatives who served as senators or staff in the room. Anyone interested in sharing their historic photos of the room may email nm.shpo@dca.nm.gov. 

About the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division: NMHPD manages, oversees, and coordinates historic preservation activities across the state. The division educates the public about historic preservation and protects thousands of historic and archaeological sites in New Mexico. If you have ever visited an archaeological site, stopped on the side of the road to read a historic marker, or appreciated a well-maintained historic building in your community, you have likely engaged with the work of the NMHPD.