Explore Northern New Mexico with this Georgia O'Keeffe inspired experience.
This is a must do road trip for all first time visitors to Northern New Mexico. Please note, that this experience should only be followed Thursday-Sunday. (The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is closed Tuesday & Wednesday, and Rancho de Chimayo is closed on Monday)
Begin your day by experiencing the artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe first hand, at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Next, hop in your car to enjoy your scenic drive out to Chimayó, and stop for lunch at the historic Rancho de Chimayó. You'll also want to visit Ortega's Weaving Shop & gallery where you can still watch weavers practice this ancient art, plus Native American jewelry & pottery from the nearby pueblos. Your road trip destination is the famous Ghost Ranch, the site of O'Keeffe's home & source of inspiration for much of her work.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is dedicated to the life, art and legacy of Georgia O'Keeffe.
The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is dedicated to the artistic legacy of Georgia O'Keeffe, her life, American modernism, and public engagement. It opened on July 17, 1997, eleven years after the artist's death. It comprises multiple sites in two locations: Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Abiquiu, New Mexico. (source: Wikipedia)
Monday 10AM–5PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 10AM–5PM
Friday 10AM–5PM Saturday 10AM–5PM
Sunday 10AM–5PM
Rancho de Chimayó
It's Like Coming Home! "Mrs. J" as she is known to her customers, friends, family and staff is called a Culinary Treasure by the State of New Mexico. Born Florence Poulin in Hartford CN, she made her way to New Mexico when she married Chimayó native Arturo Jaramillo. Together in 1965 they began Rancho de Chimayó in the restored ancestral family home using recipes perfected over generations. Mrs. J became legendary for her original gastronomic creations, warm hospitality, and integral role in bringing New Mexican Cuisine into the international spotlight. She was New Mexico Restaurateur of the Year in 1987, served on the New Mexico and National Restaurant Associations boards and won the top honor from the National Restaurant Association - The Lifetime Achievement Award. Mrs. J also holds the rank of Honorary Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.
When you come, you'll more likely see her as busy as ever - managing and orchestrating the restaurant as if it were a symphony!
Don't hesitate to stop by and say "Hi" ... she'll always greet you with a smile! (source: Ranchodechimayo.com)
Monday Closed
Tuesday 11:30AM-8PM
Wednesday 1 1:30AM–8PM
Thursday 11:30AM–8PM
Friday 11:30AM–8PM
Saturday 8:30AM–8PM
Sunday 8:30AM–8PM
Ortega's Weaving Shop
Limited hours, call ahead Phone: (505) 351-4215
History
In the early 1700’s, a young man named Gabriel Ortega was among a group of settlers who came to the Northern Rio Grande Valley to settle in what is now Chimayo, New Mexico. In those days Chimayo and the surrounding area were the last frontier of New Spain. Life was difficult which meant Gabriel Ortega and his contemporaries were self-sufficient people. One of the skills needed to survive was weaving, with which they made clothes, blankets, rugs and even mattresses. Life continued much the same for Gabriel and his son Manuel, Manuel’s son Jose Gervacio and Jose Gervacio’s son Ramon. The Ortega’s wove, farmed and made do with what they had.
In 1885, a few years after Jose Ramon’s son Nicacio was born, the railroad came to nearby Espanola and things soon began to change. The American culture started to mix with the isolated Spanish and Native American cultures of Northern New Mexico. New products such as roofing, canned foods, tools, sewing machines, etc. became available for the first time. In contrast, the newcomers wanted chile rastras, Indian pottery, hand woven Chimayo blankets and other indigenous products.
In the early 1900’s, Nicacio and his wife Virginia, who was also from a weaving family, opened a general store in Chimayo. Nicacio had a loom in his store and sold his weavings along with those of his sons, relatives and friends. The demand kept growing as more people discovered Santa Fe and New Mexico.
After World War II, Nicacio’s sons, Jose Ramon and David, along with their wives Bernie and Jeanine joined their father’s business. It continued to grow. The Ortega’s hired other families to help keep up with the demand. They started to make coats, vests, purses and other apparel out of their weavings. The general store was a thing of the past and the present day Ortega’s Weaving Shop came into being.
Nicacio passed away in 1964 and Jose Ramon in 1972. David and Jeanine kept up the tradition and in the mid-1970’s were joined by their sons Andrew and Robert. In addition, David’s brother Merardo opened a shop in Old Town Albuquerque to sell the families weavings.
In the mid-1980’s, Andrew and his wife Evita opened Galería Ortega in the old home of Jose Ramon. They wanted to feature the other arts and crafts of the people of New Mexico. At Galería Ortega you will find the same respect for traditions of New Mexico with their fine selections of gifts, woodcarvings art, music, pottery, Kachinas, books, cards, T-shirts, chile and native food products and even a cup of coffee and a “bizcochito” the New Mexico state cookie. Galería Ortega is a somewhat modern version of Nicacio’s general store, complete with Andrew’s looms and the weavings of Andrew, his father David and Andrew’s children Katherine and Paul the eighth generation of Ortega weavers.
Since David’s retirement, Robert has taken over the reins of Ortega’s Weaving Shop. In Nicacio’s old loom room at the shop you can still see weavers ply their ancient craft. The showroom features beautiful Indian jewelry and pottery from nearby pueblos, alongside displays of world-renowned Ortega blankets, coats, rugs, vests, purses and cushions, all hand-woven in fine wool in the “tradition of Gabriel Ortega.”
(Source, https://ortegasweaving.com/)
Hours: Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10AM–4PM
Thursday 10AM–4PM
Friday 10AM–4PM
Saturday 10AM–4PM
Sunday Closed
Ghost Ranch
two museums I hiking trails I horseback rides I paleontology tours I Georgia O'Keeffe Landscape tour I high and low ropes courses I archery I classes I workshops I retreats I day passes I extended stay I find out more
Ghost Ranch is a 21,000-acre retreat and education center located close to the village of Abiquiú in Rio Arriba County in north central New Mexico, United States. It was the home and studio of Georgia O'Keeffe, as well as the subject of many of her paintings.
Monday 9AM–4PM
Tuesday 9AM–4PM
Wednesday 9AM–4PM
Thursday 9AM–4PM
Friday 9AM–4PM
Saturday 9AM–4PM
Sunday 9AM–4PM
PS: Share this Experience with your friends & family on Social Media, or with a text/email link. Choose an option below.