The museum (2000 Mountain Rd. NW, 505/243-7255, www.cabq.gov/museum [1], 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sun., $4) has a permanent collection varying from a few choice Taos Society of Artists members (compare Ernest L. Blumenschein’s Star Road and White Sun with Acoma Legend with a painting by his wife, Mary Greene Blumenschein, which use similar colors and allegorical techniques but very different styles) to contemporary work by the likes of Nick Abdalla, whose sensual imagery makes Georgia O’Keeffe’s flower paintings look positively literal.
The history wing covers four centuries, with emphasis on Spanish military trappings, Mexican cowboys, and Albuquerque’s early railroad years.
Free guided tours run daily around the sculpture garden, or you can join the informative Old Town walking tour (11 a.m. Tues.–Sun. Mar.–Dec.).
Links:
[1] http://www.cabq.gov/museum