A History Lover’s Guide to Albuquerque

On Sunday, November 17, 2019, Albuquerque Historical Society’s immediate Past President Roger Zimmerman presented his new book, A History Lover’s Guide to Albuquerque. This book goes beyond the traditional guidebook to offer a historical journal through an area rich with diverse cultures and their fascinating past. Major museums, libraries, ethnic centers, historical displays and special historical treasures will be discussed. It is intended that this guide will help the reader find satisfaction in either visiting or exploring topics of choice. Autographed copies of the book can be purchased online here.

A History Lover’s Guide to Albuquerque goes beyond the traditional guidebook to offer a historical journal through an area rich with diverse cultures and their fascinating past. The journey through time starts with the settlement of Native Americans in Pueblos along the Rio Grande and then initiatives by Spain to settle and Christianize the region. Mexico took over the territory in 1821 and the Old Town plaza flourished with Santa Fe Trail trade, gladly accepted the U. S. presence in 1846, and adjusted as the Confederates briefly governed in 1862. New Town Albuquerque emerged when the railroad came in 1880 and visitors will see results of significant expansion efforts. Route 66 came through the center of Albuquerque to drastically change the layout of the city. World War II and the following Cold War brought about major military and governmental development efforts that are summarized at a major national museum. Major museums, libraries, ethnic centers, historical displays and special historical treasures are discussed. It is intended that this guide will help the reader find satisfaction in either visiting or exploring topics of choice.

The program was held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town.

Roger Max Zimmerman was born at Rehoboth Mission east of Gallup, New Mexico. His early years were spent at Mariano Lake Trading Post. He graduated from high school at New Mexico Military Institute and enrolled at the University of Colorado where he received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. He taught Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado from 1959 to 1964 and at New Mexico State University from 1964 to 1979. He was then employed at Sandia National Laboratories where he worked on projects associated with the storage of nuclear waste, weapons components testing programs, and rocket systems target deployments. He retired in 2000 as a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff. Roger served as President of the Albuquerque Historical Society from 2013-2019. He has written two books: Kitchen’s Opera House, Gallup, New Mexico (2012) and A History Lover’s Guide to Albuquerque (2019).