If you’ve never been to Roswell, New Mexico, you may be interested in the town’s history. The town’s space history is fascinating, but so is its cosmology, which is reflected in many museums and artifacts. Whether you’re interested in the origin of the universe or exploring Mars, Roswell has something for everyone. The city was home to the world’s largest cattle ranch, the Jingle Bob Ranch, and it’s possible to see the remnants of that legacy in downtown Roswell. In addition to the McDonald’s shaped like a spaceship, the city has murals depicting little green men and alien-shaped streetlights.
Robert H. Goddard Planetarium
A unique educational resource in rural southeastern New Mexico, the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium was built in 1969 as a wing of the Roswell Museum and Art Center. During its first 49 years, the planetarium relied on analog technology such as Kodak slide projectors and a Spitz model A4 star projector. However, since a recent upgrade, the planetarium is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
General Douglas L. McBride Military Institute
If you’re interested in history, the Roswell Commerce Group Lt. Gen. Douglas L. McBride Military Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a must-see. This museum celebrates the contributions of New Mexicans to the military during the 20th century. Exhibits in this museum include weapons, uniforms, and pictures of New Mexico military men and women who fought and died in the Second World War. Admission is free and open to the public.
Pecos Flavors Winery
While visiting Roswell, NM, you’ll want to check out the new Pecos Flavors Winery, which opened in 2004. The winery specializes in New Mexico wines and local products. The owner is originally from Roswell, and the tasting room reflects the charm of southern New Mexico farm life. You can taste some of the wine and eat at the casual, yet cozy, restaurant. Don’t miss the statue of Billy the Kid, which hangs in the tasting room.
Walker Aviation Museum
If you’re interested in the history of Roswell, New Mexico, then you must explore the Aviation Museum of the Air Force. Here, you can explore artifacts from the Air Force base, veterans, and aviation exhibits. You can even learn about Roswell’s past through a series of tours. The Aviation Museum of the Air Force is located at Roswell Municipal Airport, which means that you can take advantage of free admission on weekdays.
Roswell’s historic homes
Explore the historic homes in downtown Historic Roswell. One such home is Bulloch Hall, which was built by an early settler, Major James Stephens Bulloch. During the 1830s, Bulloch met a young man from a prominent family in New York. They later married and had a child, U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt. Eleven years later, they had another child, Eleanor Roosevelt, and lived in Barrington Hall for the next 30 years. Today, it is one of the city’s best examples of vernacular architecture and features a number of reconstructed rooms, including the slave quarters, the cookhouse, and the smokehouse.
