Museum receives award from mayor

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima presented the first Mayor's Distinguished Service Award to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum for the museum's help during the battle of a fire in the Organ Mountains last June.

Miyagishima presented a plaque and a framed photograph of the blaze to Museum Director Mark Santiago during a ceremony at City Hall on Monday.

"I accept this award on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, the State of New Mexico and the museum," said Santiago. "We are blessed to have a facility like this and we are glad for the opportunity to help our neighbors."

After a fire broke out in the nearby Organ Mountains on June 15, the Bureau of Land Management approached the museum about possibly housing firefighters who were being brought in to battle the blaze. The museum's size, its facilities and its proximity to the fire made it an ideal location for headquarters.

Museum staff members enthusiastically made arrangements to host dozens of firefighters, who were given full use of the main building. A large banquet room was converted into a place for them to sleep and they were able to use the kitchen and showers. Tables and chairs were set up for them in the courtyard and the museum's theater was used for staff and press briefings. The BLM also was provided internet access for their mobile data center. The catering service at the museum, Dickerson's Catering, provided meals for the firefighters.

The crews spent five days at the museum until the blaze was brought under control.

The museum was nominated for the award by Las Cruces Mayor Pro-Tem Dolores Archuleta.