Show All Answers

1. How can I get copies of Museum photographs?

All image use requests are evaluated on a per-case basis. Please submit your request to the Museum in writing, using letterhead stationery if you are a business or organization. Please be specific about what your intended use for the image(s) is, what format you prefer, and what your time frame is. Don't forget your contact information too! After your request is received, the Museum Manager will contact you about your request and we will go from there.

2. I need research assistance or some historical information--what do I do?

Contact the Museum--either in person, on the phone, through the mail, or by email (artesiamuseum@artesianm.gov) . All research/information requests are answered in the order in which we receive them, and as our time permits with our other activities. Please be aware that some requests take quite a bit of time to search out, and there may be several people whose requests are in line ahead of yours! We WILL get back to as quickly as we can, and we appreciate your patience and understanding!

3. I'm visiting and would like to see specific objects in the Museum's collection--how do I arrange this?

The Museum is glad to assist researchers, historians, authors, and genealogists in their pursuit of furthering knowledge and public awareness. Please submit a request via email at least two weeks ahead of time to schedule time in our Research Room, including purpose of research and potential outcome of research. If the research is for a publication, we would greatly appreciate receiving a copy afterwards to add to our research database. Please note that due to staffing and safety/liability constraints, some artifacts may be off-limits. At this time, we cannot accommodate visitors wishing to see artifacts that were removed from past exhibits, nor can we allow visitors into any space other than the open exhibit galleries and the Research Room.

4. I want an appraisal or to know how much my antique is worth--can you help me?

The American Alliance of Museums prohibits all museums from providing appraisals--it's considered a conflict of interest. If you need an official appraisal for insurance purposes, you will need to contact a licensed appraiser. (Look online) If you're interested in an informal value, try contacting a local auctioneer, looking for a similar item on an online auction site like eBay, or look for a similar item in an antique store and see how much it's for sale for.

5. Are you interested in buying my antique?

No, we don't have any sort of acquisition funds. Our entire collection has been donated! (Thank you, everyone!) If you have something you are interested in selling, try a local antique store, an auction house, or an online auction site like eBay.

6. I would like access to your film/oral history/microfilm collections--how do I arrange this?

PLEASE contact us to make an appointment! We can be reached by phone, email, letter, or visit. We will need to set up a research appointment for you, since we will need to get your materials ready, set up your equipment and allow staff time to assist you.

7. There is an artifact that used to be on display/that my family donated. Can I look at it?

The museum is not able to accommodate those types of requests. Once an artifact is removed from display or added to the collection, it is carefully packed in archival safe acid-free boxes, and is stored in our climate-controlled storage spaces on the museum campus. The primary concern for the museum staff is the ongoing preservation of artifacts and the historic house for future generations, followed by new exhibit development and school outreach/tour planning. We can assist researchers working on Artesia-related projects, but we cannot act as personal tour guides for people who simply wish to look at individual artifacts not presently on display.

8. I want the Museum to provide an off-site display/exhibit--how do I arrange this?

You can start by contacting us by telephone, email, letter or visit. We will need to know what sort of display or exhibit you have in mind, when you are requesting it for, and what sort of facility you have. Please bear in mind that these types of projects do take time for us to research, fabricate, and install! Also, staff availability and security will be factors in determining if we will be able to accommodate your request--but we will do everything possible to work with you!

9. Is there a published history of Artesia available?

There have been 2 histories about Artesia: "Artesia: Heart of the Pecos" by Rufus & Lela Waltrip, 1979 is out of print, but you may be able to find a copy through a book dealer or an online site. "Artesia" by Nancy Dunn & Naomi Florez is currently in print and is available locally at the B&B Newsstand or online.

10. I want to nominate someone for your Living Treasures award. How do I do this?

Please mail or email a written statement to us about who you want to nominate and why you feel they are deserving. The Museum's Foundation members select one man and one woman each year for this award, and past nominees remain on the Foundation's ballots, so you won't need to re-nominate your candidate each year.

11. Are Sallie Chisum's diary transcriptions available for purchase?

Yes they are!  Thanks to researcher Skipper Steely of Paris, Texas, Sallie's diaries and transcriptions are now available to all interested history buffs!  They are listed on Amazon.com as "Chisum Diaries and Journals: Sallie and John Chisum Memoirs Merged" by Skipper Steely, in an electronic form.  Mr. Steely is a responsible researcher and nice man--he did this project right!