New Mexico, the 47th state to join the United States on January 6, 1912, boasts a captivating history intricately linked to its state capitol. President William Howard Taft officially ushered New Mexico into statehood, marking the culmination of a journey that spanned over half a century.
The path to statehood for New Mexico was a lengthy one. Established as a U.S. territory in 1850, following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which concluded the Mexican-American War two years prior, New Mexico inherited a legacy of cultural and political significance. This treaty mandated Mexico to cede its vast northern territories, encompassing present-day American Southwest and California. In 1851, Santa Fe was designated as the capital of this expansive territory, which at the time included lands that would eventually become Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Santa Fe’s distinguished history as a capital city stretches back even further to 1610. It was then that conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta established Santa Fe as the capital of the Spanish “Kingdom of New Mexico.” The Palace of the Governors, a historic landmark constructed in 1610, served as the seat of Spanish government, witnessing centuries of political and cultural evolution.
Following Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1821, Santa Fe continued its role as a vital capital. The Mexican government designated Santa Fe as the capital of the province of Nuevo Mexico, and the Palace of the Governors remained the center of governance. This continuity persisted when the U.S. declared New Mexico an American territory in 1846; the Palace became New Mexico’s first territorial capitol, solidifying Santa Fe’s enduring status as a capital city.
Santa Fe holds the esteemed title of the oldest capital city in the United States, a testament to its long and storied past. The Palace of the Governors, more than just a building, stands as the oldest continuously occupied public building in the country and currently houses the state’s renowned history museum, offering a tangible link to New Mexico’s rich heritage.
The Roundhouse: An Iconic Capitol Building
Today, the New Mexico State Capitol, affectionately known as the Roundhouse, stands as a unique architectural marvel. It is the only round capitol building in the United States, distinguishing it from all other state capitols across the nation. Constructed by Robert E. McKee and designed by W.C. Kruger, the Roundhouse is an architectural fusion, seamlessly blending elements of New Mexico Territorial style, Pueblo adobe architecture, and Greek Revival adaptations. This impressive 232,000 square-foot structure was officially dedicated on December 8, 1966, marking a new chapter in New Mexico’s political landscape.
From an aerial perspective, the Roundhouse’s circular design strikingly resembles the Zia sun symbol. This ancient symbol, also prominently featured on the New Mexico state flag, originates from the Zia Pueblo and carries profound cultural significance. The Zia symbol embodies elements representing the sun’s rays, the four cardinal directions, the four seasons of the year, and the four stages of life, deeply connecting the capitol building to the state’s indigenous heritage. Adding to its symbolic richness, the State Seal of New Mexico, meticulously carved in stone, is positioned above each of the Roundhouse’s four entrance wings, reinforcing the building’s official status and state identity.
The Roundhouse is a four-story structure, which includes a subterranean level. At its heart lies a central interior Rotunda, an architectural highlight that soars 60 feet through the top three stories of the building. The Rotunda’s interior design showcases exquisite New Mexico Travertine marble, further enhanced by a turquoise and brass mosaic depicting the New Mexico State Seal. Above, the ceiling skylight, crafted from stained glass, is patterned after a Native American basket weave, symbolizing the interconnectedness of the sky and the earth, and adding another layer of cultural depth to the capitol’s design.
The Governor’s Gallery, a notable space located on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse, was established by Clare Apodaca, New Mexico’s First Lady from 1975 to 1978. This gallery functions as an outreach facility of both the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Department of Cultural Affairs. It hosts approximately six exhibitions annually, including the prestigious Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, contributing to the state’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
Sculpture in the Governor's Gallery at the New Mexico State Capitol
Further enriching the capitol’s cultural significance is the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection. Established in 1991 by the New Mexico Legislature with the founding of the Capitol Art Foundation, this extensive collection comprises nearly 600 artworks. These pieces are thoughtfully displayed throughout the interior public spaces of the State Capitol Complex, extending onto the Capitol grounds, making art accessible to all who visit. The collection encompasses a diverse range of artistic mediums, including paintings, photography, works on paper, sculptures, mixed media, textiles, ceramics, glass works, and even furniture. Representing over 600 New Mexico artists, the collection serves as a powerful showcase of the state’s artistic talent and is currently valued at over $5.6 million.
The Clay Buchanan Memorial Gardens, encompassing 6.5 acres surrounding the Roundhouse, offer a tranquil outdoor space. These gardens display a diverse array of flora, including majestic sequoias, Russian olive trees, roses, and over 100 other species of New Mexico plants. Interspersed within the greenery are abstract and figurative sculptures from the Capitol Art Collection, creating a harmonious blend of art and nature.
For those interested in learning more, guided tours of the New Mexico State Capitol are available by appointment. To arrange a tour, please call (505) 986-4589 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Visitors are also welcome to explore the capitol at their own pace with self-guided tours, available anytime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, allowing ample opportunity to discover the Roundhouse and its treasures.
New Mexico State Government at the Capitol
Mirroring the federal government structure, New Mexico’s state government operates with three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The New Mexico Legislature, housed within the State Capitol, is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives with 70 members serving two-year terms, and the Senate, with 42 members serving four-year terms.
The governor, the head of the executive branch, serves a four-year term. Currently, the governor of New Mexico is Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was elected in 2018 and leads the state from the capitol. The New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe serves as the central hub for all these governmental functions, making it not only a historical and architectural landmark but also the living, breathing center of New Mexico’s state government.
