 |
| Wilson Commemorates Opening of Chaco Collection |
October 12, 2007 |
| |
Wilson-sponsored bill passed in 2004 authorizing preservation of Chaco Canyon Collection
Albuquerque, N.M. – Congresswoman Heather Wilson made opening remarks today at the unveiling of the Chaco Canyon Collection, housed at UNM’s Hibben Center for Archaeological Research. Wilson was a sponsor of the House bill that was signed into law by President Bush in 2004, giving the National Park Service authorization and funding to improve the facilities at UNM that preserve the Chaco Canyon Artifacts.
Wilson last visited the site in 2004, and viewed the artifacts as they were inadequately stored in stacks and boxes at UNM. The Hibben Center Act (PL 108-413) addressed concerns including the lack of environmental controls, leaking water pipes, and insufficient security and fire protection systems. This law allowed completion of the Hibben Center as a long-term home for the Chaco Collection of more than 1.5 million artifacts.
The Hibben Center Act authorized up to four million dollars of funding for housing and maintaining the Chaco Canyon Collection at UNM. There is a longstanding partnership dating back to the 1920s between the National Park Service and the University to preserve and study Chaco Canyon.
“Three years ago I toured the temporary storage areas in the UNM basements where these wonderful artifacts were in boxes. Shortly after that, I took my children to Chaco Canyon and spent a memorable night there, looking at the stars and learning about the Chacoan people as guests of the Park Service. Chaco Canyon is one of the great wonders of the American west. I am pleased the Chaco Collection now has a permanent home,” said Wilson.
Researchers from the University of New Mexico, the Navajo Nation, Colorado, Virginia, and the National Parks were also present at today’s grand opening.
“The goal of this event is to commemorate the opening of the new NPS facility by inviting interested community members, acknowledging assistance of and partnership with UNM and the New Mexico delegation, and providing special tours,” said Dr. Wendy Bustard, the Chaco Culture Historical Park Museum Curator.
“UNM is an important partner in working with the National Park Service to preserve, protect, and study the artifacts recovered from the area. We appreciate this show of support by Congresswoman Heather Wilson.”
For six centuries, massive prehistoric structures lay untouched in a remote area of northwestern New Mexico. Chaco Canyon was the home of many indigenous southwestern people from between A.D. 850 and 1250. The Pueblo peoples of New Mexico, the Hopi of Arizona, and the Navajo consider Chaco Canyon to be part of their ancestral homelands. In recognition of its significance, President Theodore Roosevelt designated Chaco Canyon a national monument in 1907 and Congress changed the park’s designation to a national historic park in 1980. The University of New Mexico has participated in exploring Chaco Canyon’s archeological features for many years. Chaco Canyon National Monument was founded in 1970.
For more information about today's event at the Hibben Center, click here.
- END - |
|
|
|