For more than 100 years,just the name of the
legendary Alvarado Hotel has rekindled memories for those
who remember it in all its grandeur, and captured the
imagination of those who seek a touchstone to
Albuquerque’s past.
From the moment it opened in May, 1902 the Alvarado was
a destination for travelers from Los Angeles to Topeka,
a publicity stop for celebrities and headline material for
newspaper reporters. Owned by the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe Railway and leased by the Fred Harvey Company,
the hotel and adjacent railroad station were designed by
architect Charles F. Whittlesey and renovated by Fred Harvey
designer and architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter.
The Alvarado Hotel provided a veritable oasis for rail
passengers and a showcase for Native American artists and
craftspeople. At the Indian Building travelers obtained exotic
souvenirs of their journeys and were able to interact with
native peoples, building bridges between cultures.
Rail travel was in its heyday, and Fred Harvey was a pioneer
in the hospitality industry. Whether passengers were only
grabbing a quick lunch before re-boarding the train or staying
for an extended period of time, they were served well amidst
beautiful and impressive surroundings.
Air travel, highways and changing popular culture heralded
the end of this era, and the series of events leading up to the
eventual demolition of the Alvarado in February 1970 were
emotional for many. The city could not meet the railroad’s
price to save the property, and the structure itself had
seriously deteriorated. From Topeka to Albuquerque to
Los Angeles, people mourned the loss of a significant
Southwestern landmark.
This exhibition will bring together the details of the
Alvarado Hotel’s architectural history, renovation sequences
and furnishings, and repopulate it with the memories of
employees, residents, celebrities and guests. Supported by
artifacts, photographs and interviews, The Museum seeks
to recall the Alvarado Hotel in a way that time and demolition
cannot erase.
Deb Slaney, Curator of History, views this as “... an
opportunity to ‘re-create’ the hotel in a way that can make
it come alive. There are some incredibly engaging stories for
visitors to be drawn into.” Although it has taken years to
assemble the exhibition, Slaney notes that the community
has been extremely generous with their collections.
“One thing I’ve learned is that our city remains sentimental
about the Alvarado Hotel, even after 39 years,” she states. “Albuquerque has a passion for the past that refuses to
disappear with time. I hope that through this exhibit,
we can once more experience the fun of ‘meeting at the
Alvarado’ and reflect on the memories its spaces helped
to create.”
A number of major Southwestern Museums are contributing,
including the Heard Museum and the Museum of
International Folk Art, as well as the Burlington Northern
and Santa Fe Railway.
