Women IN ART
Palace of the Governors By Joseph Burgess
Lou Ann Shurbet is the educator who gives meaning to the priceless treasures found at the Palace of the Governors. She enhances the historic adventure known as New Mexico through the docent educators under her direction. Lou Ann has the personal strength, background and warmth to make a walk through the museum a most colorful and memorable experience. She directs Palace programs, tours, lectures and Christmas at the Palace. The Palace of the Governors was built by the seventeenth century Spanish colonists, and is the oldest public building in the nation. It served Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy, and the United States. It survived the 1680 Pueblo Indian Revolt, the Mexican War and Confederate occupation. Working with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the White House initiated an effort to "Save America’s Treasures," with Hillary Rodham Clinton serving as the Honorary Chair. The focus in Santa Fe is the Segesser Hide Paintings and the Palace of the Governors itself. The Hide paintings were completed in the eighteenth century, recording two events on bison hides. One depicts an attack on an Apache village. The other illustrates the ambush of the Villasur expedition, a group of Spaniards and Pueblo Indians sent from Santa Fe to search for French intruders in the Spanish Empire. The two hide paintings can be viewed at the Palace of the Governors. Palace of the Governors is located at 105 W. Palace in Santa Fe. 505-476-5100. (Top row, left to right) First Lady (U.S. Senator) Hillary Clinton is greeted by Lou Ann Shurbet, Museum Educator, at the Palace of the Governors, the nation’s oldest public building. Spanish artifacts are displayed throughout the museum. A solid wooden wheeled ox cart is on display in one of the Palace galleries. A metal breastplate and helmet are evidence of Spain’s military presence.
(Middle) Printing presses are maintained by the museum in working condition and frequently used for demonstrations. (Bottom, left) A life-sized madonna occupies the chapel at the Palace of the Governors. (Bottom, right) The courtyard of the museum is used for displays and demonstrations. Native Americans sell their crafts under the Portal daily.