What’s Happening at El Zaguán
El Zaguán’s Portion of the Canyon Road Community Ditch
From 1890 to the late 1940s, the Canyon Road Community Ditch flowed through our garden. This historic acequia diverted water from the Santa Fe River at a point slightly upstream from the current Palace Avenue bridge, and was routed parallel to and north of Canyon Road, passing behind the row of what were (at that time) houses fronting the street. After passing the rear of El Zaguán, the acequia took an abrupt left turn toward the north edge of Canyon Road before traveling west and emptying back into the river at what is now Paseo de Peralta. It is this small north-south portion of stone-lined ditch which is still visible in our garden, and which our visitors pass over as they step off the west portal into the garden. This interpretive exhibit is a reminder of Canyon Road’s agricultural roots and of the historic acequia culture of water resource management in Santa Fe and throughout northern New Mexico.
Watch the video below to learn more about acequia culture in New Mexico from BC Rimbeaux, Mayordomo of Acequia de la Muralla– one of the last functioning acequias in Santa Fe.
ACEQUIA DE LA MURALLA IN SANTA FE - A TOUR WITH BC RIMBEAUX • VIDEOGRAPHY BY KYLE MAIER OF KAMIO MEDIA
El Zaguán Master Plan and Capital Campaign
The Foundation’s initiative to undertake the El Zaguán Master Plan was timely. The mission of the organization (to preserve, protect and promote the historic properties and diverse cultural heritage of the Santa Fe area) has shifted in recent years to move away from a strategy of ownership and management of historic properties to a priority of educating the public on the importance and benefits of historic preservation through events, publications and internships, and the utilization of preservation easements to protect important properties. El Zaguán now takes on more importance as the signature asset remaining in HSFF’s portfolio of historic properties, serving as the home for the Foundation, and the primary venue for receiving the public and inspiring them about historic preservation. Furthermore, El Zaguán is arguably one of the most important historic structures in Santa Fe, with its period of significance spanning from the early Territorial period of the 1850s of merchant James L. Johnson through the ownership by James Baca and Bronson Cutting to the purchase by Margretta Dietrich in 1927, including the renovations and additions by the important designer Kate Chapman. This is a very rich history to share with the public. And for Historic Santa Fe Foundation to best accomplish its mission, the building and grounds must put best face forward. Donate to the El Zaguán Capital Campaign.
