The stories of this place that came to be called New Mexico are as old as time itself — the stories of people, places and time emerging and becoming. How these stories have been passed down from generation to generation speaks to the profound nature of memory and the indispensable character of storytellers. It is a tradition of telling the past that continues to this day throughout the state. To formally recognize the importance of New Mexico’s Historians is to understand the value of connecting the past, present and the future for posterity.
The role of the New Mexico Historian has indeed figured prominently into the historiography of New Mexico and New Mexico historians have included a wide rage of distinguished men and women over the years. Captain Gaspar Pérez de Villagrá, who accompanied Juan de Oñate in the 1598 entrada into New Mexico, published the first Euro-American history of New Mexico entitled Historia de la Nueva México in 1610.
The role of an “official historian,” was first held by J. Francisco Chávez. A Territorial Legislator and Congressional Delegate, Chávez occupied the position in the first years of the twentieth century holding the title “Territorial Historian.”
Within the State Records Center and Archives, the Division of Historical Services was established on January 1, 1971 to provide services, formerly carried out by the Archives Division. The separation of activities was necessitated by the increased demand for historical services by state agencies and elected officials. Historical services included the interpretation of historical documents, expert testimony, the presentation of factual information on the history of New Mexico, and consultation and/or review of historical articles published by state agencies. Nine months later, Historical Services and Archival Services were combined.
Rob Martinez accepted the position of State Historian in 2019 and continues to proudly serve to this day.
