Las Cruces, NM – “Visit Our Ancestors” Cemetery Tours organized by the Branigan Cultural Center are designed to increase awareness of various cultures, traditions, and history of the people who settled our region. Next up in the series will be a program on “Roadside Memorials” on July 11th to be held inside the Cultural Center to beat the heat.

Roadside memorials are the crosses and mementos you see along our highways. They serve as a reminder of a lost loved one, often marking the location of a fatal accident. The tradition goes back to the Spanish colonial period in New Mexico where simple wood crosses were placed at crossroads leading to grave sites. In 1929 Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by roadside memorials for her series of crosses. The series reflects the intense spirituality and wonder the artist associated with the Southwest.

In addition, information on the County Cemetery on East Griggs Street will be presented. Over 150 individuals are buried at this site. Often overlooked, it has recently been cleaned and simple white crosses have been erected to mark many of the graves.

The Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main Street, is located at the north end of the Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. The program is free and open to the public. Galleries are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information contact the Branigan Cultural Center at (575) 541-2154 or visit the Center’s web site at www.las-cruces.org/museums

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