The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center is located in the unique Moore-Ward cobblestone house. Exhibits in the main house focus on local and area history, featuring photographs, Native American artifacts, farm and ranch displays, and a hands-on children's room with hats and clothes to try on. The Art Annex gallery next door features rotating exhibits such as local art shows, traveling exhibits and temporary in-house displays. The museum offers special programs by arrangement and extensive outreach services as well. Mission Statement: To collect, preserve, and display objects and information relating to local and area history, and to make this history as accessible as possible to the visiting public.

Museum History

The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center first opened its doors in 1970, thanks to the generosity of the S.S. Ward estate in providing the quarters and the City of Artesia in providing financial support. Today, the museum's excellent and varied collections attest to the community's generosity and commitment to preserving our heritage. The museum's growth and expansion has continued with the supportive backing of the City of Artesia.

By 1982, a need for greater financial flexibility had arisen, and the Museum's Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization so that those who wish to make a financial gift directly to the museum can do so with the knowledge that the gift will be administered by a permanent foundation. Gifts to the foundation are used to sponsor many of the museum's events such as the annual Living Treasures Awards Ceremony, the Russell Floore Memorial Art Show, traveling exhibits, preservation projects such as our 1905 wooden Eclipse windmill and a 1951 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and other projects for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire community.

If you are interested in making a contribution towards preserving our community's heritage, please consider making a gift to the Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center Foundation.