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The Geronimo Springs Museum is dedicated to the history of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and the surrounding area. It’s full of interesting exhibits.

Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Geronimo Springs Museum

 

Visiting

The Geronimo Springs Museum is open daily. Adult admission is US$6 (as of April 2024). It averages around 3,000 visitors a month from across the US as well as other countries.

 

Exhibits

The Geronimo Springs Museum has a wide variety of exhibits covering all sorts of topics. First, there are authentic artifacts related to Apache and Hispanic heritage on display.

Apache heritage at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Apache heritage
Church vestments in the Hispanic heritage display
Church vestments in the Hispanic heritage display

Other exhibits are dedicated to ranching and homesteading in the area, with items dating back to the 19th century. The ranching exhibit includes hats and brands used by local ranchers.

Ranching at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Ranching

Archaeology exhibits include a mastodon skull and other prehistoric fossils as well as Native American pottery and tools.

Mastodon skull
Mastodon skull
Native American pottery at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Native American pottery

 

Wilson Room

The Wilson Room contains photographs and memorabilia from the 20th century in Truth or Consequences and Sierra County. The most important item is a teller window from the First National Bank of Hot Springs, which was chartered on June 25, 1917, by A.H. Hilton. In 1918, the bank was sold to Robert Martin, and in 1927 to Frank Winston. The branch now operates as the Bank of the Southwest in Truth or Consequences. Just beyond the Wilson Room is a display about the railroad coming to Truth or Consequences.

Wilson Room at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Wilson Room
Railroad display
Railroad display

 

Heritage Room

The Heritage Room is decorated with murals by local artist Delmas Howe (b. 1935). They portray Chiricahua Apache warrior Geronimo (1829-1909), Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate (1550-1626), American writer Eugene Manlove Rhodes (1869-1934), and Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa (1878-1923). Bronze sculptures of the same figures surround a fountain in the center of the room. They were made by New Mexico native Hivana Leyendecker.

Heritage Room
Heritage Room

The Heritage Room once served as the New Zealand Bar. A corner of the room is dedicated to the bar, with an original mural included. It pays homage to the Old West history of the town.

New Zealand Bar
New Zealand Bar

 

Ralph Edwards Room

Perhaps the most interesting room in the Geronimo Springs Museum is the Ralph Edwards Room. It tells the story of how the town got its name and displays colorful costumes, photographs, and memorabilia.

Ralph Edwards Room at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Ralph Edwards Room

In March 1950, Ralph Edwards (1913-2005), the host of the popular NBC Radio show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air his 10th anniversary show from the first town to name itself after the show. Many towns responded, but the town of Hot Springs, New Mexico, stood out from the rest.

Ralph Edwards Room at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Ralph Edwards Room

The show’s producer, Ed Bailey, went to Hot Springs to discuss details with Mayor Glen Mims and State Senator Burton Roach. The city council unanimously decided to call a special election two weeks later. On March 31, 1950, citizens voted 1294 to 295 in favor of the name change, and Hot Springs officially became Truth or Consequences. The show was broadcast from there the next evening, and Edwards led a parade two miles long to celebrate the event. Around 10,000 people lined the route.

Ralph Edwards Room
Ralph Edwards Room

Edwards visited Truth or Consequences the first weekend of May every year for the next 50 years to host an annual event that became known as the Fiesta. It came to include a beauty pageant, parade, stage show, and other events. Memorabilia from Fiestas over the years are on display, as well as This Is Your Life events in town. The Fiesta is still held every May.

Fiesta photos and memorabilia
Fiesta photos and memorabilia
This Is Your Life display
This Is Your Life display

 

Outdoor Exhibits

Outside the museum are more exhibits, including farm equipment and an authentic windmill. There’s also the Hardcastle Cabin, which was built in the 1930s and stood in the nearby Black Range Mountains. It was disassembled and moved next to the museum in the 1990s. The cabin is decorated with authentic items that would have been used inside.

Hardcastle Cabin
Hardcastle Cabin
Hardcastle Cabin at the Geronimo Springs Museum in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
Hardcastle Cabin

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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