Time Exposures: Picturing a History of Isleta Pueblo in the 19th Century

In this exhibit, the people of Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico tell their own story — their history and the lasting effects of 19^th century changes on their lives today.

Using many historic photographs and a variety of media, the story unfolds in three parts:

• First, the people describe the cycle of the traditional year as it was observed in the mid-19^th century.
• Next, they describe the arrival of the Americans, the ways the influx disrupted the Isleta way of life, how the people fought changes and “learned to become members of America on our own terms.”
• The final part examines the historic photographs as products of white culture, exploring the underlying ideas and values of the photos and asks “what kind of record they truly represent of our people and our ways.”

Recommended reading

Here is a list of selections from the collection of the Heard Museum Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives on Isleta Pueblo and on the photographers in the exhibit. Visitors are welcome during the library’s regular hours, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, to view these or other items of interest in the library and archives collections. For more details or additional collection information, search the Online Catalog.

Download a PDF of the Recommended Reading List here.