From Dirt to Discovery

The Story of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum Garden

By Hannah Hausman

When the Santa Fe Children’s Museum opened its doors in 1985, the outdoor space on Old Pecos Trail was little more than packed earth—literal dirt. The property had once served as an active armory, housing National Guard training since the late 1930s. The original armory buildings (including the CCA and Military Museum) still stand today, preserving this historical connection. However, in 1985, the site was a blank canvas, waiting for a vision that would transform it into a vibrant space for the community.

With support from the New Mexico State Amory Board, local volunteers, and passionate community members, the museum began the monumental task of turning that dirt into something truly special. In 1989, just four years after its founding, the Children’s Museum officially opened its doors to the public. From that moment, the outdoor space began to take shape, evolving into an integral part of the museum’s mission to foster creativity, exploration, and connection to nature.

Growing up in Santa Fe, I remember the joy the Children’s Museum brought to families. It embodied the unique spirit of our city, blending education with nature in a way that felt both organic and innovative. The space quickly became a place where children could explore, learn, and connect with the world around them.

In the 1990s, as the Museum continued to grow, it made a significant commitment to sustainability by installing a rainwater harvesting system. This initiative not only helped water the garden but also became an important educational tool for teaching young children the value of water conservation. The system collects rainwater through gutters and downspouts, channeling it into a 10,000-gallon tank. Considering that Santa Fe receives an average of only 14 inches of rainfall annually, the importance of capturing and conserving every drop of water cannot be overstated.

The tank, located above ground, is integrated into the museum’s learning space, blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Overflow from the tank is directed into the garden, where it supports a gravity-fed irrigation system, keeping the soil healthy and the plants thriving. This method of water management not only reduces the museum’s water bills but also serves as a real-world example of sustainable practices.

Over the years, the garden has become a central feature of the museum. What began with a few plants has since expanded into a vibrant, 16-bed garden filled with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. During the summer months, the garden is alive with buzzing bees, tall sunflowers swaying in the breeze, and the rich aroma of homegrown vegetables. Visitors can often find staff members working alongside children to tend to the garden, demonstrating how to grow, nurture, and harvest produce.

The museum staff takes great pride in cultivating the garden, which has become a vital resource for the local community. From zucchini and tomatoes to onions and peppers, the produce grown here is shared with children and families throughout Santa Fe. The garden is more than just a beautiful space—it is a place where lessons in sustainability, ecology, and community come together.

During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum’s garden took on even greater significance. As many nonprofits faced operational hurdles, the Children’s Museum made it a priority to grow as many vegetables as possible to support local families in need. In partnership with the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps, the museum staff and a group of dedicated youth volunteers worked tirelessly to plant, nurture, and harvest produce.

The results were impressive. More than 1,400 pounds of fresh produce were distributed to families facing food insecurity during the pandemic. This effort not only helped meet immediate nutritional needs but also provided an opportunity for children to engage in meaningful work that made a difference in their community. Today, fresh produce from the museum’s garden continues to be donated to nonprofits Bienvenidos Outreach and Food Pantry and Pete’s Place Interfaith Community Shelter, ensuring that those experiencing food insecurity have access to healthy, homegrown food.

In 2021, as the Museum reopened to the public, the garden’s role in the community expanded even further. The Seeds and Sprouts program was relaunched, inviting children to dig into gardening, learn about environmental science, and cultivate a love for nutritious, homegrown food. The garden became a place of peace and connection, where families could enjoy the outdoors and find solace after a challenging couple of years.

Seeds and Sprouts continues to be a cornerstone of the Museum’s educational programming. It provides children with hands-on opportunities to learn about the environment, sustainability, and the importance of healthy food. Through this program, children not only gain an appreciation for the natural world but also acquire practical skills that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum is excited to announce a major milestone for the garden: a $100,000 Leadership Award from the Life Center Foundation (LCF) to fund a renovation of the garden space. The Life Center Foundation Discovery Garden will include new garden beds, ADA-accessible features, a composting system, an educational teaching greenhouse, and a traditional horno. This renovation will further enhance the Seeds and Sprouts program, allowing the Museum to continue inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

The $100,000 grant from LCF marks the largest donation the foundation has ever made. Founded in 1982 by Marjorie Miller-Engel and Robert Engel, the LCF has awarded $508,000 in grants since 2003. This transformative gift not only supports the future of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum but also recognizes the Museum’s ongoing role as a vital community pillar. Marjorie Miller-Engel, president of the Life Center Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “The Life Center Foundation is proud to support the community garden, which will provide a wonderful destination for so many children and families. The garden renovation will create a vibrant, inclusive space where families can connect, learn, and play, perfectly aligning with the museum’s mission to inspire discovery, creativity, and community engagement.”

As spring approaches and we embark on the renovation of the garden, there is a palpable sense of excitement at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. The dismantling of old beds and the turning of the earth signals the beginning of a new chapter for this beloved space. By the summer of 2025, we envision a transformed garden—a space that continues to provide inspiration, education, and joy for generations to come.

Looking back on the journey, I am deeply grateful for the life the garden has brought to our community. It has been a place of learning, kindness, and growth, and it will continue to serve as a vital resource for the children and families of Santa Fe for years to come. Here’s to another 40 years of discovery, sustainability, and connection.

Hannah Hausman is a mother and the executive director of the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. Hannah grew up in Santa Fe and has spent her career working in the nonprofit sector, including Miami Children’s Museum, United Way of Miami-Dade, and Young At Art Museum.