The Roswell Museum was founded in 1935 through an agreement between the City of Roswell, Works Progress Administration (WPA), Federal Art Project (FAP), Chaves County Archaeological and Historical Society, and the Roswell Friends of Art. The Museum opened in 1937, deriving its initial support from the WPA as part of a Depression era project to promote public art centers nationwide. Today, the Roswell Museum is among a handful of these Federal Art Centers that remain in operation. In its proposed plan, the WPA established that “the root of the community art center idea is participation by the entire community in all forms of art experience…” The stated purpose of the Museum was “to serve the art needs of Roswell [through] continuously changing exhibitions in the fine and practical arts, lectures and gallery talks [music programs and an art school where classes were offered free to the public]. From the outset, the Roswell Museum established itself as a cultural and educational locus for the community. When the WPA restructured in 1941, the City of Roswell assumed control of the Museum.

When Daniel Boone and his men reached the Kentucky River on April 1, 1775, they quickly moved to establish Kentucky’s second settlement – the site still known as Fort Boonesborough. Fort Boonesborough has been reconstructed as a working fort complete with cabins, blockhouses and furnishings. 18th century life skills and period craft demonstrations bring history to life for all ages. New archaeological findings have supplied even more information which can be read about on the original fort’s new interpretive signage.

Spring River Zoo works to enrich the lives of Roswell residents through exposure to wildlife and educational programs and events. The Zoo serves the local community as well as tourists from around the world. Spring River Zoo drives curiosity, fosters a love of animals, and environmental conservation. Staff work to keep animals healthy and improve their quality of life through enrichment activities. Staff develops new and inventive programming that serves residents, tourists and students with intimate educational experience as well as producing fundraisers that support an offset operational cost to bring the master plan to fruition.

The Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art opened its doors in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1994 to showcase works of art produced by former fellows of the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program. Today, more than 500 diverse works of art enliven its 12 galleries and 22,000 square feet of exhibition space. Dedicated to the work produced by artists who have participated in the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program, AMoCA has become a source of knowledge and inspiration about contemporary visual art for the Roswell region, New Mexico and the Nation.