The Palace of the Governors, situated on the north side of the historic Santa Fe Plaza in New Mexico, is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States. Constructed around 1610 as the seat of the Spanish colonial government in the Province of Nuevo México, the long low adobe structure has housed successive administrations across four centuries and four governments: Spanish colonial, ancestral Puebloan during the Revolt period, Mexican, and American.
During the Pueblo Revolt of 1680—the most successful Indigenous uprising against European colonialism in North American history—Popé and allied Pueblo warriors seized the palace and used it as their headquarters for the following twelve years. When the Spanish reconquered the region under Diego de Vargas in 1692, they reclaimed the building and resumed colonial governance from the same rooms. After Mexican independence in 1821, the palace served as the official residence and governmental hub until U.S. General Stephen W. Kearny seized Santa Fe in 1846 without firing a shot and raised the American flag over the palace roof.
The building served as the territorial governor's residence and office through 1909, housing notable figures including General Lew Wallace, who wrote portions of his novel Ben-Hur while residing there in the late 1870s. In 1909 the palace was converted into a museum; in 2009 the adjacent New Mexico History Museum opened as a companion institution sharing the same ticket and connecting galleries.
Today the Palace of the Governors houses permanent and rotating exhibitions covering the full arc of New Mexico history: pre-Columbian Native cultures, the Camino Real trade network, the Pueblo Revolt, the Santa Fe Trail, the U.S.-Mexico War, and 20th-century statehood. The building's thick adobe walls, portal columns, and overall massing retain the essential character of the original Spanish colonial structure despite numerous alterations over the centuries. The museum holds one of the most significant collections of New Mexico historical photographs in existence.
Beneath the palace's long portal, Pueblo and Navajo artisans participate in a vendor program dating to 1938, selling handmade jewelry and pottery on blankets along the sidewalk—a living tradition that has become one of Santa Fe's most iconic daily scenes.
Why it matters
The Palace of the Governors is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, having served as the seat of government under Spanish, Pueblo, Mexican, and American rule since its construction around 1610, making it the most tangible architectural witness to New Mexico's four-century political history.
Location
105 W Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
35.6876, -105.9383 View on map
Highlights
- The oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, in use since c. 1610
- Portal artisan market where Pueblo and Navajo craftspeople sell handmade jewelry and pottery daily
- Exhibitions covering the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and Diego de Vargas's reconquest of 1692
- Lew Wallace's gubernatorial quarters where portions of Ben-Hur were reportedly written
- New Mexico History Museum's extensive collection of territorial-era photographs and documents
Tips for visiting
- Admission covers both the Palace and the adjacent New Mexico History Museum; allow two hours for both
- The portal artisan market is free to browse and operates daily regardless of museum hours
- New Mexico residents receive free entry on the first Sunday of each month
- Buy tickets at the New Mexico History Museum entrance next door, which shares the ticket desk
- Morning visits are significantly quieter—tour groups fill the Santa Fe Plaza by midday
When to visit
Spring and autumn bring moderate weather and lighter tour group traffic; weekday morning visits offer the quietest experience inside the galleries. The portal artisan market is at its most active on warm weekend mornings.
Accessibility
The palace has ramp access at the main entrance and all primary exhibit galleries are wheelchair accessible; some historic adobe floor surfaces are uneven. Accessible restrooms and nearby accessible street parking are available near the Santa Fe Plaza.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Palace of the Governors take?
The palace galleries alone take 45–60 minutes; combined with the adjacent New Mexico History Museum, a thorough visit takes 2–3 hours. The portal artisan market can be browsed in 15–30 minutes additional time.
Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?
The building has ramp access at the main entrance and all primary galleries are wheelchair accessible. Some historic adobe floor surfaces in older rooms are uneven; accessible restrooms and nearby accessible parking are available.
Is the portal artisan market free to browse?
Yes; the outdoor vendor market beneath the portal is free to enter and operates daily. The artisans are vetted tribal members selling authenticated handmade work, and purchases directly benefit the artisan families.
What languages are the exhibits presented in?
All permanent exhibits are in English with Spanish translations in selected areas. Audio guides and some interpretation materials are available in Spanish upon request at the ticket desk.