In the Labyrinth

Jesus on The Fence

In the midst of all my work (and looming deadlines) I received this unexpected gem in the mail and wanted to share it. A gentleman in Madrid, NM had discovered the remnants of the 36 ft wooden statue of Jesus my grandfather, Pierre Ménager built for the Christmas light show in Madrid, New Mexico in the late 30's and early 40s. He sent me a photo of some of what he salvaged in making a new wall around his house. Since I have never seen this piece in color, it is pretty astonishing. (You can see more of the Christmas Light Show photographs from the 30's here...including this one of the statue here and here. )

A Glimpse into Madrid, New Mexico, 1929 to 1945

 

Taos Indians, Madrid New Mexico, July 4, 1930

The mining town Madrid, New Mexico became quite famous in the late twenties and into the forties for its most amazing Christmas Light Shows -- its extraordinary themed dioramas and its "Toyland" -- a Christmas wonderland built by the miners for their children. I have posted earlier about how my grandfather, Pierre Menager, an artist from Santa Fe was invited in the summer of 1940 by Oscar Huber, the mine's owner and superintendent to help with the designing and supervising of the creation of the Christmas Displays and spectacular Light show.

 

Fifth or Sixth Grade Class, Madrid, NM 1929 

Just recently I received a CD from Pinky Werner, granddaughter of Oscar Huber of over 600 scanned family photos and documents covering the life of Madrid (and its famous Christmas Light Show). I have been going through the photos -- astonished at what an amazing little community Madrid must have been in its heyday. I will be putting together over the next couple of months some galleries so anyone interested can share in viewing these incredible photos. And of course, I will do a "Christmas Special" of the Madrid Light Show photographs.

 

Madrid Miners Basball Team, Madrid, NM, 1929 

In the meantime, I wanted to offer a few of the photos now -- just to let you peek at this rich treasure trove of historical documents. (Clicking on each photo should give you a larger version of the image for most of these photos.)

 

Taos Indians, Madrid, NM, Fourth of July 1930 Parade Float 

 

Community Cookout, Madrid, NM, 1945 

 

Musicians playing for the Dances, Madrid, NM, 1945