The Silver City Museum exists to collect, preserve, research, and interpret for the public the regional history and objects related to the peoples of Southwest New Mexico in an accurate, balanced, and professional manner.

The Silver City Museum

Located in downtown Silver City, just 4 blocks west of Highway 90 and a block from the Arts District, the Silver City Museum is open with free admission from 9:00 AM to 4:30PM Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 AM to 4:00PM Saturdays and Sundays. It is closed Mondays. Guided group tours available by prior arrangement.

Founded in 1967, the Silver City Museum is operated by the Town of Silver City with support from the non-profit Silver City Museum Society and grant support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Museum collections include some 20,000 objects relating to the peoples and history of southwest New Mexico.

The Museum is housed in the recently-restored 1881 Mansard/Italianate H.B. Ailman House, with a modern collections care wing and changing exhibits gallery. The Museum's main floor is completely handicapped-accessible; a videotaped tour of the upper floor exhibits and cupola can be viewed in the local history library.

The Silver City Museum has achieved the highest recognition for a museum, accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM).

AAM Accreditation signifies excellence within the museum community. It is a seal of approval and strengthens individual museums and the entire field by promoting ethical and professional practices. Being accredited enables museum leaders to make informed decisions, allocate and use resources wisely, and maintain the strictest accountability to the public they serve.

Of the nation’s nearly 16,000 museums over 750 are currently accredited. It is a rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. The Silver City Museum is one of only 13 museums accredited in New Mexico.