Fourteen Generations of Stewardship
Since the late 1600's, the Jaramillo family has stood as guardians of this land. The Rancho Chimayó Collection Galeria is the modern chapter of a story three centuries in the making.
The Land: Since the Late 1600's
In the high desert of Northern New Mexico, time moves differently. Our family has inhabited the Chimayo Valley since the late 1600's, surviving through shifting borders and changing eras. This deep connection to the soil is what informs our eye for art; we do not just sell objects, we represent the very culture our ancestors helped build.
My Deep Ties Are To San Ildefonso Pueblo
My great great grandfather, Massimo Herrera, had the original trading post in the center of the pueblo from 1880-1933, where Joseph's grandmother was born. With a great percentage of Tewa blood Josephs bloodline, he has always had a deep love and affiction for the artists but also the Native American art and cuture of all the pueblos in the Southwest.
The Building: From Corral to Gallery
Built Upon Mud and Rock
The structure that houses our collection today was originally built in 1905 as a family corral. When Joseph Sisneros took the helm, he chose to honor the building's history rather than erase it. We reinforced the original mud-and-rock foundations by hand, creating the 'bancos' that now support museum-quality pottery. Every corner of the Galeria breathes with the original spirit of the Chimayó valley.
A Cultural Destination
The Galeria is an integral part of the larger Rancho de Chimayó estate-home to the James Beard Award-winning restaurant, which is Josephs ancestral home built in 1880 by great grandfather, Hermenegildo Jaramillo. While the restaurant preserves the flavors of our heritage, the Galeria preserves its visual and spiritual artifacts. Together, we offer a complete immersion into the traditions of New Mexico.
Transition to Collection