Community-focused archaeologist joins New Mexico Historic Sites as regional manager for Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites

November 22nd, 2022

Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico Historic Sites has found the new regional manager for Coronado Historic Site (CHS) and Jemez Historic Site (JHS): Dr. Elisabeth Stone, an accomplished archaeologist who has worked throughout New Mexico with an emphasis on equity, community, and collaboration. Stone assumed the role on October 17.  

“Dr. Stone joins our remarkable team at CHS and JHS,” said Patrick Moore, executive director of NMHS. “She brings with her an incredible collection of skills that can directly support our new interpretive plan at CHS and engage our community stakeholders at JHS.” 

Elisabeth Stone holds a PhD in Anthropology from UNM, with an emphasis in archaeology, as well as an MA in Anthropology and Museum Studies, with a focus on museum education. In addition, she has extensive training and experience in visitor studies and in building equity into interpretation and museum practice.  

Stone has worked throughout New Mexico, including Four Corners, Las Cruces, and the Central Rio Grande valley in archaeological, historic, and outdoor education and has curated exhibitions on topics ranging from New Mexico culinary history to quilting practices to women’s rights and activism. Beyond New Mexico, she has worked at the Spurlock Museum at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne and done archaeological research and museum interpretation at museums in Mexico, Spain, Peru, France, and Hungary, as well as throughout the United States. 

Her archaeological research focuses on bone tools, particularly those used in basketry, weaving, hideworking, and sewing. She is interested in archaeological research that sheds light on the lives and work of elders and children and the archaeology of daily life. 

Stone is deeply committed to community-led action and interpretation. She looks for ways to lift up the wisdom and knowledge held in our communities through collaborative programming, interpretation, and planning. 

“I look forward to getting to know the communities engaged at Coronado and Jemez Historic Sites and learning about how they think about history and relationship,” Stone said. “With the wonderful staff, who have strong ties to these communities and extraordinary knowledge about the sites and local history, these sites are an anchoring community resource that presents abundant opportunities for meaningful conversations and learning. I am so glad to be here and take part in these conversations.” 

About New Mexico Historic Sites 

New Mexico Historic Sites is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Board of Regents for the Museum of New Mexico. Programs and exhibits are generously supported by the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its donors. The New Mexico Historic Sites system was established in 1931 by an Act for the Preservation of the Scientific Resources of New Mexico. The eight Historic Sites include Coronado, Fort Selden, Fort Stanton, Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner Historic Site, Jemez, Lincoln, and Los Luceros.