1925

The Spanish Colonial Arts Society was initiated as the Society for the Revival of Spanish Colonial Arts by writer Mary Austin (1868-1934) with assistance from artist/writer Frank Applegate (1881-1931) and with the Committee for the Preservation and Restoration of New Mexico Mission Churches spearheaded by architect John Gaw Meem (1894-1983).

1926

Spanish Market was initiated during the Santa Fe Fiestas.

1928

The Society began purchasing Spanish Colonial art, with the acquisiton of reredos (altar screen) from the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church in Llano Quemado which had been replaced by a new altar screen. This carved and painted artwork, which was six-and-a-half feet tall, was made by the workshop of José Rafael Aragόn, the 19th century santero. This significant altar screen was installed in the Palace of the Governors on the Santa Fe Plaza in 1929, and it has been on display as a long-term loan ever since.

1929

The Society was incorporated on October 15 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

1929

The Society purchased a private chapel, restored, and later deeded it to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe that same year. This Santuario de Chimayό is world-famous today as the destination of devotional pilgrims each year on Easter Sunday.

1938 –

The Society purchased fifty watercolors of colcha embroidery designs by Nellie Dunton. Most of the images in this significant portfolio were reproduced in Spanish Colonial Ornament, the 1935 publication that has inspired artists for many decades.