It’s easy to assume that history solely belongs to national archives and inside textbooks. Yet, every historical timeline was once an ordinary place with everyday experiences. Jerry Wallace, an NMSU assistant professor of history and director of the Public History Program, said history is in our own backyards.
“All history is local,” Wallace said. “We like to think that when we study history, and we write history, we're always writing about these national, regional history narratives. But from the ground up, history is always about local stories.”
Recognized for his ongoing commitment to preserving local history, Wallace received this year’s Heritage Preservation Individual Achievement Award from the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, celebrating his impactful work at NMSU and within the Las Cruces community.
“I'm very appreciative of getting this award,” he said. “And more importantly, I see this as an extension of the greater Las Cruces.”
As Wallace accepted an award that recognized his achievements and dedication to historic preservation, he stressed that these achievements and this award are not just his own.
“It’s a little bit awkward to be honest with you,” he added. “So many of the things that we work on as public historians are very collaborative. And in this case, at NMSU, especially in the Public History Program, most of the work is really focused on getting students involved in all of these projects. When I was notified that I was nominated for this award and was going to receive it, I was just like, ‘Well, that's unfair. That's a little bit weird because it's not like it's just me.’”
Although the award formally honors Wallace’s preservation work, he views the recognition as an inspiration for students who are interested in historic preservation.
“What's great about the recognition and what's great about the fact that it's elevating the role of students in the community is that the program is training the next group of historic preservationists that are homegrown. As opposed to people that are relocating here and having to learn the community and understand all the different nuances of Las Cruces and the Greater Las Cruces areas,” Wallace said.
As residents and visitors travel through Las Cruces, it’s easy to recognize the aged buildings that show what the town was like many years ago. Preservation of these long-standing landmarks is what keeps Wallace searching for more.
“Las Cruces has its own unique architectural identity and its own unique building styles. We're not Santa Fe. It’s very unique, and it’s really tied to the border,” he said. “Las Cruces is near and dear to my heart. I was born here, raised here. To have that kind of visibility, the showcasing that we're contributing to this New Mexico story and this New Mexico identity and this New Mexico narrative, then it also shows that we get to tell that story.”
Throughout his career, Wallace dedicated himself to directing NMSU’s public history program and leading students in inventorying historic districts in Las Cruces (such as Motel Boulevard, West Picacho Antiques District, and El Paseo Commercial Corridor). He’s also guided graduate students on community projects, including the Murales Fronterizos initiative to catalog mural art across Las Cruces, Mesilla, El Paso and eventually Ciudad Juárez.
Along with his commitment to student collaborations at NMSU, Wallace is the chair of the City of Las Cruces Historic Preservation Committee and vice president of the Doña Ana County Historical Society. In these roles, he advocates for new historic districts in Las Cruces and established a watchlist for these potential areas.
“I'm only successful because there's people that feel very passionate about preservation,” he said. “I hope now [that I've received this award] the state says, ‘Oh, the public history program down there at NMSU, it's got all these projects that it's always doing. How can we partner and support them?’”
This award not only speaks for the diligent historic preservation Wallace has poured his heart into but also his dedication to giving back to the community through pioneering new historians and advocating for the quiet part of history.
“Everyday places and everyday people are important because of that connection, that sort of connective tissue,” Wallace said. “Buildings are inherently a part of our identity. They themselves cannot talk, but buildings often have their own stories in which they have evolved and changed over time. Just as humans have changed.”
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CUTLINE: From left, Audra Bellmore, a committee member with the State Cultural Properties Review Committee and associate professor in the Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections stands next to Jerry Wallace, NMSU assistant professor of history and director of the Public History Program while he accepts the Heritage Preservation Individual Achievement Award from the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division on May 29 (Courtesy of City of Las Cruces).