Martha Liebert Talk: Between the River and a Hard Place

Between the River and a Hard Place a Talk by Martha Liebert

May 14, 2022, in the Gracie Lee Community Room at 2:00 PM.

Since 1977 the Sandoval County Historical Society (SCHS) has collected the area’s history.  During this time it became evident that there was a need to bring together the bits and pieces of Bernalillo history into a cohesive whole.  Hundreds of local folks donated their energy, knowledge and materials to the archives in an effort to record local history.  This book is a gift to the people of the town and also an effort to recognize and honor those people who made contributions of service to the community.  Their generosity provided a basis for this book.

A North Dakota native, Martha earned a masters degree in art from UNM.  She married Joseph Liebert and came to live in Bernalillo in 1957.  Joe taught High School while they raised three sons, Paul, Thor and Mark.  This book is a labor of love by the Liebert Family.  All three sons had a part in the production of the book as well as daughter-in-law, Charlie Kenesson, whose professional design took the raw material and created the finished product.

In 1965 Martha and several other young mothers started a library for the town of Bernalillo because they wanted a story hour for their children.  The town gave them room in City Hall with Martha acting as librarian.

In l977 Moll Kintzinger founded SCHS and in 1980 asked Martha Liebert to take over.  At that time, SCHS moved into the library.  Martha obtained a grant from the New Mexico Humanities Council to do a photo history of Sandoval County which provided exhibits and programs for the public.  The photo history has continued as a major project throughout the years.

In 1990, SCHS was bequeathed the home of Edmund DeLavy for a museum and archive.  SCHS moved to the DeLavy house  where it has remained ever since.  SCHS offers a genealogical research center, an extensive photo archive and a library of southwest and Native American titles.

SCHS offers local history programs on the 2nd Sunday of every month at 2:00 p.m.  Staffed entirely by volunteers, it is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:00 to 12:00.  SCHS is located in Bernalillo, off US 550, just east of the Santa Ana Star Casino.  The website is www.sandovalhistory.org.

Come listen to Martha Liebert, May 14, 2022 at the Placitas Community Library in the Gracie Lee Community Room at 2:00 p.m. talk about the Sandoval County Historical Society and the making of the book about the history and stories of Bernalillo and the surrounding areas.  The Placitas Community Library is located at 453 Hwy. 165, Placitas, New Mexico 87043.  More information can be obtained at placitaslibrary.com and 505-867-3355. 

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