Gutierrez-Hubbell House
The Gutierrez-Hubbell house, built in 1900 by prominent local architect John Gaw Meem III, is an example of the American Prairie Style which was popular in the 20th century. It is located at 6029 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105. The owners, Jane and William Hubbell, were known for their generosity towards the city of Albuquerque as well as their vast collection of artworks. The house is filled with paintings from all periods of time as well as antiques and other objects that reflect the Hubbells' interests and hobbies. The home is open to visitors year-round but there are additional special events and programs available depending on the time of year.
The History of the Gutierrez-Hubbell Home
The Gutierrez-Hubbell House was built in 1900 by John Gaw Meem III, who was one of the most prominent architects in New Mexico at the time. He was also the son of the founder of the town of Meem. William Hubbell, a local philanthropist who was also a lawyer, inherited the house when his mother passed away shortly after its completion. Hubbell, a well-known collector of artworks, kept the home decorated in the American Prairie style and added many new pieces of art to the collection over the years. When Hubbell died in 1933, his funeral was held in the home's parlor which he had transformed into a museum that displayed his extensive collection of art. By that point, Hubbell had acquired a large number of paintings, prints, and sculptures that were displayed throughout the house and grounds.
When Jane Hubbell, who inherited the house upon her father's death, decided to sell the home in 1951, the buyer was wealthy businessman and art collector William Herbert, a relative of Hubbell's. Herbert, who owned a number of other homes in the area, wanted to tear down the original house and construct a new one. The new owners, however, were inspired by the history of the house and decided to preserve it. They had the original house restored in 1954 and have since undergone several renovations. Today, the Gutierrez-Hubbell House is a museum that houses a permanent collection of art as well as a variety of special events, programs, and exhibits throughout the year.
Visit the Grounds of the Gutierrez-Hubbell House
The grounds of the Gutierrez-Hubbell House are also a source of fascination for visitors. The Hubbell family originally built a large farm on the land that includes several outbuildings, a swimming pool, and a large garden. The gardens are now only open at certain times of the year, but there are multiple paths through the property that make it easy to explore on your own. Visitors can also take a self-guided walking tour of the grounds, which feature many more of the Hubbell family's collections. There are multiple plaques throughout the grounds that provide an explanation of the collections found there. Near the entrance gates, there is a marble plaque that reads:
Take a Guided Tour of the Home
Guided tours of the Gutierrez-Hubbell House are available daily by reservation only. Reservations can be made online or by calling (505) 924-9636. Tours are free but are subject to availability. The house is open year-round from 10:30am until 4:30pm, but some special events and programs are scheduled throughout the year that may alter these times. Visitors to the home can take a guided tour of the first floor of the house, which is furnished as it was in the Hubbell years. There are two houses on the property that are rented out to the public, so it is possible to visit one of these if you would like to see the other side of the home.
The Artwork Collection of William and Jane Hubbell
Among the many gifts that Jane and William Hubbell bequeathed to both the city of Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico is a large collection of art. The Hubbells' interests spanned many different fields including painting, sculpture, photography, design, architecture, and prints. They also spent many years collecting antiquities from all over the world. The Hubbells acquired most of the works for their collection for free or at low cost, which is another example of their generous nature. Many of the pieces were given to them by friends or family members. The Hubbells were also cautious about buying art that was unduly expensive, so most of the artwork in the collection was acquired for a very low price. The Hubbells' collection is primarily housed at the Gutierrez-Hubbell House, but there are some pieces that are on display at the Albuquerque History Museum.
Conclusion
The Gutierrez-Hubbell House is a stunning example of the American Prairie style. The house itself is one of the few examples of this style in the city, as most of the buildings in the area were built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The property also features many of the Hubbell family's collections, including many works of art that are open to the public for viewing.