
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
November 28, 2007
Hibben House to be Restored
Former house of noted UNM archaeologist to be devoted to education, research and community outreach
Brothers Dennis and Douglas Lutz, whose family homesteaded to New Mexico Territory a century ago, have announced plans to restore the Frank C. Hibben property in Albuquerque. The Hibben property, which is located at 3005 Campus Blvd. N.E. in the Nob Hill area, will be an exhibit, and education and research center available to the public when completed. It will feature the famous Hibben collection of world wide animal head mounts and be developed in a manner that is consistent as possible with Dr. Hibben’s original bequest.
Dr. Hibben (1910-2002) was a noted archaeologist, prolific author, outdoor adventurer, big-game hunter, philanthropist and larger-than-life friend and inspiration to many. The legendary, charismatic, popular and sometimes controversial University of New Mexico anthropology professor spent nearly 70 years on the UNM faculty and directed the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology for half of its 75-year existence. Most of all, Hibben was a passionate educator, researcher and conservationist whose legacy will energize the project.
Dr. Dennis Lutz, a professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, is an alumnus of the UNM School of Medicine. He’s a noted expert on Montana place names and postal history, and the founder of the Old Soo Depot Transportation Museum and Western History Research Center in Minot, N.D.
His brother, Douglas, is president of High Desert State Bank in Albuquerque and president-elect of the Independent Community Banker’s Association of New Mexico. The brothers share the same enthusiasm and dedication for western historical preservation, research and education.
“It is hoped that upon completion the Hibben House can serve as a model for collaboration between the private and public sector, including other museums and universities,” said the Lutz brothers. “Much work remains to make this ambitious and visionary project a reality.”
Devoted to education, research and community outreach, the Hibben House will be dedicated in late-2010, the 100 th anniversary of Frank Hibben’s birth.
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