Jenny's View
November 2022
Dear Friends,
Long a gathering place for thinkers and artists, the hotel aspires to be a hub for innovators and community builders for another 100 years. Doing so is simple if we remain committed to pioneering the spirit of authenticity that has been our beacon since we first opened our doors in 1922.
In Spanish, fonda means “Inn” and for over four hundred years there has been some type of lodging at the crossroads of Old Santa Fe Trial and San Francisco Street. There is a special kind of energy here, a vibe that draws all walks of life. And, at La Fonda, everyone feels at home.
Fred Harvey knew that and his ability to understand how travelers tick is why his name is synonymous with quality accommodations and culture-based travel. What better way to highlight his legacy than during a festive weekend in his honor? The 13th annual Fred Harvey History Weekend begins November 4th and promises to delight anyone interested in the dynamic evolution of the Southwest. Service, culinary arts, rail lore and Harvey Houses are the focus of multiple talks slated at the New Mexico History Museum. The Foodie Dinner and live auction at La Fonda with Chef Johnny Vee as the MC is always a hit! Explore the weekend lineup here.
Speaking of Harvey, we plan to honor two famous Harvey Girls in December during our final Centennial Speaker Series that will highlight our inaugural La Fonda Legends on December 2, 2022, 2-4pm in the New Mexico Room. Beverly Ireland and Bernette Jarvis – the Harvey Girl twins from Minnesota made their way to the high desert when they were just teenyboppers. Now in their eighties and still living in Santa Fe, the twins safeguard and share the Harvey Girl experience at La Fonda. They are funny, entertaining and they often share their stories of what went on behind the scenes when they worked at La Fonda as Harvey Girls.
What would Mary do? Is the question Barbara Felix asks at the onset of any La Fonda design project. Her steadfast commitment to the legendary architect, Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter has created a powerhouse design aesthetic that continues to fuse materials and culture. Under Felix’s watchful eye, La Fonda earned accolades such as the 2012 Heritage Preservation Award for the renovation of La Plazuela, the 2016 Historic Hotels of America Award for Best Historic Hotel and the 2020 Historic Hotels of America Sustainability Champion Award. Her mark on La Fonda honors the past while weaving contemporary design elements and modern technology into all architectural decisions to ensure a relevant and vibrant future. Her talent and professionalism have earned her many accolades, including the 2018 Design + Honor Award by AIA New Mexico, the 2014 Project of the Year Award from the American Subcontractors Association for La Fonda's historic remodel and guest room renovation. She's a legend in her own right and we’d like to recognize her contributions to maintaining our cultural integrity with the next hundred years in mind.
It was 1974 when nine-year-old Tony Abeyta first visited the hotel to see a painting loved by his father (Narcisco Abeyta/Ha So De) depicting a Navajo Night Chant by artist, Horace Akin. Featuring Navajos on horseback witnessing a ceremony against a backdrop of illuminated cliffs, the painting must have made an impact on Tony as a young boy and in a small way, contributed to his career as an artist. Today, his modern paintings of New Mexico’s landscapes and ancestral Navajo iconography are sought after the world over. He is recipient of the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and is recognized as a Native Treasure by the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.
In 2013, I commissioned Tony to paint a mural of the hotel at the entrance near our parking garage and there is not a day I don’t enter the hotel without admiring it. Several years ago, I asked Tony to paint two pieces for our bar, and the two gorgeous red horses that grace La Fiesta Lounge are the result. Tony is always available to help me by answering questions about art, up and coming artists, as well as providing the background to many of the pieces of art that have been hanging at the hotel for the past 100 years. His work is nothing short of magic. Who can say how many young admirers are influenced by his work? That is the beauty of art, and part of why Tony Abeyta is forever a part of the rich tapestry of this hotel. It’s a deep honor to recognize his contributions to our art collection.
Then there’s our favorite folk music crooner who never ceases to have folks two-steppin’ all night in La Fiesta Lounge, Bill Hearne. Stars on the country music circuit, Bill and his late-wife, Bonnie started playing at La Fonda in the early 90s. If you’ve heard Bill play, you know that he’s a master artist whose generous spirit resonates through acoustic strumming on his custom Collings guitar and his old-timey Texas drawl belting out hits like New Mexico Rain.
It’s good for the soul to allow the memories of the people and places that carry special meaning to flood over us now and again, particularly this time of year. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there’s no better time to reflect on those that hold special meaning and celebrate them – and remember to do it more often.
We hope to see you here for our inaugural La Fonda Legends event!
With thanks,
Jenny
