The New Mexico History Museum will celebrate the
Grand Opening of the Cowden Cafe on Sunday, September 12, 2010 with a barbecue lunch, western music, and a talk by Michael
Pettit about historic and contemporary ranching in New Mexico. From 11:30 to 3:30 enjoy lunch at the Cowden Cafe and on the
terrace of the History Museum. At 3:30, come listen to a talk by the author in the History Museum Auditorium. The Cowden Cafe
is named for the renowned ranching family profiled in "Riding for the Brand."
Michael Pettit has signed an agreement with the Museum of New Mexico Press to write "New Mexico
Folk Traditions," about New Mexican folk artists who have received National Heritage Fellowships for lifetime achievement
from the National Endowment for the Arts. In conjunction with the book, a documentary video will be produced about these remarkable
artists.
On November 11, 2007, Riding for the Brand
received the 2007 New Mexico Book Award for Best Southwest History book. This was the first annual New Mexico Book Awards
program; a link is provided below for a complete list of winners and finalists.
An excerpt from Riding for the
Brand appeared in the January, 2007 issue of New Mexico Magazine. Please see link below to take you there.
