INTERPRETATION


“JOURNEY'S END” 
INTERPRETIVE PROJECT 

Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway 

NEw MExico 


2 0 0 7  S C E N I C  B Y W A Y  A W A R D  W I N N E R for

I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

Telling America’s story of westward expansion 
with its inherent physical movement is difficult 
because of the limited resources visitors 
can see. Many places struggle with how to 
interpret this story. The Santa Fe Trail National 
Scenic Byway has taken a major step toward 
providing an innovative example of how to 
interpret and also visualize this story with 
the “Journey’s End” project. 

INNOVATION IN VISUAL INTERPRETATION 

Through the “Journey’s End” Interpretive Project, a life-sized 
bronze sculpture stands near the end of the Santa Fe Trail, offering 
a dimensional visual anchor for both the trail itself and the story 
it tells. The sculpture depicts a covered wagon pulled by mules, 
bogged down as it nears the Santa Fe Plaza. This moment in time 
illustrates a diverse range of human experiences: riders helping 
each other and the mules, a boy and a dog greeting the wagon, 
and an American Indian woman observing from a distance. In 
addition to the monument itself, the interpretation includes 
embedded fiberglass signs, an audio recording, and a brochure. 

LEADERSHIP THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

While this project offers an amazing example of innovation in 
byway interpretation, it also offers a major lesson in partnerships. 
The project was first conceived by the city of Santa Fe’s Art in 
Public Places Committee, and carried out together with the 
Santa Fe National Scenic Byway Alliance. This organizational 
and project connection between history and the arts ensured 
that scenic byway advocates could gain knowledge of public 
art experience (and vice versa). It also accessed a readymade 
process for citizen involvement. A citizens committee was 
appointed to identify the appropriate site. Then an artist 
selection committee was formed to review artists’ proposals. 
These committees included neighborhood and Santa Fe Trail 
representatives, along with art professionals and others. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DRIVES SUCCESS 

During the design phase, the project team hosted a public 
event to invite citizens to meet the artist, Reynaldo Rivera, and 
see preliminary sculpture proposals. With widespread public 
support in place, the artist finalized the project. This support 
continued once the sculpture and other interpretive materials 
were installed. Perhaps the best summary of the acceptance of 
this work is a quote from Santa Fe Mayor David Cross: “This 
sculpture is probably our most visited piece of public art. Even 
before the landscaping was completed, tour buses were stopping 
to show the sculpture and talk about Santa Fe Trail history. The 
popularity of the site required adding a city bus stop.” 

“Journey’s End” breaks new ground for historical interpretation, 
allowing the visitor to visualize a critical story in American 
history. It also provides an innovative model as a collaborative 
option for interpretation. 

PHOTOS (4): Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway, New Mexico.

MOTTO: Sharing Success and Honoring Excellence.