Explore New Mexico’s Spirit of Discovery in the Newly Digitized Karl Kernberger Photograph Collection

Photographs of New Mexico’s ghost towns, outdoor recreation, and Southwest culture are now available online thanks to the digitization of the Karl Kernberger Photograph Collection at the New Mexico History Museum. With more than 24,000 images now accessible, the collection provides a rare and compelling visual record of life in New Mexico and the greater Southwest during the mid-20th century.

A New Digital Window into New Mexico’s Cultural and Outdoor Legacy

Karl Kernberger (1938–1997) was a former staff photographer at the Museum of New Mexico who went on to become an award-winning photographer and filmmaker. His work spans New Mexico, Mexico, and the American West, documenting everything from cultural events and ghost towns to sporting life, rock art, and Indigenous communities. As the popularity of outdoor recreation in New Mexico grew during the 1960s and ’70s, Kernberger was there—capturing moments both iconic and intimate.

The newly digitized collection includes approximately 24,000 negatives, 1,625 contact sheets, 155 prints, and 64 reels of moving image film. It was made possible by a grant from the New Mexico Historical Records Advisory Board, which supported both the digitization and the improved archival care of the materials.

Unexpected Finds in a Vast Archive

"When we uploaded the contact sheets, I saw images of ghost towns, but I also spotted images I didn’t expect, including photographs from a local press conference on prison conditions," said Hannah Abelbeck, curator of photographs and archival collections at the History Museum. "I hope others uncover images they find interesting, engaging, or relevant."

In addition to his solo work, Kernberger collaborated with childhood friend J. Michael Jenkinson on several photography books, including Ghost Towns of New Mexico, Land of Clear Light, and Wild Rivers of North America.

Browse the Collection Online

The public can now explore Kernberger’s digitized contact sheets through the museum’s online collections portal. This resource offers a new way to engage with New Mexico’s visual history, whether you're researching regional culture, investigating historic environmental change, or simply curious about life in the American Southwest.

👉 Browse the Karl Kernberger Photograph Collection: archives.newmexicoculture.org

Upcoming Talk: “Out There Adventure”

To celebrate and contextualize the digitized collection, the museum will host a free public presentation:

📅 Friday, May 16, 2025
🕠 5:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 New Mexico History Museum
🎤 “Out There Adventure: The Photographs of Karl Kernberger”, presented by project archivist Hall Frost

About New Mexico History Museum

New Mexico History Museum, a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, offers a welcoming place for exploration of multifaceted views on history, dialog that bridges social and cultural divides, and reflection on the conditions needed for a more resilient, just, and sustainable future. The NMHM campus is located on the north side of the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Learn more at nmhistory.org.

Photo: Karl Kernberger, in pursuit of a shot. Image courtesy of Carolyn Kernberger.