Roswell: Think about it and thoughts of aliens, crop circles, and government conspiracies simultaneously spring to mind. But, the thing is, Roswell is so much more than that. Roswell is a city full of dreams and life. It's a city full of polarities. It's a city full of art and invention and mystery. It's a city based on the premise "What if."
As you drive into Roswell from the south end on 285, then you may wonder what is so special about Roswell. It looks like any other run-down New Mexican town. The buildings are abandoned, old adobe walls with faded paint. Lifeless vehicles sit out in the parking lots, fading under the withering stare of the hot desert sun. New businesses, old businesses, a small-town courthouse square, summer Saturdays with farmer's markets: all contribute to the local color and culture.
But, gather up your courage and continue your drive. Look beyond the facade and see the history. Greek revival funeral homes, Victorian and ranch and adobe style houses all tell a story. Buildings loom larger and larger, a symbol of growth and promise. Roswell is also host to the New Mexico Military Institute where patriots train to defend our country. The sprawling campus allows passers-by a glimpse of green fields when all else is brown and bleached gold.
What if we give people artistic freedom without guidelines?:
More than that though. Despite it's small town, country yokel, cliched atmosphere that most people see, lies a thriving hub of art and music and culture. One of my favorite places to visit in Roswell is the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art. One of my favorite installations is a number of golf club bags, molded and fixed up to look like sharks, swimming from the ceiling.
In addition to the Anderson art museum, there is also the Roswell Museum and Art Center which exhibits the works of Peter Hurd and Georgia O'Keefe, among others.
What if we train our students to continue their education and explore the delights of music and nature?
Roswell is home to several parks, promoting healthier lifestyles and family fun. During the summer, live music can be found in some of the parks.
Additionally, Roswell even has its own orchestra and community theatre. Now, while you may not get Carnegie Hall quality music, you do at least get a taste of the finer things life has to offer. The local campus also provides theatrical performances such as "Beauty and the Beast." And, before your performance, you can grab dinner at one of the little tea shoppes or steak houses that are constantly springing forth from concrete.
What if we question authority?
And then, then there is the conspiracy. The mysterious accident that slammed Roswell on the map. Aliens. Flying Saucers. Mysterious and unknown metal debris. In 1947 something strange and mysterious happened in the town of Roswell, and ever since then Roswell has become a major hub for those open-minded explorers on their spiritual quest for answers. Do aliens exist? Can we trust our government? What really happened that summer of 1947, and what does the government keep in Area 51? These questions are found and semi-answered in the UFO museum here in town. Unfortunately, for the more objective explorer, the current museum is a bit of a let-down (but that doesn't mean it isn't worth the $5 entrance fee). However, current plans are underway for a bigger and better museum, chock full of materials, stories, and evidence that life does exist on other planets. However, just hearing the stories from live witnesses is enough to make a trip to Roswell worth it.
In the meantime, whether you believe in aliens or not, the Roswell UFO festival at the beginning of July is always a big hit, filled with live music, interesting lectures, costume competitions, and lots and lots and lots of delicious food.
Roswell is so much more than a countrified town. Yes, it's small and has some of that southern charm that some call countrified or hick-ish, but it's an open-minded, explorative town with heart and charm and growing sophistication. The people here aren't afraid to explore other modes of thinking. They embrace there history while continuing to expand. Roswell has a history and museum's worth of stories; it has a life of its own. And all of this just goes to show that it's a city based on "What if."
