Founded in 1881 as a headquarters for the southern transcontinental rail route, the town draws its name from David L. Gallup, a paymaster for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad (later part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad).
The Rex Museum
Once a brothel and later a grocery store, the museum hosts local and traveling exhibits on a rotating basis, providing new content for our community and guests.
The Rex Museum is currently closed due to construction and exhibit development. To visit the Rex Museum please call 505-863-1291 to schedule an appointment.
Located along Historic Route 66, the Rex Museum has a long and interesting history in Gallup. Originally constructed by Italian stonemasons in the late 19th century as part of the Gallup Townsite, the sandstone building housed various commercial establishments and hotels over the decades, including the Angelus Hotel, Angelus Billiard Parlor, Rex Hotel, and Rex Bowling Alley. After serving as a liquor store in the 1950s and a variety store in the 1970s, the historic structure eventually became the Rex Museum.
Today, the Rex Museum showcases the rich history of Gallup and its railroad and mining days. Visitors and researchers will find a number of important historical resources including an inventory of the graves at Hillcrest Cemetery, photographs, newspapers, artifacts and books about Gallup’s past during their visit.
Previous Exhibitions
World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration
Developed by the American Anthropological Association, together with the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and Smithsonian Exhibits. It is administered by the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office. The ongoing, traveling exhibition was hosted at The Rex Museum on July 10, 2023 – August 18, 2023 and explored the following questions: Where do we come from? Why do we move? How does migration change us? Where are we going?
Directions to the Rex Museum
The Rex Museum is located at 300 West Historic U.S. Highway 66 at the intersection of Route 66 and Third Street.
Contact Tammi Moe at (505) 863-1363 or museums@gallupnm.gov for more details.
Information About Gallup's History
If you are seeking information about Gallup's history or wish to donate materials to the city archives please contact the Octavia Fellin Library at (505) 863-1291. The library maintains archives of newspapers, photographs, and more throughout Gallup's history.
More to Explore
Red Rock Park Museum
Through interpretive exhibits, the Red Rock Park Museum chronicles the lives and culture of the Ancestral Puebloans as well as the present-day Zuni, Hopi and Navajo.
Gallup Cultural Center
The Gallup Cultural Center offers diverse programming and arts that celebrate the Native American cultures that neighbor Gallup, as well as Gallup's unique history. It was created in 1996 at the historic…
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
Located about an hour from Gallup on the Navajo Reservation in Ganado, Arizona, the Hubbell Trading Post has been selling…
Gallup’s Coal Mining Ghost Towns
Carbon City's coal mining legacy
Gallup’s History of Hospitality
From stagecoach, to railroad, to Route 66, Gallup has been welcoming visitors for 150 years.
Top 15 Real True Things to Do in Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup is all about sharing true, life-changing moments with our visitors.
Must-Try Breakfast Spots
Wake up to the enticing breakfast offerings of Gallup, New Mexico.