Deceased former UNM professor Frank Hibben left evidence of his passion for archaeology through his contribution to the development of the Hibben Archaeological Center, which is slated to be completed by the fall semester.
Hibben funded the project's $4 million cost for the collection of artifacts and advancement in archeological research. The Hibben Center will be south of the Maxwell Museum on the west side of campus.
Award-winning New Mexico architect Patrick McClernon worked closely with Hibben in designing the building.
"He and his wife participated collectively through the process of design decisions," McClernon said. "They had strong opinions of what it should be."
The center will become a storage space where researchers and students can study and work with the collection of artifacts stored there. Due to Hibben's direction at the UNM field school in Chaco Canyon before World War II, a large collection of Chaco Canyon artifacts will be housed at the center. Ceremonial murals from his best-known southwestern work in central and northern New Mexico also will be included in the archive.
"We'll be able to bring everything together along with a couple seminar rooms and a lecture hall for up to 108 people," McClernon said.
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The new building will help accommodate the Maxwell Museum, also founded by Hibben, by providing more space for archaeology classes and artifacts.
Garth Bawden, the Maxwell Museum director, said he believes it will advance opportunities for students.
"It will provide classroom and laboratory space and expand out current abilities," Bawden said.
The original completion date for the project was set for December 2001, but a few setbacks occurred.
"Some last minute changes made us behind, but it should be ready by mid-July," McClernon said.
Hibben is responsible for many of the educational endowments in the Maxwell Museum.
The building was one of the many gifts Hibben has left for UNM's Archaeology Department.
Hibben was a professor emeritus and his daily interactions in the classroom gave him the desire to give financial help to struggling students.
He established the Center for Archaeological Research, home of the Hibben Trust, which is a scholarship available to archeological students. He also made annual grants available to graduate students conducting research in archaeology.
As a world-renowned author, explorer and field researcher, Hibben was dedicated to his work until he died in his sleep June 11.
McClernon realized Hibben's many achievements while working on the Hibben Center project.
"He has been a major donor for student scholarships," McClernon said.
Bawden, who is now the fifth director of the Maxwell Museum, has known Hibben since 1985, when Hibben used to direct the museum.
"We've made contact over the years, and I've seen him work to develop his mission," Bawden said.
"He has helped advance archaeological research through the building, but small, very important ways as well."
by Colleen Banet
Daily Lobo
