El Zaguán Preservation 

El Zaguán started when a merchant bought a property on Canyon Road in Santa Fe in the 1850s, it later expanded gradually as his business and family grew.
Margretta Dietritch, an organizer of women’s suffrage groups, operated El Zaguán as a hotel in 1928. In 1970, a private corporation formed by the renowned Santa Fe architect John Gaw Meem transferred ownership of the property to the Historic Santa Fe Foundation.

El Zaguán is a blend of various architectural styles. The Spanish Pueblo style is evident in the flat roof, linear floor plan, and softly rounded adobe corners. Elements from the territorial style, such as brick coping and classical wood door and window trim, were incorporated at a later stage. Lastly, the use of metal lath and cement painted in earthy tones exemplifies the prevalent Spanish Pueblo Revival style found throughout New Mexico.

Since taking ownership over 50 years ago, the Historic Santa Fe Foundation has diligently undertaken the ongoing maintenance and repairs required to preserve the property.
Annually, the organization provides the Faith and John Gaw Meem Preservation Trades Internship, a rigorous program aimed at enabling students to gain practical skills and experience in preservation work. Beyond the hands-on training, the internship also aims to familiarize interns with the history of Santa Fe and provide insights into the operations of a non-profit organization.

Work completed as part of the Faith and John Gaw Meem Preservation Trades Internship at the Historic Santa Fe Foundation.