In partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Home and Garden Television has selected a total of 12 historical sites from across the United States for the "Save America's Treasure" series. The Hubbell House is the only project in the southwest region. The programs will run on HGTV for year beginning in July 2003. "Through extensive coordination with the local community, we hope to restore the Hubbell House to its original state, preserving the unique architectural style," says Commissioner Gallegos. "A living museum will capture the valuable cultural and economic contributions of the Hubbell family to the Pajarito area and secure this piece of history for future generations to enjoy. National exposure of this worthy project should generate interest and concern for preservation."

The Gutierrez/Hubbel House is a symbol of the joining of colonial Spanish grace and traditions with American entrepreneurship: it was the home of Julianna Gutierrez, descendant of some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Pajarito, the Rio Abajo (lower river) and, indeed in all of New Mexico, and James Lawrence "Santiago" Hubbell, a Connecticut Yankee who came west to seek his fortune when New Mexico became an American territory. Children raised in the house spoke and wrote both Spanish and English. Like the traditional Spanish hacienda, it was the center of a large family farm and ranch, providing both work and service to American Architectural elements. Its room plan suggests that the traditional linear Spanish colonial arrangement of rooms was expanded to become a Territorial style sala-centered house. It also has the traditional Spanish thick adobe walls, log vigas, flat dirt rook, deeply set windows and zaguan entry. The variety of windows - from early 9/6 wood sash with small panes through late 19th century 2/2 tall sash windows to a variety of early 20th century small-paned casement windows - represent the development of wood windows in New Mexico over a 100 year period reflecting the greater availability of glass and more advanced woodworking tools which came with the Americans and European immigrants. The wood floors were probably added after 1860 and the porch is a turn of the century Anglo addition.

The period of significance is 1870 to 1932. This date does not necessarily reflect the date of construction. Dendrochronology dating of wood elements may help to document the date of construction of the earliest rooms of the house. The house was substantially complete with 17 rooms, its out buildings and corrals by 1870. The original larger property was subdivided in 1932 creating the current ten-acre parcel. By the 1950's it appears that only one member of the family lived in the home and the storeroom had been taken down. The house underwent a major remodeling in the 1970s by one of the descendants. Historic features like the earlier mud plaster, all finishes and some doors were plastered over, removed or replaced. The front porch roof was rebuilt.

Bernalillo County has contracted with Cornerstones Community Partnerships. The organization works in partnership with communities to restore historic structures, encourage traditional buildings practices, and reinforce cultural values. Based in Santa Fe, Cornerstones works primarily with rural Hispanic villages and Indian Pueblos in New Mexico and the southwest to restore historic structures. It encourages traditional building techniques and works to retain cultural heritage and foster civic pride through historic preservation.

Knowing that the younger generation is crucial to preserving the cultural traditions of the community, Cornerstones has developed special programs to teach young people traditional building skills.

The Hubble House Museum will provide demonstrations in the arts, crafts and cultural traditions of the Native Pueblo Indians as well as the Spanish and Colonial (Anglo) settlers. The museum will provide written and oral history elaborating on these three dominate cultures highlighting the history of Albuquerque's South Valley and the influences of the Hubbel family in that history. Hubbell House Alliance will coordinate with the local public and private schools on programs that will enrich the historic understanding and cultural values in our youth.