Armstrong, Ruth

Ruth Armstrong and family at Acoma Pueblo. Part of the Ruth W. Armstrong Pictorial Collection PICT 000-481 (Box 1, Folder 5).

Although she received her college education in Oregon and California, travel writer Ruth Armstrong lived in New Mexico most of her life. In addition to writing numerous articles about New Mexico for magazines and newspapers, and contributing to many guidebooks, she has published or made contributions to several books about New Mexico. These books include New Mexico From Arrowhead to Atom, a history of the state for newcomers; High Country Vacationing, a book about west-central New Mexico; Promised Land: a history of the Sangre de Cristo land grant; The Chases of Cimarron: birth of the cattle industry in Cimarron County, l867-l900; and Enchanted Land, New Mexico, a photograph book co-authored with Harvey Caplin, and Cycle of Seasons in Corrales, which was her last book.

Mrs. Armstrong spent l963-l973 with the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce in the Information Office of the Convention Department, and later as Director of the Tourist Department. In 1970, she became a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. Armstrong served as the Director of the New Mexico Film Commission from l973 to l975, at which time she resigned so that she could write full time. She was an active member and board member of the Albuquerque Historical Society and a founding member of the Albuquerque Museum. Ruth Armstrong died in her home in Corrales on February 1, 1993.