Millicent Rogers, the granddaughter of Standard Oil founder, Henry Huttleston Rogers was a socialite, fashion icon and designer’s Muse, an Art collector, jewelry designer and taste-maker extraordinaire.

Born and raised on the East Coast, Millicent spent almost two decades traveling between Europe and the States, with lengthy periods abroad which informed her impeccable taste and style. Taos and the American West inspired her to take new risks and further push the boundaries of Fashion and Design, and all of this exploration in the realm of aesthetics is evident in her eclectic Taos home.

Taos also influenced her political decisions; she became an activist for Native American Rights and was a central force in Taos Pueblo becoming a World Heritage Site. A lifetime advocate for Human Rights, although it is little known, while living in Austria, she also indirectly through deeds and actions, saved the lives of many Jews fleeing Hitler’s Reich.

In 1947, Rogers had retreated to Taos, perhaps somehow knowing she had less than a decade of her life left, immersed herself in the Native Culture and slowed herself and her life down. This is where she created her last but most loved home; the incredible Hacienda she named Turtle Walk.

While living here, she purchased more than 2,000 Native artifacts, and in 1951, Rogers and several prominent friends (including Taos based writer Frank Waters), hired lawyers and visited Washington, D.C. to promote the issue of Indian Rights. She successfully lobbied for Native American Art to be classified as Historic, and therefore protected.

When Millicent died in January of 1953, the property passed onto her heirs. Her three sons (Peter Salm, Arturo and Paul Peralta – Ramos) cared for it and set up a Foundation and Museum in their mother’s name, but it was her middle child Arturo Peralta – Ramos and his wife Jackie, who occupied it during the summer months and kept the spirit of the home alive.

Both Arturo and Jackie passed away over the last year while living at Turtle Walk. They had moved to be here full time (from New York) only a couple of years prior. They loved the house and Jackie who had a strong sense of design herself, has left her imprint on it as well.

Arturo spent much of his time at home in his office/study, except for when he drove his ancient station wagon (at high-speed) to the Ranchos Trading Post at noon for his ritual luncheon. He ate more or less the same thing every day; a steak pounded to a thin sliver, accompanied by Pasta Alfredo. No vegetables ever. He hated them. A head of chopped garlic in olive oil was soaked up by good sour dough bread. Red wine always and many cigarettes.