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Arizona & New Mexico Postal History Society Established 1985

The Arizona & New Mexico Postal History Society was founded in 1985 in Tucson, Arizona. A small group of like-minded collectors gathered from the two Southwestern states and formed the Society with its purpose being: "To encourage, create, sponsor and guide research in the postal history of Arizona and New Mexico".

From Spanish and Mexican Colonialism to Territorial era mining camp grown to present day Statehood, there is a wealth of opportunities to study the many aspects of postal history related to postal envelope covers, postal routes, postal markings and cancellations and the pioneering, enterprising folks who endeavored to bring this all to daily success.

The purpose of the AZ and NM Postal History Society is to educate as well as entertain its members concerning both AZ and NM postal history and background. The Society is also involved in editing and publishing a quarterly publication, "The Roadrunner" which affords its members a forum for their philatelic holdings.

Betty Cole Ortega: Veteran, Trading Post Proprietor And Postmaster in Prewitt, New Mexico

February 2026

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Betty describes a typical day as Prewitt, New Mexico's postmaster, “At 8 a.m. raise the American flag, unlock the front door, wait for the mail carrier to bring the mail bags. Sort mail into the boxes and provide help to the patrons. Hand out general delivery mail, sell stamps & send parcels. Clean everything when needed. Closed for one hour lunch. Lots of book work keeping daily & monthly accounts. Balance the cash drawer, send deposit to bank. Get the office ready for the next day. Put the cash drawer into safe and lock. Lock the front door. Take down the flag. At five p.m. lock the back door and walk a short distance to our house. Responsible for outside care. Lots of hell in the winter. I loved it!!”