THE OLDEST HOUSE IN THE USA / LA CÁS ANTIGUA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS

Some unpolished writing does nothing to mar the wonder in this very simple introduction to an (arguably) 800-year-old house and its residents—living or otherwise.

Floating over the solid-looking, pink adobe dwelling at the center of Madrid’s thickly brushed southwestern scenes, angels Teresa and little Annie tell its stories. They exchange matter-of-fact comments about the house—built as part of a pueblo in the 13th century—and the succession of Pueblo, Tlaxcalan and Spanish people (including a governor and “a couple of women healers”) who kept it refurbished and occupied as the town of Santa Fe was founded and grew up around it. “And then,” concludes Teresa, “there’s the old ghost.” “I know who you mean,” says Annie. “He seems nice.” Printed in different colors, the English and Spanish versions of the conversation run side by side on each left-hand page. A final line is line rather abruptly delivered by the author following Angel Teresa’s claim that the ghost may even once have been caught on film.

A quick and charming glimpse of our history, with a whiff of the supernatural for extra gusto.