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Longmont Museum & Cultural Center facts for kids
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| Established | 1936 |
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| Location | 400 Quail Road Longmont, Colorado (United States) |
| Type | History museum |
The Longmont Museum & Cultural Center is an exciting place in Longmont, Colorado. It's a museum supported by the city, and its main job is to collect and share the interesting history and culture of the St. Vrain Valley. This valley is located in northern Colorado, and the museum helps people understand how life has changed there over many years.
Contents
History of the Museum
How the Museum Started
The Longmont Museum began its journey in 1936. It was first part of a group called the St. Vrain Historical Society. This society worked to preserve the history of the area.
Opening to the Public
In 1940, the museum officially opened its doors to visitors. Its first exhibits were set up in the carriage house at a place called the Callahan House. Imagine a museum starting in a building where horses and carriages used to be kept!
Becoming a City Museum
The museum grew over the years. In 1970, it became an official department of the City of Longmont. This meant the city government took over its funding and operations, making it a public resource for everyone.
A New Home for History
A big change happened in 2002. A brand new, modern building for the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center opened. This new home, located at 400 Quail Road in south Longmont, cost about $6 million to build. It almost doubled the space available for exhibits and programs, allowing the museum to offer even more to its visitors.
Growing Even Bigger
The museum continued to expand in 2015. This expansion added several important new areas. It included the 250-seat Stewart auditorium, which is a great space for performances and talks. An atrium and a new education center were also added, providing more room for learning and community events.
What You Can See and Do
The Longmont Museum offers many ways to explore history and culture. It has both permanent exhibits that are always there and special exhibits that change throughout the year.
Permanent Exhibits
The museum has two main exhibits that are always open for visitors:
- Longs Peak Room Interactive Gallery: This gallery lets you explore the history of Longmont in a fun, hands-on way.
- Front Range Rising: This exhibit focuses on the history of the northern Colorado Front Range region, showing how the area has grown and changed.
Special Exhibitions
Each year, the museum hosts about 6 to 8 special exhibits. These exhibits cover many different topics, from art to science and local history. Some past special exhibits have included:
- Return to Route 66: Photographs from the Mother Road
- Ansel Adams & Edwin Land: Art, Science and Invention – Photographs from the Polaroid Collection
- Edward Weston: Life Work
These special exhibits also feature art from local artists, explore current science topics, and dive deep into the history of the Longmont area.
Fun Programs and Events
The Longmont Museum is also known for its popular community programs:
- Día de los Muertos Celebration: Every year, the museum hosts a vibrant Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. More than 1,500 people come to see beautiful altars created by the community. They also enjoy traditional music and taste special foods like pan de muertos (bread of the dead).
- Discovery Days: This is a popular art and craft program designed for young children, usually ages 2 to 5, and their parents. It's a great way for little ones to get creative and learn.