Montrose County Historical Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1973 |
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| Location | Montrose, Colorado |
| Type | History museum |
The Montrose County Historical Museum is a cool place in Montrose, Colorado, USA. It was started in 1973 by the Montrose County Historical Society. Their main goal is to save and show off the history and culture of Montrose County and the areas around it. The museum building itself is very old and special. It's called the Denver and Rio Grande Depot. This building is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
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Discovering Montrose History
The Montrose County Historical Museum is located in an old train station. This building was built in 1912. Back in the late 1800s, narrow-gauge trains were the main way people traveled and moved goods. These trains helped Montrose grow a lot.
From Train Station to Museum
In the 1920s, fewer people used trains. Cars and trucks became more popular. Because of this, train companies stopped offering passenger service. The train station stopped being used in the 1950s.
In 1972, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company gave the old station to the city of Montrose. They wanted it to become a museum. The Montrose Historical Society has been running the museum there ever since. Many people from all over the world visit the museum.
Exploring the Museum's Collections
The Montrose County Historical Museum has tons of cool stuff. These items were given by the first families who lived in the Montrose area. They help tell the story of Montrose.
Inside the Old Depot
When you go inside the old train station, you can imagine what life was like long ago.
- The old ticket room is now called the railroad room. It has tools used to build the Gunnison Tunnel. You can also see old cameras, mining tools, and train items.
- The electrical room shows off rare items from Ames, Colorado. This was where the world's first alternating current power plant was located.
- Upstairs, you'll find antique toys, dolls, and school supplies. There are also musical instruments. These include a grand piano, an old Edison Phonograph from World War I, and a rare Victrola player.
- The freight room has the original scale used for weighing goods. You'll also see farm tools, saddles, typewriters, and a general store display.
Most of the items, about 90%, are from Montrose itself. The other 10% are from nearby areas. The museum works hard to honor the first people who settled in Montrose County.
Outdoor Exhibits and Cabins
About half of the museum's items are outside in a big courtyard. Here, you can see old car parts, farm equipment, and carriages.
- There's a stagecoach that used to travel between Montrose and Durango.
- You can also see an ice wagon and several old tractors. Two of these tractors have been fixed up.
The courtyard also has two old log cabins.
- One cabin is called the Lashley Cabin. It shows how simple homes were for the first settlers. It has a bed, a kitchen, and basic furniture. A mother and her five children once lived in this cabin.
- The second cabin is the Cowboy Cabin. It has items about farming and ranching in Montrose.
You can also see a train caboose from the Union Pacific train route. This caboose was where train conductors lived and worked. It traveled between Denver and Salt Lake City.
Getting Involved with the Museum
The Montrose County Historical Museum loves to connect with people. They offer different tours, special shows, and events.
Community Events
The museum works with the city and tourism groups. They join in many local activities.
- One big event is the annual Fourth of July parade. The museum has a float in the parade. This helps people learn about the museum and Montrose's history.
- The museum also leads historical walks. These guided tours explore interesting places in Montrose. Popular walks include the prohibition walk and the ghost walk during Halloween.
Special Museum Programs
The museum also hosts its own events.
- The Pioneer Social invites families of early settlers. They share their family stories and history with the community.
- During Youth Appreciation Day, the museum hosts a free scavenger hunt for students. Kids can also try panning for gold. They can even try washing clothes the old-fashioned way.
- The museum also shares its history on its Facebook page.
See also
