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. This county became official in 1882. The museum building itself is very old and special. It used to be the Denver and Rio Grande Depot. This building is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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A Look Back: The Museum's Story
The Montrose County Historical Museum is located in the original Denver and Rio Grande Depot. This building was built in 1912 in downtown Montrose, Colorado. In the late 1800s, narrow gauge railroads were the main way to travel. Trains helped Montrose grow by carrying people and goods every day.
From Train Station to Museum
In the 1920s, fewer people used trains. Cars and trucks became very popular. Because of this, railroads stopped offering regular passenger service. The depot stopped being a train station in the 1950s. In 1972, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company gave the depot and its land to the city of Montrose. They wanted it to be used as a museum. The Montrose Historical Society has been running the museum there ever since. Many visitors from Colorado, the United States, and other countries come to see it.
What You Can See: The Collections
The Montrose County Historical Museum has many items donated by the first families of the region. These items help tell the story of Montrose. If you are doing research, the museum has local newspapers from 1896 to 1940. It also has hundreds of photos and a database of historic buildings. You can find local books and records there too.
Inside the Old Depot
The museum explores many parts of Montrose's history. You can learn about Native Americans, homesteaders, and farmers. There are also stories about ranchers, railroad workers, and miners. A tour inside the old depot shows what life was like long ago in Montrose.
- The ticket room is now called the railroad room. It has original tools used to build the Gunnison Tunnel. You can also see old cameras, miner's tools, and railroad items.
- The electrical room shows rare items from Ames, Colorado. This was the first place in the world to use alternating current electricity.
- Upstairs, you will find antique toys, dolls, and school supplies. There are also musical instruments. These include a grand piano from the Gray family. You can also see a World War I Edison Phonograph and a rare Victrola player.
- The freight room holds the original freight scale. It also has farm tools, saddles, and typewriters. There is even a general store with shelves full of old items.
Most of the items, about 90%, are from Montrose itself. The rest are from nearby areas.
Outside in the Courtyard
About half of the museum's items are outside in a large courtyard. These include old car parts, farm equipment, and carriages. You can see a stagecoach that traveled between Montrose and Durango. There is also an ice wagon and several tractors. Two of the tractors have been fixed up.
The museum also has two log cabins in this courtyard.
- The Lashley Cabin shows how early settlers lived. It has a traditional bed, kitchen, and simple furniture. A mother and her five children once lived in this cabin.
- The Cowboy Cabin has items related to Montrose's farming history.
The outdoor collection also includes a train caboose from the Union Pacific train route. This caboose was a living and working space for train conductors. They used it on trips between Denver and Salt Lake City.
Getting Involved: Public Events
The Montrose County Historical Museum often interacts with the public. They offer tours, special exhibits, and other events. The museum works closely with the city government and tourism groups. They also partner with the county and the Montrose Recreation District.
Community Celebrations
One event is the annual Fourth of July parade. This parade goes down Main Street in Montrose. The museum has a float in the parade. It helps teach local people and tourists about the museum and its history. Another popular event is a series of historical walks. These are guided tours that explore historical places in Montrose and nearby areas. Popular walks include the prohibition walk and the ghost walk during Halloween.
Special Museum Events
The museum also hosts its own events. One is the Pioneer Social. At this event, families of local pioneers are invited to share their family history. This helps educate the community about Montrose's past. Another event happens during the annual Youth Appreciation Day. The museum offers a free scavenger hunt for students. They also have historical activities like panning for gold. Kids can even try washing clothes from long ago. The museum also connects with people through its Facebook page.
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