Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chambers Ranch
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3105 Gateway Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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| Area | 226 acres (0.91 km2) |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Robert Chambers, Thomas MacLaren |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival, Other, Western Stick |
| Website | https://rockledgeranch.com |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000599 |
| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1979 |
The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is a special place in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It's like a time machine! This living history museum and farm lets you see how people lived long ago. It's located near the beautiful Garden of the Gods.
At Rock Ledge Ranch, staff and volunteers dress in old-fashioned clothes. They show you what life was like in the Pikes Peak area from 1775 to 1910. The ranch has six different historical areas. These include an American Indian area from 1775-1835, an 1860s homestead cabin, and an 1880s garden. You can also see the 1874 Rock Ledge House, an 1890s blacksmith shop, and a fancy 1907 Edwardian Country Estate. The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is so important that it's on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Explore History: What You'll See
When you visit Rock Ledge Ranch, museum guides help you learn about the past. Each guide wears clothes from a specific time period. They show you how people lived their daily lives. You can discover how people dressed, cooked meals, and cleaned their homes. You'll also see how they did laundry and had fun. It's a great way to understand how people made a living in different eras.
Life on the Farm: Animals and Skills
The ranch has a working 19th-century blacksmith shop. You can see a blacksmith making things from metal. There's also a barn with horses and chickens. Sheep and a cow graze around the farm, just like they would have long ago. The people who work there show you old skills. They even let visitors try some activities! Over 100,000 people visit this museum every year.
Keeping History Alive: Community Support
A few years ago, around 2009, the ranch faced money problems. Its future was uncertain. But many people in the community wanted to save it. They started a big fundraising effort. This support helped the ranch continue its important work. It also created new ways for people to enjoy the site. Special events like "Fiddles, Vittles, and Vino" and a Shakespeare festival have been held there.
Visiting the Ranch: Admission Details
As of 2023, the cost to visit was USD$8 for adults. For kids aged 3 to 17, it was USD$4. It's a fun and educational trip for families and students.
