Colorado's Pioneer Museums: A Fascinating Look At State History

Colorado is home to more than 350 museums dedicated to various subjects. About 100 of these are dedicated to Colorado history. Some of our favorite museums are committed to the pioneer spirit of our state and the Old West.

Why are Colorado's pioneer museums considered a must-visit stop for history lovers? Maybe it is because Colorado's story is so interesting. Visiting Colorado's Pioneer Museums is a great way to learn more about the gold rush, 14er conquests, and the Ute Indians who lived here before us.

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Colorado Loves Historic Artifacts

Name: Pioneer Town Museum
Location: Cedaredge, CO
Address: 338 S Grand Mesa Dr, Cedaredge, CO 81413
Online: Pioneertown.ORG
Historic Period: 1880s to mid-1900s

You can stroll along wooden boardwalks and visit authentically restored buildings like Coalby General Store, a blacksmith shop, and the train depot. If it's artifacts you love Pioneer Town is home to the Sutherland Indian Museum, featuring one of Colorado's largest arrowhead collections. You can also view the Doris' Doll and Toy House, showcasing a variety of handcrafted dolls, offering diverse historical details.

See Colorado History Come To Life

Google Street

Name: Gunnison Pioneer Museum
Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Address: 803 E Tomichi Ave, Gunnison, CO
Online: GunnisonPioneerMuseum.com
Historic Period: 1880s – 1960s

Seeing the historic structures of Colorado's past restored is another fun reason people like to visit pioneer museums. At the Gunnison Pioneer Museum, more than 30 buildings have been restored giving you a first-hand look at what life in the Rockies was like in the 1880s. See the Paragon School House, Alonzo Hartman's Post Office, and Sargents Depot, which was relocated from Sargents, Colorado.

Exhibits: A Unique Colorado Connection

Google Street

Name: Tread of Pioneers Museum
Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Address: 800 Oak St., Steamboat Springs, CO, 80487
Online: TreadofPioneers.org
Historic Period: 1880s – Early 1900s

The Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, offers several notable exhibits. One of the most popular is the 1901 Victorian house featuring period-furnished rooms offering a glimpse into early 20th-century life. The "American Indian Arts and Technology" exhibit showcases an impressive collection of Native American art, including weaving, pottery, basketry, and beadwork, highlighting the region's rich cultural heritage.

MORE: 11 Endangered Places in Historic Western Colorado

Western Colorado is loaded with interesting historical sights. Many are open to the public and are well cared for, but others are in danger of being lost to time and legend. Keep reading to learn more about eleven endangered places you should check out in Western Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

LOOK: Alphabetical Tour of Colorado's Ghost Towns

There are over 300 ghost towns peppered throughout the state of Colorado. Some of these towns are very well preserved with a few residents. Others are completely abandoned with very little left to explore. Regardless, venturing through one of these towns will give you a look into Colorado's rich mining history.

MORE: 13 Cool Facts About Western Colorado's Dolores River

Only a small number of rivers around the world flow Northward, and Colorado's Dolores River is one of them. Stretching for nearly 241 miles, the Dolores River is almost as long as the Grand Canyon. Its waters help the Colorado River continue through Utah and reach millions of Americans West of the Centennial State.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

Source: Why Colorado’s Pioneer Museums Are Must-Visit Stops for History Lovers