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For such a small town, Golden has an amazing
number of really good museums.
| The Pioneer Museum was started in the 1930s
and has been collecting and interpreting
interesting Golden artifacts ever since.
It's a good place to learn about the Indians who
occupied this area prior to European
settlement. They also have nice displays
on domestic life of the pioneers, ranching,
mining, antique guns, and many of Golden's
historic businesses. They've recently
added an entire room of Western art, donated by
the Harmsen family (the founders of the Jolly
Rancher candy company). |
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Golden Pioneer Museum Patio - a great lunch
spot in the summer!
During the summer,
D'Deli runs a satellite operation selling lunch
and ice cream on the museum's patio, which
overlooks Clear Creek and the Living history
park. See
their web site to learn more....
The Astor House is one of the older
structures in Golden, having opened in 1867. During the years
that the territorial legislature met in Golden,
many of the legislators boarded at the Astor
House. It now serves as a museum, with the
hotel rooms set up to show how a legislator
might have lived (a roll-top desk for doing
business), or a cowboy, or a family (in a
multi-room suite). The dining room/parlor
on the first floor are full of interesting
artifacts, such a stereopticon and a piano that
the guests would have used for entertainment,
and the kitchen is stocked with antique food
preparation tools. The Astor House
presents a very popular series of
"teas" featuring performances or
lectures and, yes, a yummy high tea. See
their web site to learn more....
This
collection of old buildings on the South side of
Clear Creek is one of my favorite spots in
town. The buildings in the park are not
original to the site; instead, they are all
buildings that were slated for demolition in the
mountains West of town. A number of
Golden-area residents attended school in the one
room Guy Hill School House. The Reynolds
cabin, root cellar, blacksmith shop, and chicken
coops are all relicts of pioneer times.
The Park has run a very popular summer camp for
many years, where children learn pioneer living
skills. See
their web site to learn more....
The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
has really put us on the map with the large and
enthusiastic cult of quilters! People
travel from all over the world to visit our
museum. Their quilt exhibits change
several times each year. They also offer
education programs and a wonderful gift
shop. See
their web site to learn more....
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OK, this isn't quite a
"museum." Foothills is a
highly-respected art center with juried exhibits
that rotate throughout the year. They also
offer classes and lectures. From
Thanksgiving till Christmas each year they host
a holiday art market which offers great, unique
arts and crafts. See
their web site to learn more....
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This museum wins the prize for the biggest
artifacts in town! They have a fascinating
collection of old trains--engines, cabooses,
passenger cars--dating from the 19th
century. Several times a year, they offer
a "steam-up," where they start one of
their old engines and take visitors on a ride
through the museum grounds. Their museum
building also contains a huge model railroad set
up and lots of interesting railroad
memorabilia. Popular with railroad
enthusiasts, children, and people who never
thought they were particularly interested in
trains, this museum draws people from all over
the country and is always a good place to take
visitors. See
their web site to learn more....
Almost a hundred years after his death, the
showman Buffalo Bill still exerts a sense of
romance about the old west. This museum
exhibits his show posters, costumes, and tells
of his long and colorful life. ISee
their web site to learn more....
The CSM Geology Museum showcases minerals and fossils from Colorado and around the world.
The upper floor exhibits exquisite mineral collections as well as displays on Colorado mining
districts. The lower level of the Museum holds many educational displays. These include fossil, meteorite, mineral properties, and interactive radioactivity displays. The highlight of the lower level is a walk-through faux uranium mine. Within the mine is a photomontage showing Colorado miners at work, a display of mine lamps through time, display about radon, and a collection of fluorescent minerals. A short walk along the nearby CSM Geology Trail provides visitors with a chance to view fossilized palm trees, dinosaur footprints, palm frond imprints along with an overlook of Golden.
See
their web site to learn more....
Located a few miles south of Golden is a
world-renowned "outdoor museum"
dedicated to the dinosaur discoveries made here
in the Golden area. Many dinosaur fossils
have been extracted from this area, and
fossilized footprints are easy to spot.
The museum includes a visitors center and trails
filled with interpretive signs to help visitors
understand what they're seeing in the rock
formations. See
their web site to learn more.... 
Golden Oldy Cyclery is a private
museum in the owner's house. It's a
fascinating collection of antique bicycles,
professionally displayed and interpreted.
The owner/curator of the collection often loans
his bikes to other front-range museums and makes
frequent appearances in Golden events, riding
his high-wheeled bicycles. The museum
holds occasional open houses. Visits at
other times are by appointment. See their web site to learn more.... 
The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering
Museum is opening in Golden, Colorado in winter 2008.
Their staff tell us,
"This dynamic, interactive museum will focus on mountains, mountaineering, and mountain cultures, and will also include exhibits on Colorado, including the 10th Mountain Division. A collaboration between the Colorado Mountain Club, the American Alpine Club, and the National Geographic Society, the museum will allow visitors to experience mountains in new ways with an entrance way over a crevasse, and interactive elements which allow guests to use climbing gear on faux rock formations within the exhibit hall. Mountain safety, global climate change, sacred summits, and mountains and popular culture will all be discussed among other things. This one-of-a-kind, national museum will provide visitors with a fascinating way to learn more about this global resource. We invite you to watch our progress on our blog at
bwamm.blogspot.com."
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