Walk Through Time at History Colorado Center
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. So the adage goes. In Downtown Denver, the History Colorado Center presents a varied look at the history of the state, offering some glimpses into the dark times in the State’s history as well as challenging visitor’s to positively impact the future of the state.
We took a trip to the museum where we were able to discover the past, play on some interactive exhibits, and suggest ways to impact the future of the state.
Destination Colorado
The History Colorado Center is a four-floor interactive museum.
The first floor has a diorama of Denver from the 1800s, gift shop, and café in at the entrance. After paying your admission fee, you head into the foyer, which has a massive topographic floor map of the state.
Then, you can head into Destination Colorado where you will get a feel for what life in Colorado was like in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Within this area, you’ll find a replica schoolhouse, a farmhouse, a barn, a general’s store, and a train depot.
Our kids enjoyed the interactive aspect of the area as they were able to drive a Model T in a simulated ride, glide down a barn slide, collect eggs from the chickens to turn in at the general’s store, and see the prices of stock goods (and play on an old time cash register) at the store.
They also got to go to Keota school, a one-room school house and through the magic of computers, register as part of the class.
Colorado Stories
On the second floor, we found a number of exhibits explaining the history of the state, from the ancient Puebloan people of Mesa Verde to Modern Denver attractions.
The History Colorado Center is unafraid of showing some of the darker periods of Colorado History, including the Japanese internment camps of WWII, Ku Klux Klan activity in the 1920s, and the brutal massacre of native Americans by derelict soldiers at Sand Creek.
The museum does a great job of paying tribute to the people and cultures that have made Colorado what it is today. In addition to paying homage to Native Americans, there also are tributes to Japanese and Hispanics.
Trading and Mining
We found a replica of Bent’s Old Fort, a Santa Fe Trail stop where peoples of many nationalities came to barter and trade. The fort, burned down in the 1860s and rebuilt in the 1970s, is a National Historic Site in La Junta, Colorado.
Mining played a big part in the settlement of Colorado during the 1800s. To honor that history, we entered a “mine.” After taking an “elevator ride” down to the mine shaft, we went on a journey led by a mysterious miner. He showed us the ins and outs of mining. The kids enjoyed carefully setting off faux- TNT to blow away rock from a new mining site.
Mountains of Fun
With so many mountain peaks in the state, it might seem obvious that skiing is a big deal in Colorado. The museum pays tribute to this history, with displays of ski lifts, Olympic medals won by local skiers, and a simulated ski jump which gives you the chance to get a long jump in and score a perfect landing.
Capital City
Denver is the capital of Colorado, and the largest city in the state. The museum walks you through the history of the city with an alphabetical tour of the city.
Our son enjoyed trying on a barrel, made famous by Bronco Guy, who used to attend all Denver Broncos football games wearing said barrel.
Living West
Long before Europeans set foot in Colorado, the Puebloan people made the state home.
Mesa Verde is perhaps the most famous place where these cliff dwellers made their home and established a civilization.
The area is now a U.S. National Park. But the museum also pays homage to the region with a big display featuring baskets and pottery recovered from the area. There also are dioramas of the cliff dwellings. You can try your skill at painting pottery or weaving a basket with interactive displays.
The Great Depression and Dust Bowl
The 1930s were a difficult time for the United States.
In addition to the Great Depression, Colorado and other states experienced a devastating drought and Dust Bowl.
Baca County, in extreme southeast Colorado, faced a hard hit. One of the more interesting exhibits at the museum includes displays about the Dust Bowl and its affect on the state.
We were fascinated by the video and audio presentations. You enter a house, and travel to a time when a 14+ hour dust storm covered the region in berms 14-20 feet high.
Modern Colorado
As the state has moved into the 20th and 21st Centuries there have been multiple changes, including a sharp population growth, and infrastructure.
You can see how the growth has impacted the state as you take a tour through an exhibit that features the opening of the Eisenhower tunnel on Interstate 70 and examples of population growth in the Rockies.
Throughout this exhibit, guests are given opportunities to see how carbon emissions and human population have adversely effected the region, while allowing guests the opportunity to learn and make changes to stop some of the adverse effects going forward.
Zoom In
The third floor has rotating exhibitions. When we visited, the exhibit was called Zoom In, and featured 100 objects that tell the story of Colorado history. We loved seeing some of the older artifacts, including 12,000 years old arrowheads, Spanish coins, and a jacket worn by Kit Carson.
Our Take of History Colorado Center
The History Colorado Center is worth a visit. Our family learned a great deal about the history of the state, and added a few locations to our travel bucket list. There are plenty of interactive displays to keep the kids entertained while the parents can read the placards and take in the stories and facts about the state.
What do you think? Have you visited the museum? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
You Might Also Enjoy
Discover some Prehistoric Locations Around Denver.
Learn about Six National Park Sites in New Mexico you don’t want to miss.
Read our Complete Guide to Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park.
All photos and content are by Family Well Traveled and use of photos or content without permission will result in legal action.
