We love little museums; whether they are a mishmash of local history or the hyper-focused outreach of a local utility. They all have something to offer. To date, the most unique and complete little museum we’ve visited is the Museum of the Mountain West in Montrose, Colorado. The Museum of the Mountain West is the collected life’s work of a single person! The owner and curator has collected everything from his simple collection of baubles to signature architectural pieces from historic buildings of the region. The collection can be roughly split into two areas: the inside “street” and the outside “town.”
The Main Street
Inside the main building are many storefronts. Each of these was an actual shop from the area, and each piece has been preserved. There is a general store, a dry goods store, a bar, and even two dentist offices from different eras, to name a few. Each “shop” is packed with artifacts appropriate to the time and purpose of the building. The clothier has sewing needles and whalebone corsets, the general store has sacks of beans, nails, and buttons. Along the walls are other artifacts that don’t fit the theme, from old radios to belt buckles and weapons.
The Town
Outside and arrayed around the main building is a collection of other homes, workshops, and even a church. All of these are preserved, relocated, or rebuilt at the Museum of the Mountain West, and several can be explored. The curators did an excellent job of staging these buildings in a logical order and not just crammed in. One can explore an old jailhouse complete with metal floors, walls, and ceiling. You can also poke your head in a schoolhouse before walking down the path to the teacher’s house. One thing that stuck out to us was the list of “dos and don’ts” for the teachers of the time. They had to abide by these rules or risk losing their jobs and accommodations.
Each building was again full of appropriate artifacts and set to showcase the era. All the town needed was reenactors to really pull you back into the pioneering time of the old West.
When you stop in to visit the Museum of the Mountain West, pay for the guided tour. These passionate docents know more about the grounds, history, and artifacts than could be recorded in a tome of trifold leaflets. They really bring the place to life and are worth every penny. Usually, we don’t pay for extra tours, but in this case, we’re so glad we did! Plus, when you get the guided tour, they take you into the stores and buildings that are otherwise closed to the public.
No matter whether you’re a history buff, a homeschooling family, or just enjoying a nice vacation, the Museum of the Mountain West is a sure hit!