Telluride Museum: Update!

05 Sep Telluride Museum: Update!

The following is a note from the Telluride Historical Museum, with a September update. Consider supporting the Museum here.

In August, Telluride Academy’s Thunder Theater program used the Museum as inspiration (and location) for its most recent performance, which took place at the beginning of the month. The three-week camp culminated in a performance inspired by Telluride’s history. We were happy to have hosted the group in our amphitheater and pleased the program was a success.

As the summer has worn on and we’ve gotten a better handle on our COVID protocols, we have adapted our visitation policy to accommodate some walk-ins. We strongly encourage you to call to make a reservation as that is the best way to ensure your visit. However, if you are walking by, and would like to come in, and we happen to have an open slot, we are happy to welcome you in.

To date, 191 people hit their stride on one of our walking tours this summer. Due to demand and popularity we are extending all tours through the month of October. Looking for other fun history activities? Check out “History at Home Mission: Prospecting.” Those missing the ever-popular sluice will love it. Pan for minerals, fossils, and gemstones from home. Call the Museum to book a tour or order a sluice kit, 970-728-3344.

In addition to extending our walking tours through October, we will begin Entertainment Tours this month, a collaboration with the Sheridan Arts Foundation. The tours will visit the red light district, stop at some of Telluride’s most famous watering holes and end with an interior tour and video at the historic Sheridan Opera House. Each tour also comes with a free beverage. The tour is only open to guests 21 and older. Please call the Museum to book.

Coming in October…Lamplight Cemetery Tours. These special tours will be offered  three nights only October 15, 22, 29, so make sure to reserve your spot in advance. They sell out.

Finally, we are excited to announce  conceptual and fine art photographer, Lindsey Ross, has begun to work on our collaboration. She will be doing a limited run of only 25 prints made from an image in the Telluride Historical Museum’s archive. Each print will be created in the historical method, originally used over 100 years ago.

Lindsey is a talented artist dedicated to her craft who has been featured at Mountainfilm and Telluride Arts’ Art + Architecture weekend (where she showed her work here at the Museum).

This is an incredibly special project and we are excited to share a slice of history with you.

If you are interested in supporting the Museum and purchasing one of our limited edition prints, please email Executive Director Kiernan Lannon at kiernan@telluridemuseum.org.

HISTORY AT HOME MISSION: PROSPECTING

This History at Home mission comes complete with mining rough filled with gems, minerals, and fossils, instructions, loot bag, gemstone and fossil guide to identify what you find, and a miner’s helmet.

This is a fun and exciting way to learn about and teach an important part of Telluride’s history and can be done with the whole family. History at Home Prospecting kits are $25 and mining rough refills will be available for purchase as well.
HIKE INTO HISTORY: ILIUM

September 12
Guests will learn about the history of the Ilium Valley including Telluride’s AC power story, the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, Vance Junction, and the Trout Lake Flood.

The hike, which is rated easy-to-moderate, is expected to take 2-3 hours and will happen rain or shine. Participants will meet in Ilium and should bring appropriate layers (including rain protection), sunscreen, a snack, and water $10 Member/$20 Nonmember.

ENTERTAINMENT TOURS

September 4 (sold out), 11, 25
The entertainment tour starts at the bottom of the Gondola and heads straight to the Red Light District (like many miners did on their days off). You’ll get the background of the ladies of the night then head up to Colorado Avenue to stop at some of Telluride’s most popular watering holes. The tour then ends with an interior tour of the historic Sheridan Opera House where attendees will receive one free drink! 21+ only. $30

LAMP LIGHT CEMETERY TOURS

October 15, 22, 29
Explore the iconic Lone Tree Cemetery in the ambiance and eeriness of lantern light. Led by Telluride Historical Museum’s Director of Programs and Exhibits, Theresa Koenigsknecht, this tour tells Telluride’s history through the stories of the rugged people that lived, worked, and were buried here.

SUMMER TOURS EXTENDED THROUGH OCTOBER

MONDAY
Pandemic Cemetery Tour
Join the Telluride Historical Museum’s newly revamped tour of Lone Tree Cemetery to learn real life stories of how pandemics and other illnesses affected those in Telluride and across our country. Find out what life was like in quarantine before modern technology and how people in the past approached the constant threat of devastating sickness.This tour has new research and content and is different from our previous Lone Tree Cemetery Tours.
11:00 a.m. Meet at the Columbia Ave. entrance to Lone Tree Cemetery.

$15 – Nonmembers
$10 – Members

TUESDAY

Town of Telluride Historic Walking Tour
One hour and fifteen minute walking tour with Ashley Boling featuring the stories behind historic sites and notable characters around town
11:00 a.m.
Meet at The Museum
$15 – Nonmembers
$10 – Members

THURSDAY

Town of Telluride Historic Walking Tour
Second offering
1:00 p.m.
Meet at The Museum
$15 – Nonmembers
$10 – Members

FRIDAY
Entertainment Tour
This tour will stop at Telluride’s most famous watering holes, swing through the red light district, and end with an inside tour + video at the Sheridan Opera House. Free glass of wine or beer with each tour. 21+ only. 9/4 SOLD OUT 9/18 No Tour
5:00 p.m.
Meet at Gondola Plaza down in town (by OAK)
$30 per person

Please call the Museum at (970) 728-3344 to reserve and pay for a slot on the tour. Because of limitations on group sizes, the Museum cannot accommodate walk-ups. All guests must pay at the time of booking.