02 Mar Telluride Museum March: News from the Front Porch
Below is a note from the Kiernon Lannon, Director, Telluride Museum.
Museum is open for the Winter! Visit Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 am – 5 pm. (Last admission at 4:30 pm)
Call 970-728-3344 if you need assistance or email info@telluridemuseum.org
Go here for more about the Telluride Museum.
It’s getting to be that time of year again!
We know, we know; we finally just got some decent snow and here comes the Museum with its “Pop of Spring” talk. But good news, snow lovers, if the tradition continues, it’s going to dump snow when the Museum’s staff and lovely volunteers are wrapping up their time out at the table on Colorado Avenue during the last three days of Daffodil Days live sales.
Even though in some ways it might feel like winter has just arrived in the box canyon, we’re getting ready to bring the town its annual mid-winter pop of spring via our Daffodil Days fundraiser. We’re excited to launch the pre-event sale. Anyone who places their order during the pre-order window receives a $3 per bundle discount on the live sales price. As a reminder, all proceeds benefit both the Telluride Historical Museum and the American Cancer Society. The pre-order window closes on March 9th and orders can be placed online or by calling the Museum at (970) 728-3344.
As much as we’re looking forward to Daffodil Days, it also means that time is starting to run out on the season and our fantastic temporary exhibit, “You Are Here: Opportunity, Exploration, and Endurance in the San Juan Mountains.”
Featuring an array of incredible, rare, historic maps, the display explores how the American Southwest came to be navigated, understood, and exploited. These maps tell the story of the various groups who left their mark on this landscape, and how, in turn, the landscape shaped people’s experiences and helped chart the course that led us to where we are today. It’s one you certainly won’t want to miss, so if you haven’t come to see these historic treasures on display, it’s probably best not to wait.
In the spirit of looking ahead, we’ve also been very busy in our role as a San Miguel County Lead to the Southwest Colorado Local Organizing Committee helping to plan a slate of initiatives to commemorate the United States’ 250th and Colorado’s 150th anniversary in 2026. The section below goes into more detail on what the Southwest Colorado Local Organizing Committee has been planning, but if anyone has any questions or if you might like to be involved in the festivities, please contact executive director, Kiernan Lannon at kiernan@telluridemuseum.org.
For an organization that generally is perfectly content looking backwards (it’s kind of our thing), that is a whole bunch of looking ahead! But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves – we hope you are all enjoying the winter, and don’t forget that when you need a break from all that frolicking in the snow, your friends at the top of Fir Street would be delighted to see you.
Image courtesy Telluride Museum.
Happenings:
Daffodil Days!
Daffodil days are coming up! Get a discount off your daffodils by placing a pre-order now through March 9th! Normally priced at $15, pre-orders are $12 for a bundle of ten daffodil blooms, and all proceeds from the sale benefit the Telluride Historical Museum as well as the American Cancer Society.
All pre-sale orders will be available for pick up March 10-14 when the live sale is taking place. Delivery is available as an option for pre-orders of 5+ bundles. Museum typically sell out every year, so purchase in advance to make sure to get a bundle!
Order online at telluridemuseum.org/shop, or call 970.728.3344. Pick up your flowers at the Museum, or at the table on Main Street, located at the northeast corner of Colorado and Pine.
Want to help bring the pop of spring to the community? The Museum is seeking volunteers to help sell daffodil bundles during the live sales week. Contact executive director Kiernan Lannon at kiernan@telluridemuseum.org if interested. Thank you!
Artifact Spotlight
Stephen R. Fitzgarrald
This past January, the Telluride Historical Museum received a generous bequeathment from Robert Kellogg, the great-grandson of Stephen R. Fitzgarrald. Fitzgarrald was a well-respected attorney and citizen of Telluride, who served as Colorado’s Lieutenant Governor from 1909 to 1915.
Among the items are personal artifacts and ephemera that paint a vivid picture of Fitzgarrald’s political career and social engagements. Notably, the accession includes many documents from a 1911 tour Fitzgarrald took with fellow governors from the Western states. A series of invitations, programs, and photographs document their travels across the country, from formal banquets in Chicago and Philadelphia to a harbor cruise in Baltimore and receptions in Buffalo and St. Paul. The impressive 21-day, 21-city itinerary showcases a critical moment in early 20th-century American politics, when Western leaders sought to assert their states’ growing influence on the national stage.
The Western governors, including Stephen R. Fitzgarrald, pose for a photo in front of their designated train car, provided to them by the Great Northern Railway for their cross-country trip, courtesy Telluride Museum.
Museum Information:
America 250/Colorado 150
COMMEMORATING OUR PAST, PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE
On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will observe the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. One month later, on August 1, 2026, Colorado will celebrate 150 years of statehood. These twin milestones are an exciting opportunity to unite with fellow Coloradans and Americans around our shared ideals and imagine our future together.
The America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission was established by state legislation to guide Colorado’s commemorations in ways that enable all Coloradans to participate. The Telluride Historical Museum was thrilled to be invited to participate on the Southwest Colorado Local Organizing Committee, which will be responsible for planning community events, fostering historic preservation, developing educational opportunities, and more.
Learn more about the Organizing Committee’s efforts here.
Upcoming Annual Exhibit:
50 Years of KOTO!
Rita Robinson and Terry Selby in the KOTO studio, probably broadcasting the news. c. 1975-1978.
Wilkinson Public Library. Courtesy Museum.
The Telluride Museum is excited to announce its 2025-2026 annual exhibit will explore the 50-year history of our beloved community radio station, KOTO!
Everyone is invited to share any interesting stories, photos, or ephemera you might have about KOTO – email molly@telluridemuseum.org.
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