The Colorado Day celebration includes free admission on August 1 at the History Colorado Community Museums

PUEBLO
In honor of Colorado’s 141st birthday, History Colorado’s Community Museums  throughout the state will be celebrating Colorado history on August 1st.  Join us for fun hands-on ways to celebrate Colorado’s wild, colorful, historical, traditional and modern culture.

On August 1, 1876, Ulysses S. Grant signed the proclamation that made Colorado the 38th state. Now, 141 years later, “Colorado Day” is a time to celebrate what makes Colorado a unique and invaluable part of the United States.

“By empowering Coloradans in understanding and celebrating our rich history, we can all work together and look to building a better future,” said Steve W. Turner, Executive Director of History Colorado.

From historic homes to adobe forts, each museum tells the history of Colorado’s many cultures and prominent figures. This year, the Ute Indian Museum’s expanded and renovated museum in Montrose joined the museums to offer their new exhibits beginning June 10.

For information on scheduling tours and programming, contact 719-583-0453.

What to see:

• Byers-Evans House Museum, Denver: Celebrate Colorado’s birthday with free guided tours of the Byers-Evans House Museum. Tours will be offered at 10:30. 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 on a first come, first served basis with limited space available on each tour. Gallery and gift shop are free every day and tours are free for children (18 and younger) through Labor Day.

• El Pueblo History Museum, Pueblo: Colorado Day will be celebrated with FREE ADMISSION, a Colorado birthday cake and a full day of Colorado-themed activities in the museum’s trading post and exhibit galleries. Colorado Day is also the final day to view the Salt Creek Memory Project exhibit, which combines community memory, arts, oral history, and history to commemorate the Salt Creek neighborhood in Pueblo County. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center, Fort Garland: Enjoy hands-on history as you tour this historic adobe fort. Free admission on Colorado Day. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Fort Vasquez, Platteville: We’re celebrating with FREE admission for the day and a some cake! Stop by and explore Colorado’s history in our exhibits and peruse the selection of new items including Fort Vasquez T-shirts and Ball caps in the gift shop! Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin, Leadville: Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin will be open daily with guided house tours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Trinidad History Museum, Trinidad:  It’s a Colorado Carnival, complete with a petting zoo! Come enjoy balloons, prizes, hot dogs in the horno, and carnival games and prizes! Free for kids. Open 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

• Ute Indian Museum, Montrose: The newly renovated and expanded museum re-opened on June 10 to the public with new exhibits, new gift shop and beautiful architecture and design that reflects Ute culture. Free on Colorado Day. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.