In Denver’s beautiful Capitol Hill district sits the home that once belonged to James Joseph and his wife, Margaret “Molly” Brown. Purchased in 1894, the home was considered modern at the time as it had features such as electricity and indoor plumbing. When Molly died in 1932, the house was sold, and over the years, new owners repurposed and redesigned the home. In danger of being demolished, a group of citizens banded together to form Historic Denver and raise sufficient funds to purchase the home. They bought it on December 11, 1970, and were able to restore Molly Brown’s house to its former Victorian glory.
About Molly: Molly and her husband were avid travelers and philanthropists, having made millions as shareholders in the mining industry. They separated in 1909, but Molly continued her travels and, in 1912, boarded the ill-fated Titanic. She managed to escape the sinking ship and was eventually rescued by the Carpathia. The tales of Molly’s survival and her charitable efforts to help the less fortunate survivors thrust her into the national limelight and got her the nickname “Unsinkable Molly Brown.” She used her new fame to further her philanthropic efforts and activism, including becoming part of the women’s suffrage movement.
Visiting the Molly Brown House Museum
Given my interest in history and my love for historic homes, the Molly Brown House Museum was one of my top “must-see” sites when visiting Denver. Before visiting her home, I didn’t know much about Molly, but I left with a wealth of knowledge and a newfound respect for her and her accomplishments. The staff at the Molly Brown House Museum, through masterful curation, have done a superb job of bringing to life the story of Molly and her family.
When visiting the house, guests can explore independently or join a 45-minute guided tour. I generally join guided tours, but given the available resources, I opted to explore on my own at this site. Most rooms have a bin filled with images, information cards, and more, plus a self-guided tour is available via the Bloomberg Connect app. Also, staff are stationed throughout the house to answer questions.
What to see in the house? The Molly Brown House Museum consists of three floors and a basement. While touring the 1st and 2nd floors, visitors will see the rooms where the Browns lived, worked, and entertained guests. The 2nd floor also has two exhibits: Titanic and Acquirement of Culture. The 3rd floor has an activity center and the servants’ bedroom. Finally, in the basement is the Natural Resource Center, which houses an exhibit about James Brown and Colorado’s mining history.
Admission for adults is $17, but discounts are available for certain age groups and Colorado residents. The guided tours are an additional $5 per person. No cost is associated with the Bloomberg Connect app, which can be downloaded via Google Play or Apple Store.
The Molly Brown House Museum has compiled a comprehensive list of services it offers to visitors who need additional support. For more information, visit its accessibility page.
Tour scripts are available in several other languages, including French, Italian, and Spanish.
This information card was very interesting. It is the insurance claim Molly submitted for items she lost during the sinking of the Titanic.
For those fascinated by the history of the Titanic, the gift store has a large selection of Titanic-related items.
Travel Tip
The Molly Brown House Museum is a short walk from the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park. The Colorado State Capitol is a great site for those interested in history, and free tours are available. For more information, visit this post.
Resources
Visit the Molly Brown House Museum website for more information.
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