Destination guide for Denver’s History Colorado Center.
The History Colorado Center is one of eleven museums and historic sites in a network operated by History Colorado, a charitable organization established in 1879. These museums and sites tell the story of Colorado’s rich history and diverse communities through a series of well-curated exhibits and immersive experiences that captivate the imagination, share forgotten history, and foster learning.
Visiting History Colorado Center
Located in Denver’s Golden Triangle, History Colorado Center is an impressive museum that spans five floors and showcases exhibits displaying noteworthy moments in Colorado’s history, including its impact on Native American tribes and contribution to ending World War II. I have visited hundreds of museums across the world, and the History Colorado Center now ranks as one of my favorites!
I visited History Colorado Center on a Monday morning (Labor Day holiday), and it was not crowded. I had about 3 hours to spend at this site, so I prioritized exploring the exhibits in the basement and those on the 3rd and 4th floors. I spent about 2 hours on just those exhibits. During my final hour in the museum, I walked through the 1st and 2nd floors, which had a handful of exhibits, including some with interactive components and activities for children (or adults who like to have fun).
I highly recommend this museum, especially for those passionate about history. The exhibits about the Sand Creek Massacre and World War II’s 10th Mountain Division were fascinating and masterfully curated. If you are like me and read everything in a museum, visiting the History Colorado Center could easily take a few hours.
Located inside the History Colorado Center is Café Rendezvous, which offers breakfast and lunch and a selection of coffees and teas.
Admission to the museum is $15 for adults and free for children and members of History Colorado.
History Colorado Center is one of the sites available on the Denver City Pass. This pass is a good way to save money if you plan on visiting several attractions during your time in Denver.
This museum offers many services for those who need additional support and accommodations. Visit History Colorado Center’s accessibility page for more information.
Exhibit Highlights
The 4th floor holds two interesting exhibits: The Sand Creek Massacre and Written on the Land. The first tells the story of how the U.S. betrayed the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes on what became the deadliest day in Colorado history, while the second tells the story of the Ute, the state’s longest continuous residents. The exhibit on the Sand Creek Massacre was very poignant and shared a history I was not taught in school. It was an incredible learning opportunity!
The 3rd-floor exhibit was The Centennial State in 100 Objects. This fun exhibit contained a hodgepodge of items, from flags to furniture to space travel relics. I love John Denver and his music, so it was an awesome experience seeing one of his guitars! It was also interesting to see Jack Swigert’s garment from the infamous Apollo 13 mission.
The basement exhibit on the 10th Mountain Division and its contributions in World War II was extremely interesting. It offers a comprehensive view of the division’s history, how soldiers trained for mountain warfare, and their many accomplishments. There were also displays showing their uniforms, tents, weapons, and equipment. The exhibit also contained items pertaining to the Nazi party plus a fez belonging to Benito Mussolini.
This exhibit has a lot of displays, and one could easily spend an hour checking out everything.
Travel Tip
The Denver Art Museum is about two blocks from the History Colorado Center, so both sites can easily be visited on the same day. That is what I did during my visit to Denver: the History Colorado Center in the morning, and then, in the afternoon, I grabbed lunch at the Denver Art Museum before checking out the artwork.
Resources
For additional information, visit the History Colorado Center’s website.
Leave a Comment