hotchkiss-crawford historical museum

The museum and cabin tour are extremely well done. Call ahead to make sure it is open as it is run by volunteers. The museum and cabin tour take an hour or so and are worth the time to stop.

My husband and I made a quick visit to this local musuem in downtown Hotchkiss on Sat afternoon in July while driving West Elk Loop. Easy access from Hwy92. Two volunteers who grew up in the area welcomed us and introduced the history of the area. We loved the guided cabin tour as we could hear the story from the volunteer, her childhood growing up on the farm, and how to use the articles displayed. Probably a good idea to make sure their opening before visiting. Worth to stop by.

The volunteers have done a fabulous job of restoring an old cabin adjoined to the museum. The displays are changed periodically, so you can visit often and have new, great experiences. They are providing wonderful programs of early families and development of the valley.

Amazing to find such a wonderful, historical museum in such a small town. The folks were knowledgeable and we spent a little more than an hour wandering through their displays. Call ahead to get their hours because it's volunteer staffed but well worth the stop.

It's surprisingly rich with authentic historical artifacts and photos, it tells the story of the first settlers in the area, and to top it all, has a wonderful herbarium, as part of the museum. The old cabin on the premises is fully furnished the way of the old times and the whole experience leaves you, once again, shaken by the stories of the people who settled the West.