Celebrate the debut of the Museum’s newest exhibit with refreshments and fun on June 1 from 5:30-7:30 pm during First Thursday Art Walk. All are welcome to attend this free event!

Experience the wild history of the gateway to Telluride!

Turning the corner towards Telluride is a magical moment. Seasons reveal either a lush meadow full of lumbering elk and scampering prairie dogs or an icy winter carpet surrounded by snowy sandstone cliffs. This breathtaking valley floor corridor provides a natural gateway to our box canyon town. From native people’s seasonal hunting grounds to placer mines and cattle grazing, the floor has a diverse and often tumultuous history.

Ten years ago, after a long and emotional effort, the Town of Telluride acquired 572 acres of the Valley Floor through condemnation and today the floor is preserved as open space in perpetuity.

This exhibit explores the history of the Telluride valley from its geological formation to the modern-day preservation of The Valley Floor. With breathtaking photos and hands-on interactives including a beaver lodge replica, this exhibit is fun and educational for the whole family!

The Valley Floor: Changing Identities of a Telluride Treasure will open on June 1, and will be on display until March 2018.

Header photo Courtesy of Ryan Bonneau