Author Archives: Kiernan

Hike into History: Iron Mountain Mystery on September, 27th!

Purchase Tickets Here: Members | Non-Members

Join us for a hike to learn more about a local mystery! This hike will take place on the Iron Mountain Trail and Museum staff will be discussing the life and disappearance of Walter Snodgrass, a Telluride resident who disappeared under mysterious circumstances after visiting the Mountain Flower mine with two Out-of-towners in September of 1948. Come ready to share your theories and learn about Walter’s life and legacy! The trail is rated strenuous, with 1767 ft. of elevation gain and a round trip of 6.5 miles. Please pack weather appropriate clothing, a lunch, plenty of water, and sunscreen.

To learn more about the hike, and Walter Snodgrass, click here!

Call (970)728-3344, email cassie@telluridemuseum.org, or reserve your spot at www.telluridemuseum.org/shop

Join us for ‘An Evening with Ken Burns’ on August 24, 2025

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE:

$20 for Museum Members  |  $25 for non-members  |  $5 for students

Join us on Sunday, August 24th at the Michael D. Palm Theatre as renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns returns to screen Episode 3 (“The Hillbilly Shakespeare”) of his acclaimed documentary, Country Music. The evening will feature the screening, post-film Q&A, and book & DVD signing.

Doors will open at 5:30, screening will begin at 6:00PM.

PLEASE NOTE:

There are no physical/digital tickets for this event.  We manage entry via a check-in list.  In the event that there is a glitch and you are not on the check-in list, your confirmation email will allow you entry to the screening.

Online sales end on Saturday, August 23rd, at 11:59PM.

Celebrate the 4th with THM!

Come celebrate the 4th of July with the Museum!  Our annual root beer float fundraiser is back.  Come up the hill to the Museum after the parade to enjoy this summertime classic.  $5 per float.

Also, the Museum will be open from 1-5PM (with free admission)! So bring your friends and family to learn about the rich and interesting history of Telluride!

A Rare Medium, Well-Done: 50 Years of KOTO-FM

The Telluride Historical Museum is excited to announce their 2025-2026 annual exhibit: “A Rare Medium, Well-Done: 50 Years of KOTO-FM”. Founded in 1975, KOTO was born from a bold idea: a radio station built by the community, for the community.

For five decades, KOTO has remained a commercial-free, non-underwritten voice for Telluride – informing, entertaining, and connecting locals. The exhibit invites visitors to tune in to KOTO’s unique story – a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and the enduring importance of local media.

The exhibit features a special collaboration with the Pinhead Institute exploring the early history of radio, along with over 25 archival audio samples from KOTO’s rich past – made possible in large part by the Wilkinson Public Library. Visitors can also enjoy memories from former and current KOTO DJs and explore artifacts, photos, and milestones that trace the station’s evolution over the decades.

The exhibit opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 5 to 8pm. The event is free and open to the public, with refreshments provided. 

“A Rare Medium, Well-Done: 50 Years of KOTO-FM” will be on display at the Telluride Historical Museum from June 12th, 2025, through the close of the 2026 winter season (early April 2026). 

The Telluride Historical Museum will reopen for the 2025 summer season on Monday, June 2. Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm (last admission at 4:30pm). Saturdays are free for Telluride locals.  

 

Daffodil Days are Here!

This is your annual chance to support both the Telluride Historical Museum and the American Cancer Society.

Live sales are happening now through Friday, March 14, 2025! The cost is $15/bundle of 10 daffodils.  All proceeds benefit the Telluride Historical Museum and American Cancer Society. Pick up your flowers at the Museum, or at the table on Main Street, located at the northeast corner of Colorado and Pine. We will be there Monday, March 10 through Friday, March 14, from 11am – 4pm. 

FAQ

  • How many stems come in a bundle? 
    There are 10 stems in a bundle.
  • When can I pick up my pre-sale order?
    Orders will be available for pickup starting on Monday, March 10th.
  • Do you offer delivery?
    We do offer free delivery for anyone who orders 5 or more bundles.  Deliveries limited to Telluride, Mountain Village, Hillside, and Lawson.
  • Where can I pick up my order/purchase flowers during the live sales event?
    As of now, we are planning to have pick up and live sales at two locations – at the Museum and at the table on Colorado Avenue (at the North intersection of Colorado Avenue and Pine Street) from .
  • Do you ship daffodil orders?
    No, unfortunately due to the delicate nature of the daffodils we cannot offer shipping.

Museum Now Open for the 2024-2025 Winter/Spring Season!

We’re back and ready for the holidays! Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 3, we’re officially open for the winter season!  Visit the museum Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 AM – 5 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM). We will be closed Sundays, Mondays, Christmas, and New Years Day, and will close early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. 

Get into the holiday spirit with unique gifts from our shop – featuring ornaments, local history books, historical photos, apparel, and more. 

And don’t miss our annual exhibit, “You Are Here: Opportunity, Exploration, and Endurance in the San Juan Mountains,” on display through April 2025.

 
 

Hike into History: Eider Creek to Mill Creek Connector Loop with Telluride Mountain Club on Saturday, September 7, 2024

Hike into History: Eider Creek to Mill Creek Connector Loop with Telluride Mountain Club

Saturday, September 7, 2024, 9am

Meet at the Bottom of Mill Creek Road

Enjoy the last Hike into History of the season with behind-the-scenes insight on the history of our region’s trail system and the amazing work Telluride Mountain Club performs in our county. This new trail segment, completed in 2022, is just under 2 miles and connects the first switchback on Mill Creek Road and the Eider Creek Trail with the intersection of Deep Creek Trail and Waterline/Mill Creek Trail. In total, this moderate hike will be 3.7 miles and 859 ft of gain. Attendees will meet at the bottom of Mill Creek Road (just past the Shell Station) at 9am sharp. Pack snacks, water, sunscreen, and weather appropriate gear. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

SIGN UP & PURCHASE TICKETS HERE:

$20 NON-MEMBER TICKET PRICE  |  $15 MUSEUM MEMBER TICKET PRICE

OR, call 970-728-3344 or email theresa@telluridemuseum.org to reserve your spot.

An Evening with Ken Burns – Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024 at the Michael D. Palm Theatre

Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Michael D. Palm Theatre as renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns returns to screen his acclaimed film, Huey Long. The evening will feature the screening, post-film Q&A, and book & DVD signing. 

Doors will open at 5:30, screening will begin at 6:00PM.

$20 for Museum Members
$25 for non-members
$5 for students

Tickets are available online:

Click here to purchase general admission tickets. 

Click here to purchase Museum Member discounted tickets. 

Click here to purchase student discounted tickets. 

PLEASE NOTE:

There are no physical/digital tickets for this event.  We manage entry via a check-in list.  In the event that there is a glitch and you are not on the check-in list, your confirmation email will allow you entry to the screening.

Online sales end on Sunday, August 25th, at 1:00PM.

About Huey Long:

He was a populist hero and a corrupt demagogue, hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. Louisiana’s Huey Long built his remarkable career as governor and U.S. Senator on a platform of social reform and justice, all the while employing graft and corruption to get what he wanted. 88m 35s

Cruise into History! Join us on Sat., Aug. 10 to explore historic Ophir Town with Ophir Town Manager, John Wontrobski

Cruise into History: Historic Ophir Town with John Wontrobski, Town Manager of Ophir

Saturday, August 10, 2024, 9am

Meet at the Telluride Historical Museum at 9am or the Ophir Town Hall at 9:20am

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Join the Telluride Museum and John Wontrobski, Town Manager of Ophir, for a drive and walk through Ophir history. Ophir’s small-town, quirky personality has evolved throughout the decades and is an essential part of San Miguel county history. As our most moderate level “hike” this year, the tour will involve a combination of driving through Old and East Ophir, visiting historic buildings and sites, and a short hike towards National Forest Service boundaries. Preregistration is strongly encouraged. The tour leaves from the museum at 9am and lasts approximately 4 hours. A vehicle is required and carpooling is encouraged. With advance notice there may be options to carpool with museum staff. Participants can plan to meet at the Telluride Museum at 9am or the Ophir Town Hall at 9:20am. Pack lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate gear.

$20 for nonmembers or $15 for museum members.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE