Author Archives: Kiernan

Closed for the Season

After another fantastic summer season, the Telluride Historical Museum has closed for the Fall Offseason. During this time we’ll be getting ready for our big Halloween on the Hill event, which includes our Haunted Hospital, and completing routine maintenance and cleaning in preparation for our winter season.

Staff will generally be in the Museum during the offseason and the, from time to time, we may be able to open parts of the Museum for tours during the time we are closed (depending on the various maintenance tasks and programming that might be taking place). Please contact the Museum to inquire about tour availability or to schedule an appointment with Museum staff. We can be reached at (970) 728-3344 or at info@telluridemuseum.org.

Thank you to everyone who stopped in during the summer! And we hope to see you all at your Museum this winter!

Daffodil Days Delayed

Our springtime fundraiser, Daffodil Days, where we sell bundles of daffodils to benefit the Telluride Historical Museum and American Cancer Society, has been postponed.

Due to the extreme cold winter in Washington state (where we get our flowers) the daffodils we ordered are not yet ready to be cut. We’re confident we will receive them no later than March 25, and there is a very high possibility they might arrive sooner. Since it is all dependent on nature we do not have a specific date. Please stay tuned for details on our live sale. We will release info with the new dates as soon as we can.

We are still accepting pre-sale orders and we will notify purchases when the flowers are available for pick up and delivery. You can pre-order bundles by calling the museum at 970-728-3344 or online at: http://shop.telluridemuseum.org/daffodil-days-fundraiser/dp/700

Daffodil Days Return!

Daffodil Days is a fundraiser benefiting both the Telluride Historical Museum and American Cancer Society that takes place every March. The Museum sells bundles of daffodils for $15 each. There are 10 blooms per bundle.

Live sales take place March 11-16 at Alpine Bank, the community table on Mainstreet (Colorado Ave), and in Heritage Plaza in Mountain Village. You can also purchase a bundle up at the Museum.

Those interested can pre-order bundles starting on February 25 to guarantee their flowers. Orders of 5 bundles or more will receive free delivery. All other pre-orders will be available for pick up during the week of live sales.

THM Partners with Mountain Trip for ‘Excellent Adventure’

Telluride Historical Museum Partners with Mountain Trip for ‘Excellent Adventure’

Feb. 1, 2018 (TELLURIDE, Colo) – Telluride Historical Museum has paired with Mountain Trip, an outdoor guiding company, in what may seem like an unlikely partnership. The two have collaborated on an outing like no other. “Bill & Todd’s Excellent Ames Adventure” (named for Mountain Trip owners Bill Allen and Todd Rutledge) is a day trip to Ames on Saturday, February 9 that includes a tour of the historic Ames Power Plant followed by an intro to ice climbing class.

The adventure will start off with a special behind the scenes tour of the Ames Power Plant which was the first in the world to use long distance transmission of alternating current for commercial purposes successfully. Using technology perfected by Nikola Tesla, the Ames Power Plant harnesses hydro-power through an induction motor to produce and transmit electrical power. After the original burned down, the power plant was rebuilt in the early 1900s where it still stands and operates today. Local guiding company, Mountain Trip, which started started in 1973 will lead the group on some beginner ice climbs in the Ames area after the tour.

“Bill and Todd’s excellent Ames adventure” is a great opportunity to experience both the old and the new, and it is a testament to the Museum’s dedication to collaborating with different organizations around town. “This is the sort of fun and exciting partnership the Museum should be pursuing,” Museum Executive Director Kiernan Lannon said. “It allows us to think outside of out traditional box and do something different, while at the same time, it helps us show that history absolutely permeates this region. We’re extremely grateful to Todd and Mountain Trip for the opportunity to collaborate.” The Telluride Historical Museum has worked with many other local organizations including True North, The Pinhead Institute (a fellow Smithsonian Affiliate), Telluride Arts, The Wilkinson Public library, as well as others and is always looking to collaborate to help bring Telluride’s history to life.

The idea for this excursion came from a friendship and partnership that started with Telluride Historical Museum’s 2018 annual exhibit, Children of Winter Never Grow Old: Snow Sports in the San Juans. Theresa Koenigsknecht, Director of Programs and Exhibits reached out to Todd Rutledge and the Mountain Trip team for their expert knowledge on the history of ice climbing while doing research for the exhibit. Not only did they lend their valuable expertise but also generously loaned gear to display in the museum’s exhibit, which is on display through April 7. Rutledge expressed interest in working with local nonprofits and giving back to the community, and from there the two brainstormed on how to combine resources into a fun, one-of-a-kind excursion. “We’re so excited to offer this adventure,” states Koenigsknecht. “By providing all the gear, guides, and transportation, Mountain Trip is supporting the museum and creating a unique and affordable experience for locals.”

Cost for the ‘excellent adventure’ is $150 for non-members and $80 for museum members. This includes all equipment and transportation to and from Ames. Participants will meet at the Telluride Historical Museum at 9 a.m. to be outfitted and carpool to Ames. Space is limited to just eight participants and you can register by calling the Museum at 970-728-3344, visiting its website, or emailing theresa@telluridemuseum.org. For more information visit: bit.ly/ExcellentAmesAdventure.

The Telluride Historical Museum is a 501(c)3 founded in 1965. Sitting on the top of Fir Street, the Museum works diligently to preserve the rich, colorful and diverse history of the region and strives to bring this history to life through permanent and annual exhibitions, engaging programming, and insightful events.

Ski Into History

Hit the slopes with local storyteller Ashley Boling as he recounts Telluride’s past. The two hour tour across the Telluride Ski Resort will give a general overview of our region’s history from mining to skiing and will cover terrain that is mild to moderate. Tickets are $40 or $30 for members.

While open to beginners, first or second time skiers are discouraged from joining. A lift ticket is NOT included and all participants must have their own resort access, either season pass or lift ticket.

Space is limited for this event, so sign up early! To register, email Theresa@telluridemusum.org or call the Museum at 970-728-3344.

Participants will meet at painted phone booth at the base of Lift 4 in Heritage Plaza Mountain Village.

Museum Re-opening for Winter Season

The Telluride Historical Museum will re-open on Tuesday, Dec. 4 for the winter. Winter hours of Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. will continue throughout the season until April 7th.

Visitors to the THM this winter will experience the usual display in the permanent collections with a few rotations of artifacts such as historic clothes and other items in the first floor exhibits. The current annual exhibit on display, “Children of Winter Never Grow Old: Snow Sports in the San Juans” chronicles the regions love of outdoor adventure with artifacts ranging from historic ski boots and snowboards to hockey gear, broom ball, and curling equipment. There are even a few interactive displays and an original chair form the Telluride Ski Resort. If you haven’t seen the exhibit yet make sure to stop by and check it out before it closes April 7th. Most of the artifacts were supplied by Telluride locals showing Telluride Historical Museum’s authenticity and dedication to preserving local history and culture.

The Telluride Historical Museum closes during shoulder seasons for exhibition maintenance. During this time they do a thorough cleaning of the museum’s exhibits, collections and perform artifact conservation. Delicate pieces such as clothes and other textiles cannot be displayed for too long and must be rotated. This twice yearly maintenance helps preserve sensitive artifacts for years to come and also gives museum visitors an opportunity to see different items. Although it is a history museum things are always new and changing.

An Evening with Ken Burns Returns!

August 22, 2018

Ken Burns Returns to Telluride

Film Screening Followed by Q & A

The respected filmmaker returns to Telluride for the fifth edition of An Evening with Ken Burns presented by the Telluride Historical Museum at the Michael D. Palm Theatre on Sunday, August 24th at 5:30 p.m. There will be a screening of Episode 6, Things Fall Apart, from his ground-breaking documentary, The Vietnam War, followed by an audience Q & A and a book and DVD signing presented in conjunction with Between the Covers book store.

“We are honored to once again have America’s foremost documentary filmmaker lending his support to the Museum,” Telluride Historical Museum executive director Kiernan Lannon said. “We are particularly thrilled to be showing such an important film. Beyond the incredible technical achievements of the series, the documentary details one of the most crucial and transformational periods in American history. And, given the almost eerie parallels to what is going on with our present political situation, it is the perfect film to screen right now.”

The Vietnam War tells the epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history as it has never been told on film. The series explores the human dimensions of the war through revelatory testimony of nearly 80 witnesses from all sides. Episode 6: Things Fall Apart chronicles the eve of the Tet holiday, when North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched surprise attacks on cities and military bases throughout the south, suffering devastating losses but casting grave doubt on Johnson’s promise that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Ken burns has been making documentary films for almost forty years and is one of the most influential documentary filmmakers of all time. He has been honored with dozens of major awards, including fifteen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations; and in September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Vietnam War, a 10-part, 18-hour series co-directed by long-time partner Lynn Novick, debuted on PBS on September 17^th, 2017.

Ken burns is an advocate of history and a longtime supporter of the Telluride Historical Museum. Proceeds from the evening will support operating costs for the Museum which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to preserve the rich colorful history of the box canyon. Tickets are $20 for Museum members, $25 for non-members, and $5 for students, and can be purchased online at shop.telluridemuseum.org, or by calling the Museum.

The mission of the Telluride Historical Museum is to preserve the rich, colorful and diverse history of the region and bring it to life through permanent and annual exhibitions, insightful programming, and engaging events. Go to www.telluridemuseum.org for more information or stop by for a visit. Located at the top of Fir Street in the Historic Town of Telluride

PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Savage

Feasting on History

July 24th, 2018

The Telluride Historical Museum is excited to announce its 15th annual Feasting on History fundraising dinner. This year’s event, which will take place on Friday, August 17th, will be a progressive dinner hosted by Becky & Bill Deupree, Shari & Pete Mitchell, and Ingrid & Brian Poulin in the Adams Ranch area of Mountain Village.

In order to highlight the Museum’s newest annual exhibit, Children of Winter Never Grow Old: Snow Sports in the San Juans, the theme of this year’s Feasting will be snow sports. The evening will feature a guest speaker to give a short presentation on Telluride’s history as a winter playground, along with cocktails, a sumptuous dinner, delicious dessert, and a wide array of fantastic friends and supporters of the Telluride Historical Museum!

The night will kick off with a cocktail hour at the Deupree residence (102 Singletree Ridge, Mountain Village) at 6PM before proceeding to the Mitchell home (112 Singletree Ridge) for a seated dinner, and concluding at the Poulin house (110 Singletree Ridge) for dessert and dessert drinks. The Museum would like to thank its incredibly generous hosts for opening their beautiful homes for the event!

Tickets for Feasting are $250 with all proceeds supporting the Telluride Historical Museum’s mission of preserving and presenting the rich history and heritage of Telluride and the surrounding region, and can be purchased by clicking the link below or calling the Museum at (970) 728-3344. Seating is limited; get your tickets today!

To purchase tickets:

Family Night – We Need Your Help!

The Telluride Historical Museum is looking for volunteers for its Free Family Night at the Museum: Snow Sports in July.

The event, which is being held on Monday, July 30th, is being presented in partnership with the Wilkinson Public Library and revolves around the Museum’s new annual exhibit: Children of Winter Never Grow Old: Snow Sports in the San Juans.

Family Night kicks off on Monday, July 30th at 5:30PM and will feature pizza, food, and free admission to the Museum. Families will experience the rush of winter through hands-on stations focusing on snow sports and snow science. Guests can take away crafts and enter a free raffle for a chance to win exciting winter sports-themed prizes.

The Museum needs multiple volunteers to help with with the following positions:

Food management (5:15-7:15, approx. 2 hour shift)
Stamping/assisting at the activity stations (5:15-7:15 approx. 2 hour shift)
Photography (5:30-7:15 approx. 2 hour shift)
Tear down (7:30- 8pm)

Please contact Theresa Koenigsknecht, Director of Programs and Exhibits, with questions or to volunteer.

Email: theresa@telluridemuseum.org
Phone: 970-728-3344 x2

Town Council Approves Horse Drawn Wagons

On May 29 Telluride Town Council unanimously voted to amend Telluride Municipal Code Chapter 7, adding a division applicable to horse-drawn carriage rides, thus establishing a regulatory framework for permitting possible tours.

The Telluride Historical Museum is delighted by the council’s decision, and are thankful for the support they’ve received through the process. The museum’s partner, Telluride Wranglers, have submitted an application for a permit and together will be offering historical tours via horse drawn conveyance once approved

Stay tuned!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our Historical Wagons Tours please contact the museum directly.