Cultural & Heritage Attractions in Gunnison County, Colorado

MUSEUMS

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum

The mission of the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum is to foster a better understanding and appreciation of the history and cultural heritage of mining, ranching, skiing, and other activities indigenous to the East River Valley, particularly Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte.

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, Inc. was formed in 1993 to raise funds for displaying and organizing a museum collection, which opened to the public in 1994. After being located in the

historic D&RGR Depot and Spritzer House, the museum moved to the Crested Butte Hardware Store building, one of the oldest standing structures in town. This larger and more prominent Elk Avenue location, locally known as Tony's Conoco, was built in 1883 and housed the town's blacksmith shop and the first gas pump (1911). Tony Mihelich became a partner in the store in 1940 and ran it as Crested Butte Hardware and Auto Supply until his death in 1996.

Walking through the museum's front door is like stepping back into an old-fashioned hardware store. A large gift shop and memorabilia from Tony's occupy the front, while a train display, the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, and interesting exhibits about mining, ranching, skiing and other local history draw visitors to the back.

Each year, on July 2, Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum hosts the annual Black and White Ball. The fundraiser typically take place from 6 - 9 p.m., with Fourth Street (next to the museum) closed for the street dance. Participants are asked to wear black or white evening wear-in Crested Butte, this ranges from fabulous to funky! The museum also hosts speakers and other programs.

For more information, contact Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, (970) 349-1880. The museum is typically open from noon - 8 p.m. in summer and noon - 6 p.m. in winter. A small admission fee is charged and includes the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame.

Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Crested Butte

Since mountain biking's creation more than 30 years ago, the sport has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds. The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, located within the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum at 311 Elk Ave., has worked to document the individuals and events that have significantly contributed to mountain biking history.

The Hall of Fame houses items of memorabilia, including vintage bikes, components, classic photos, press clippings and highlights from historic races and events. Included in this history is Crested Butte's role as the birthplace of mountain biking.

For more information, call (970) 349-6817 or visit www.mtnbikehalloffame.com.

Pioneer Museum, Gunnison

The Gunnison County Pioneer and Historical Society had its beginning in 1880 with the early pioneers who settled in the Gunnison Valley. From its very beginning, the society stated its interest in preserving the history of the pioneers of Gunnison County; by 1964, the Pioneer Museum was established.

The museum grounds, its numerous buildings, and the artifacts and memorabilia that make up many of the displays have been donated by generous members and friends of the society. The items on display represent the cultural history and heritage of the people of Gunnison County, with much of the memorabilia dating back to the early settlers.

Museum highlights include the following attractions: Gunnison's first post office (1876); a D & RG Narrow Gauge train (engine, flanger, gondola, boxcar, livestock car and caboose), water tank and depot; two rural school houses; a house with early-day furnishings; the Andy Mallett Antique Car Museum with more than 55 vehicles; a log cabin chapel; authentic barn with ranch displays; arrowhead and mineral collection; carpenter shop; blacksmith shop; print shop; and much more.

The museum, located near Jorgenson Park on Highway 50, is typically open Memorial Day weekend through mid-September from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Saturday, and 1 - 5 p.m., Sunday. A small admission fee is charged. For more information, call (970) 641-4530.

Pitkin Museum, Pitkin

Situated on an alpine meadow that is one mile long and one quarter mile wide, Quartzville was incorporated on August 11, 1879, and later renamed Pitkin after Governor Frederick W. Pitkin. As Colorado's first mining camp west of the Continental Divide, continuous discovery of mines brought Pitkin to life and sustained it until the silver panic of 1893.

At Pitkin Museum, located in the Red School House on main street, a hands-on approach to learning this and other local history is the motto. Learn about mining and trains, flip through old newspapers, view photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s, see artifacts from early businesses, type on an old typewriter, and "try on" the old seats used in the school house. Also find out interesting facts about the nearby Alpine Tunnel, the world's highest and most expensive narrow gauge railroad tunnel in its time. Located 3 miles north of Pitkin, between the town sites of Quartz and Hancock, the tunnel was completed in 1891, closed in 1910 and now is a historic district.

The site of Red School House has been home to education since the first school was constructed there in 1888. The current school, built in 1923 and closed in 1962, is listed on the state register of historic places. Two of the town's original buildings--town hall and an early home--have been moved to museum grounds, which also features playground equipment for kids. A slide built in 1924 has been historically designated and entertains young and old alike.

The museum is owned by Pitkin Historical and Community Association, which strives to keep the museum open to the public from June 1 shortly after Labor Day. Generally, the times open includes a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon. For museum hours or more information, call Karen Blue (970) 641-1352. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.

ART CENTERS

Crested Butte Center for the Arts

Back in the 1980s, when motorists drove into Crested Butte, they were greeted by a big pile of coal cinders ("Mt. Black") and a not-too-attractive metal building ("Big Grey") that was used by Gunnison County to maintain heavy equipment. The property and building were acquired by the Town of Crested Butte, and a group of passionate residents raised nearly $500,000 to renovate the garage into an attractive performing arts center in 1987.

Today, the Center is a colorful landmark that welcomes locals and visitors for top-notch programming and art exhibitions. The 6,600 square-foot facility houses a 215-seat auditorium with stage, spacious lobby, art gallery and offices. An outdoor stage, located next to Paradise Park, allows the Center to present free Alpenglow concert series each summer.

The Center is used as a venue by many organizations such as Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Crested Butte School of Dance and Crested Butte Music Festival. The Center also books, promotes and sells tickets to its own signature events such as the "Center Productions" and "Winter Season" series. Examples of past performances include Aspen Sante Fe Ballet, Madeleine Peyroux Trio, Quartetto Gelato, Cowboy Junkies, Judy Collins, George Winston, Booker T. Jones, The Crystal Palace, Dueling Divas, and Artie Shaw Orchestra.

Artist workshops and creativity salons also bring numerous people to the Center, and fund-raisers such as Tour de Forks are popular events open to the public. Tour de Forks kicks off in June with the Crested Butte Chefs on the Edge competition and continues into September with approximately 20 gourmet events including intimate dinners, brunches, cocktail buffets, fishing and hiking events, and luncheons. The dining extravaganzas take place in some of Crested Butte's most luxurious private homes and sell out quickly.

For more information, ticket reservations and workshop sign-ups, contact Crested Butte Center for the Arts at (970) 349-7487 or visit www.crestedbuttearts.org. The Center's office hours are 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Gunnison Arts Center

Gunnison Arts Center (GAC), located in a two-story historic stone building on a prominent corner in downtown Gunnison, is a community arts center dedicated to highlighting, showcasing and developing artists and audiences within the community.

GAC has three gallery spaces, a 70-seat theatre, clay center, dance studio, meeting rooms and reception space. Among the many programs offered by GAC are rotating art exhibitions, visual arts classes for adults and children, dance classes, a choral group (Gunnison Arts Center Singers), free weekly "Sundays @ 7" summer concerts at Legion Park, music productions, community and children's theatre, and multiple literary programs such as a book club and poetry alliance.

Events such as The Land of Rainbow Quilt Festival in August and the Annual Gala are popular with locals and visitors annually. Also stop by and browse GAC's galleries and gift shop that are filled with creations by area artists.

GAC is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., but winter hours may be different.  For more information, ticket reservations and class sign-ups, contact Gunnison Arts Center at (970) 641-4029 or visit www.GunnisonArtsCenter.org.

THEATRE

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre is the longest continuously running community theatre in Colorado with 36 years on the stage. The organization was established in 1972 by an energetic, talented group of people who envisioned Crested Butte tapping some of its own culture. Located in the 1880s-era Old Town Hall along with The Paragon Gallery artists' cooperative, Crested Butte Mountain Theatre performs many of its production there in the Mallardi Cabaret and occasionally uses the auditorium at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts.

Crested Butte Mountain Theatre has produced approximately 200 plays, coordinates the annual Crested Butte Mardi Gras festival, and involves youth through its Arts in Education Program. The organization's Teen's On Stage Program and involvement with the Crested Butte Community School Drama Club has resulted in critically acclaimed productions of "Romeo & Juliet," "Hamlet Prince of Denmark," "Shakespeare to Seinfeld," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Learned Ladies."

For a performance schedule, more information and tickets, contact Crested Butte Mountain Theatre at (970) 349-0366 or visit www.cbmountaintheatre.org.

ASTRONOMY

Gunnison Valley Observatory

The largest research quality telescope in Colorado has a new home in the Gunnison Valley Observatory in Gunnison. In June 2008, the observatory began welcoming children, students, adults and groups interested in astronomy and plans to offer star parties, cosmic theme nights, educational sessions and much more.

Located off Gold Basin Road at the base of "W" Mountain, just southwest of Gunnison on U.S. Highway 50, the observatory features a distinctive dome to house the telescope atop an 800-square-foot building that includes a classroom and star wall.

The telescope, curriculum and all equipment was purchased from Black Forrest Observatory, built and operated by Paul Van Slyke in Colorado Springs from 1986 - 2001. Van Slyke built the impressive custom telescope so that he could observe Halley's Comet. After discovering that thousands of other space enthusiasts also wanted to see the comet, he began offering public viewing sessions that earned the telescope a reputation for being an excellent instrument.

The telescope incorporates a 30-inch f/9 Dall-Kirkham Cassegrain optical system (30" f/3 elliptical primary with 11.75" 3x spherical secondary multiplier) created by Intermountain Optics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Intermountain Optics manufactures optics for the aerospace industry.

Located at an elevation of 7,703 feet and with air and light pollution almost nonexistent in what are known as "stable" skies, Gunnison has near-perfect stargazing conditions. For more information about the Gunnison Valley Observatory visit www.coloradoskies.org or call (970) 641-0634.