Great success in our fundraiser to match the $2500 Lighting Fund Challenge Grant from High Country Bank. We raised $2771 by the end of June. Many thanks to all of you who donated and help us meet the match. We are currently getting bids for the lighting replacement and plan to do the work this winter. Please do watch for announcements about museum closures while this important work happens.
Thanks again!!!
Hard to believe, but 2016 is the 40th year of museum operations in the current building! Built by the City with help from funds donated by Harriet Alexander, our founder, and a state grant from the 1976 Centennial Commission, it was constructed with salvaged brick from an old bottling plant near the Monarch Spur Trail and 1st Street. With it’s age, comes challenges, including fluorescent lights, which are taking a toll on our artifacts.
We have a generous Challenge Grant of $2,500 from High Country Bank to replace our lights with artifact-friendly LED lights. Double your donation for any amount up to $100.
This challenge grant has ended. But if you still want to donate to the Museum, please visit our donation page for more information.
One of two museum signature quilts
You are invited to our 2016 Open House on May 14. Admission is free!
We have greats speakers and activities for both kids and adults.
If you are a quilting fan, you will definitely want to come see our antique quilt collection and hear from local Candy Droz, a nationally accredited quilting judge, about quilt design and construction. We will be displaying several of the museum’s antique quilts, including the signature quilt in the photo.
Candy’s talks will be at 11:00 am and 11:30 am. Doors will open at 10:45 so you can grab a seat for her talk.
All day long, you will have the opportunity to help the museum and the Hutchinson Homestead Ranch create a signature quilt representing a snapshot of people living in 2016 Salida. This activity is for both kids and adults – just add your name on a quilt block, and you’ll learn how to do a quick outline stitch to finish the block for the quilt. When all the signature blocks are completed, volunteers will be piecing the blocks into a new heritage quilt that will be displayed in the museum.
At 2:00 pm, Wayne Iverson will be talking about Chipeta, the wife of Chief Ouray of the Utes. He will also talk about his efforts to move the name Chipeta Mountain to the highest point on the mountain.
And of course, you can just come grab a cookie and check out the new displays created for the 2016 summer season.
Special thanks to our sponsor, the Salida Sunrise Rotary.
We hope to see you there!
Vandalism. It seems to be a common theme at remote historic sites these days, and we are no exception. Since last fall we have been fighting a losing battle with vandals at the Smokestack, including tagging on the brick and damage to the adjacent building. In March, they succeeded in pulling down a long run of chain link fence.
We’re asking the community to keep an eye out at the smokestack and report any unusual activity to the Sheriff. Read on for photos and more information…
Howdy Folks, Depot Sam here. The good people at the SalidaMuseum have decided to let me stop by from time to time and tell you a little about Salida and the surrounding area. We’ll see what we can dig up about the Arkansas Valley and some of the mountain mining towns, people and stories. So, check out some of my stories for some fun facts. Oh, and be sure to visit the museum every chance you can and make sure you join the association, heck, it’s only ten dollars a year.
Salida Song Ver 1 from the 1978 45rpm record
