14mi/23km west of Denver is the town of Golden (pop. 16,000), founded in 1859 after the discovery of gold in Clear Creek Canyon, which from 1862 to 1867 was capital of Colorado. Features of interest are the 12th Street Historic District; the Colorado Railroad Museum; the geological and mineralogical collections and earthquake observatory of the Colorado School of Mines (founded 1874).
The Astor House Museum, located in Golden has been restored to a late Victorian western hotel/ boarding house. Built in 1867, Astor House was the first stone hotel built west of the Mississippi. Displays highlight the period in time from 1867 to 1908 with revolving exhibits.
Address: Astor House Museum, 822 12th Street, Golden, CO 80401-1112, United States
Phone: 1 (303) 278-3557, Fax: 1 (303) 278-8916
Hours:
June 1 to August 31: 10am-4:30pm; Sun:1pm-4pm; Closed: Mon
September 1 to May 31: 10am-4:30pm; Closed: Mon, Sun, Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden features over 100 historic locomotives and cars. Railroad equipment, artifacts, paper records, books, artwork, and photographs from the 1860s to the present are on display.
Address: Colorado Railroad Museum, Box 10, Golden, CO 80403-1621, United States
Phone: 1 (303) 279-4591, Fax: 1 (303) 279-4229
Hours:
June 1 to August 31: 9am-6pm
September 1 to May 31: 9am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Open until 9pm on the first Thursday of each month. Active Military Personnel - receive one free adult admission.
The Geology Museum at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden has gold and silver displays, gemstones, minerals from around the world and a large collection of rocks and fossils.
Address: Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum, 1310 Maple Street, Golden, CO , United States
Phone: 1 (303) 273-3823, Fax: 1 (303) 384-2036
Hours:
9am-4pm; Sun:1pm-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Evaluation of specimens is performed between 10 a.m. and noon, Tuesdays through Thursdays.
The Golden History Center was established in 1939. The exhibits feature a wide range of artifacts pertaining to the history of the region, including guns, Indian dolls, clothing and furniture. There is a research library and a reading room on site with plenty of historic photos and newspaper accounts.
Address: Golden History Center, 923 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401-1025, United States
Phone: 1 (303) 278-3557, Fax: 1 (303) 278-8916
Hours:
June 1 to August 31: 10am-4:30pm; Sun:11am-3pm; Closed: Mon
September 1 to May 31: 10am-4:30pm; Closed: Mon, Sun, Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini established Mother Cabrini Shrine as a summer camp for orphan children. Mother Cabrini was beatified in 1938 and the shrine became a site of pilgrimage and prayer. The shrine offers exceptional views of the Denver area, and a 22-foot statue of Christ at the top of a 373-step stairway.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center in Golden has exhibits on solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. There is an interactive hall and several outdoor exhibits that demonstrate the power of the sun.
Address: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401, United States
Phone: 1 (303) 384-6565, Fax: 1 (303) 384-6568
Hours:
9am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden has five quilt exhibits each year displayed in two galleries. The large collection features historic to contemporary as well as traditional quilts, using many styles and techniques. The permanent collection at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum began with 100 quilts and has reached 300 housed in museum standard storage.
Address: Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, 1213 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401-1162, United States
Phone: 1 (303) 277-0377, Fax: 1 (303) 215-1636
Hours:
May 30 to September 5: 10am-4pm; Sun:12pm-4pm
September 6 to May 29: 10am-4pm; Closed: Sun
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Free admission on February 5, May 7, August 6, and November 5, 2010.
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