Museums

A.J. Eaton was the son of Colorado’s 4th governor, Benjamin Harrison Eaton.  A.J. wed Minnie Lee Gooden on January 1, 1885. The Greeley Tribune hailed the marriage: “The Governor’s son has shown himself worthy of his surroundings and may the star of prosperity ever shine above his door.” As the first two-story brick residence In town, the property Immediately became a local landmark, with some referring to it as the Eaton “mansion.”

 The Eaton Area Historical Society, established in 1991, has led the effort to preserve this beautiful home and to share the history of the region through this museum. Please visit the historicaleatonco.org web page for much more information about this museum, as well as location and hours.

The Wise Homestead dates back to 1869, when Oliver Wise, his wife Adaline (Ada), and their three children came across the plains from Wisconsin to settle in Colorado. Oliver built a small log cabin and began to farm the land. In 1870, he was granted a U.S. Homestead Patent on the property and began building a permanent farmhouse. The museum highlights many of the home’s original features. The wood floors are a “rugged” precursor to today’s hardwood floors. Through unique “windows to the past,” visitors are able to see the mud that was used to insulate the house and the animal hair used in the plaster. Also visible are samples of 1900’s advertising that were revealed as the original wallpaper was removed. 

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays (May-September) and anytime by appointment. Learn more about this museum and additional history of the area on the Erie historical society website.

History is an important piece of our city. The Fort Lupton City Museum’s collection includes extensive archives of family histories, cemetery records, business documents, and photos dating as far back as the 1800s.

Updated Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday 9 am-3 pm. Closed October 7th-9th.

 For more information about featured and upcoming exhibits, please visit the city of Fort Lupton's website.

While Weld County may be known now for oil and gas, wind and solar energy production, it may surprise you to learn that southern Weld County's history is rich in coal production. The Miners Memorial Museum in the Town of Frederick captures the history of mining in the town. The museum is open during town events and by appointment. Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a tour - information can be found on the Town of Frederick website.

Centennial Village Museum is a living history experience that features over 35 historical buildings, costumed interpreters, heritage farm animals, and 8-acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Visitors step back in time and learn about the settling of the western high plains, a time when grand houses, growing businesses, extensive prairies and agriculture were all a part of daily life.

Opened during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, Centennial Village Museum preserves and interprets American western heritage in the Colorado high plains region over the last 150 years. Some of Weld County’s oldest structures are located in this museum.

 Learn more about this amazing site by visiting their webpage at greeleymuseums.com.

The Greeley History Museum showcases and preserves Greeley and Weld County’s history through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, research and collections. Check out the museum’s main exhibit, “Utopia: Adaptation on the Plains,” and then head over to one of the museum’s other galleries, which include updated themes throughout each year.  At the Greeley History Museum, artifacts, photographs and hands-on opportunities create a meaningful visitor experience.

In addition to exhibits, the lower level of the museum contains the Hazel E. Johnson Research Center, which has an impressive collection of documentary and photographic resources available for researchers, students and genealogists.

The building, originally built in 1929 for the Greeley Tribune, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and became home to the Greeley History Museum in 2005.

 More information can be found on their website at greeleymuseums.com.

The Meeker Home Museum is the 1870 home of Greeley’s founding family. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this unique two-story adobe brick home was built for Nathan Cook Meeker, his wife Arvilla, and their daughters Mary, Rozene, and Josephine.

In 1929 the home became Greeley’s first museum. This restored home contains cherished artifacts including furnishings original to the home and used by the Meeker family. A 10-foot tall diamond dust mirror, tall case clock, and Meeker's cherry wood desk are some of the prized historical treasures within the museum.

Visitors can walk the grounds of the museum, where interpretive panels portray historical facts, maps and images about the town’s history, Horace Greeley, and the Meeker family.

Learn more at the Greeley Museums webpage.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, White-Plumb Farm Learning Center is a Colorado Centennial Farm— run by the same family for over 100 years before it was donated to the City of Greeley Museums! The property was settled in 1881 by Civil War Veteran Charles White as a turn of the century tree claim. The agriculture fields utilize a flood irrigation system. For information about hours and programs, please visit their webpage at greeleymuseums.com.

This Arts and Crafts style bungalow, was built by the founders of Johnstown Harvey and Mary Parish. The house, which now serves as a museum, is furnished in early 1900 stylings that offer a glimpse into what life was like in this area nearly 100 years ago. The Johnstown Historical Society manages the house and museum and offers tours on Wednesdays form 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and by appointment. If you are interested, please visit the johnstownhistoricalsociety.org webpage.

Constructed as a 1933 Civil Works Administration Depression-Era project, the once town hall for the northern Weld County community of Nunn now is home to an amazing collection of regional history - much of it donated by the families who homesteaded in the area.

Typically open on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, this museum is a must-see for history buffs! The museum is located at 755 3rd St. and is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Find out more about the museum at the Town of Nunn Museum Page.

Originally a fur-trading for built in 1835 by Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette, this fort 'in the middle of the highway' includes a charming museum depicting life in region in the early to mid 1800s. Although the museum is temporarily closed, we invite you to learn more about this important piece of history on the historycolorado.org website.

The Platteville Pioneer Museum, located at 502 Marion Avenue, is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and on the fourth Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.  Families and groups can also schedule private showings if booked in advance.  For more information call (970) 785-6285. For more information, please visit the town of Platteville's website at plattevillegov.org.

The Windsor History Museum features historic buildings from around Windsor built between 1882 and the 1920s. These buildings help to tell the story of Windsor beginning with the completion of the Great Salt Lake & Pacific Railroad through the sugar beet boom of the early 20th century. Learn more about this museum on the poudreheritage.org website.