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Launching our new program series: History Happy Hour

Grab a drink and join us for this special lecture series! History Happy Hours feature guest speakers discussing a range of historical topics at businesses serving food and drinks throughout Louisville. Upcoming topics include Black Cowboys, Louisville Trivia Night, the Long Strike (1910-1914), Baseball History, and more! Learn from local experts and support the City’s small businesses. Stay tuned on our website and Eventbrite page for specific dates, topics, and venue details.

History Happy Hour: Black Cowboys with Acoma Gaither

Grab a beer at Crystal Springs with historian Acoma Gaither on March 16 and learn all about the history and legacy of Black cowboys in the American West. Popular depictions of the Old West have often neglected the role and presence of Black Americans. Get a chance to hear about the experiences and contributions of cowboys of color and how they shaped the culture and development of the region!

Our pop-up quilting workshop returns!

Join us for another pop-up quilting workshop. Hone your hand-stitching skills and come chat with folks gathered around a quilting frame! Harken back to the days before sewing machines and learn about hand-quilting stitches and styles with a community of quilters and history lovers.

New front window exhibit: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

2026 marks two important anniversaries in our history: the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 150^th anniversary of Colorado’s admission to statehood. This year, the City of Louisville and the Louisville Historical Museum will be celebrating key moments in the history of the nation, the state, and the city. Each Louisville Historian and museum front window exhibit will reflect upon a theme from the Declaration of Independence. From March 10 through May 30, learn about defining moments in our national, state, and local history that reflect the theme of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Learn about STEM from the perspective of Colorado’s longest continuous inhabitants

Ute Knowledge: Colorado’s Original Science Technology, Engineering, and Math exhibit tells the story of how Ute Indians have used science, technology, engineering and math to survive and thrive in the Rocky Mountains. The Ute people have prospered in Colorado through their deep understanding of, and a connection to, the landscape and environment. Stop by the Museum through February 10 to April 25 to learn more!

Membership

Join or Renew Today!

We love our members! Members can renew online, via mail, or in person. As a reminder, if paying by check, please make your membership check out to the Louisville Historical Museum and remember to make any monetary donations separately to the Louisville History Foundation. Thank you for your support!

Not a member yet? Join today with the perfect membership type for you. The Historical Museum offers individual, family, and business memberships, as well as gift memberships so that you can give someone who loves Louisville and history full access to all that the Museum has to offer.

Museum members receive the Louisville Historian in the mail four times each year. You can also make a donation directly to the Louisville History Foundation to support the work the Museum does and special projects.

Thank You, Business Members

740 Front

Alternating Current Press
ARC Thrift Stores

Ariel IT Services
Atomic Forge
Berkelhammer Tree Experts, Inc.
Bolder Insurance
Coal Creek Collision Center
Cory Nickerson - 8z Real Estate
Creative Framing & Art Gallery
DAJ Design, Inc.
Deep End Solutions

E & L Team at RE/MAX Elevate

Ferguson's Family Plumbing and Drain

Fingerplay Studios

Gstalder Louisville Law Group

Hofgard & Associates, P.C.
Louisville Cyclery
Louisville Tire & Auto Care

Moxie Bread Co.
Origin CPA Group
Paul's Coffee & Tea
Pine Street Plaza

Pink House Co.

Premier Members Credit Union
Seward Mechanical Systems
Society of Italian Americans
Stewart Architecture
Ters Family Dentistry
The Singing Cook

Historic Photo Feature

In the early twentieth century, it was possible to summit a high mountain peak in Colorado without enduring a day’s long hike or driving up a treacherous four-wheeling road. The group photographed on this postcard summitted Mt. McClellan by riding the Argentine Central Railway. The Colorado and Southern Railway operated the narrow-gauge railroad route from 1906 through 1918. The route began in Silver Plume, passed through Waldorf (now a ghost town), and completed its trek at the top of Mt. McClellan. Operators of the railway constructed it to serve both the silver mining and tourist industries in the region. Though the sign tourists hold in this photo states that Mt. McClellan was 14,007 feet tall, later and more accurate measurements showed that McClellan only reached 13,587 feet. The journey to the top of the peak featured an incredibly steep grade of 6% and extremely sharp turns. The route required six switchbacks to reach McClellan’s summit.

Would you have liked to take this train ride to the top of Mt. McClellan?