Last updated: 2/14/2021
1005 Sycamore AvenueRocky Ford, CO 81067
1005 Sycamore AveRocky Ford, CO 81067
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Tuesday - Friday
1 PM - 5 PM
Labor Day to Memorial Day
Wednesday, Friday
1 PM - 5 PM
Free. Donations Accepted.
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Rob Marshall
phone: 719-254-6737
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EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF ROCKY FORD and life in the Arkansas Valley at the Rocky Ford Historical Museum. Housed in a Carnegie Public Library built in 1908, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum takes a broad look at the area history from 1878 to date. The collection includes objects documenting the Arkansas Valley Fair, Watermelon Day, the sugar industry and the everyday life of the people of the Arkansas Valley. Exhibits also focus on the geology, anthropology, and archaeology of the region. Highlights include an early Watermelon Day porcelain set from the Swink family, animals molded from beeswax, woolly mammoth skull, early fire truck and firefighting equipment, and memorabilia from prominent local families.
The building has galvanized iron cornice and plaster wainscoting, the outside construction is mainly done in locally produced concrete blocks and brick, representing the initial appearance of Neo-Classical architecture in Rocky Ford. The 1908 building reflects the nationwide public library movement sponsored by steel manufacturer and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
The Rocky Ford Museum, first opened in 1941 and moved to its present location in 1976.
In 1940, Rocky Ford volunteers formed an Explorers League to encourage members to keep their eyes open for bits of the history and culture of the town and the area. In 1941, the group reformed as a branch of the Colorado Archeological Society.
The amateur archaeologists pooled their finds and donations from founding families and began displaying the artifacts in increasingly larger donated spaces, including the basement of the town library and an empty gas station.
Native American arrowheads; photos and other memorabilia from the Arkansas Valley Fair and Watermelon Day dating back to 1878; documentation of the history of the town’s honey and sugar industries; and reflections of everyday life in the Arkansas Valley. Also included are displays on the geology, anthropology and ethnicity of the area’s citizens, past and present.
The museum is in the 1909 Carnegie town library building, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995
Picnic area available.
Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: No
There is an elevator on site. Please call for access.
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
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