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A Celebration of History and Culture

April 20, 2016

by Louise Colville, director Rio Grande County Museum


​The museum's Celebration of History and Culture opening reception will be held on April 30th at the Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  marking the beginning of the 2016 spring/summer season. The Museum was first opened in the Courthouse 56 years ago and then moved to the present facility in 1988. 


The history of the area will be shown with several new exhibits which include the Old Spanish Trail and the ladies of the Twin Mountain area which will show part of the German, Austrian and Scottish cultures of the area.  Exhibits representing Del Norte and Monte Vista that correspond with both towns’ historical walking tours are on display.  Pinos Creek, Summitville, Swede Lane and San Francisco Creek, doctors and dentists exhibits add to the histories of Rio Grande County along with an exhibit on the San Luis Valley Potato industry.  One of the featured and ongoing exhibits represents the veterans in military wars and conflicts starting with the Mexican-American War through present day military.

Monte Vista artist, Craig Lehmann is the featured artist this year. He is a contemporary sculptor with a long career spanning two decades. His work in stone and metal reflects his “free spirit” and his lifetime of experiences.

The Museum again changed with new and updated exhibits but some of the favorites are still showing including the history of the schools in Rio Grande County.

The Rio Grande County Museum and Cultural Center is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, Colorado. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, please call (719)5657-2847 or email at rgmuseum@riograndecounty.org or visit the SLVMA's homepage at www.museumtrail.org. For information on lodging while in the area, please visit Colorado’s Rio Grande Country website.

A special thanks to Ruth Carapella at Pen Craft Design Company for her design work on this year's poster/postcard.

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