TREAD OF PIONEERS MUSEUM
Located in a beautifully refurbished and expanded house at the corner of 8th and Oak Streets downtown, the Tread of Pioneers Museum offers a rich glimpse into American history.
Witness almost perfectly preserved Ute indian artifacts of Colorado. See the valley from the eyes of the first white trappers who arrived in the 1830's. Learn about Steamboat's growth through the arrival of the railroad and the advent of skiing.
Discover the evolution of skis, boots and bindings from the earliest cross-country gear to the "high-tech", metal edged monsters of the fifties. View professionally produced videos on Steamboat's own skiing history.
You'll walk through two floors representing local pioneer life in the early 1900's. A living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and child's closet, all complete with original furnishings and equipment will take you back to the slow-paced, yet surprisingly comfortable life of the early settlers of Steamboat Springs.
Of the greatest interest are numerous historic photographs of Steamboat Springs and the surrounding area that show in fascinating detail the development of downtown from the 1880's through the 1920's.
For a tour of downtown historical buildings, pick up a copy of "Tread through Steamboat", a walking tour map of historic structures along Oak Street and Lincoln Avenue.
New to the museum, Steamboat local Karen Utterback-Normann donated her father's historic home at 404 Oak Street. In October, 1997 the house was moved down the street to sit by the museum where it was restored and is now used for administrative purposes.
For more information about weekly programs and events, call the Museum at 879-2214.
THE ELENOR BLISS CENTER FOR THE ARTS
At the west end of Downtown Steamboat Springs, across the Yampa River from the library, is one of the local community's best efforts at historic preservation and cultural enhancement. The Depot was the town's original railroad station built in 1909, and it still retains the classic lines of its first intended use, though it no longer harbors train passengers.
Instead, the red brick structure now acts as Steamboat Springs' cultural center. In 1970, after the last passenger train pulled out, it was saved by a group of local citizens who wanted to preserve the aesthetic qualities of the building and to create a facility which could house a variety of cultural and artistic activities.
For the past 31 years the Steamboat Springs Arts Council has successfully used the Depot for the enhancement of local culture, including regular programs in the performing arts, visual arts, special events, summer festival, summer arts education and numerous other year-round arts related projects.
The Arts Council is currently overseeing three major local programs benefitting area arts and artists. A very successful Art in Public Places program is visible throughout the community, with Arts and Education and local Art and Culture Grants programs enjoying great support. A community Committee for the arts guides the programs and works with fourteen local affiliate arts groups to create an extensive cultural calendar.
A trip to The Depot, with location over looking the Yampa River and surrounded by several of the town's best known mineral springs, is recommended for those interested in our area's local art and artists. Regional art and photography shows are in progress throughout the year.
The historic Depot is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm, with weekend hours varying according to exhibition schedules. For more information see calendar on Page 15 and you can call The Art Depot at (970) 879-9008.
BUD WERNER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Located at the corner of 13th Street and Lincoln Avenue, the Bud Werner Memorial Library opened its doors in 1967. A ceremony was held during the opening to dedicate the new building to local Olympic skier Wallace "Bud" Werner, who died tragically in a 1964 avalanche while skiing in Switzerland.
The Bud Werner Memorial Library offers more than 40,0000 books, 1,000 audio and video tapes, and subscribes to over 200 magazines and newspapers. In addition, they provide computer access to Colorado's state library network, giving users a link to 165 libraries throughout Colorado as well as several major U.S. libraries. Expanded in 1987, the remodeled building now features a lobby exhibit of Bud Werner's many skiing records, trophies and memorabilia.
Check with the library for scheduled children's events throughout the year. Toddlers age 18 months to three years are invited to Story Time on Tuesdays from 10am to 10:20 and from 11am to 11:20. Pre-schoolers ages three to five are invited on Wednesdays from 10am to 10:30 and 11am to 11:30.
Typewriters and personal computers are available to the public at no charge, but please sign up in advance. Also ask the library about continuing fine art, photography and educational exhibits.
For more information, call the library at 879-0240.
STEAMBOAT ART MUSEUM
The Steamboat Art Museum opened its doors to the public in December of 2006. The museum is located at 807 Lincoln Avenue, in the Rehder Building. The opening was part of the initial phase of establishing the museum in downtown Steamboat Springs. The museum, which incorporated a year ago, is leasing the space from the City of Steamboat Springs. The space was formerly occupied by Into The West which relocated to 4th and Lincoln as Romick's Home Collection.
"We wanted to have a 'soft opening' as soon as possible so that local residents and the many visitors this time of year could see what we're doing," said Robert Dieckhoff, President of the museum's board of directors. "We'll have a gala opening later this winter to celebrate this important move and direction for the Steamboat Art Museum (SAM).
Initially, visitors will be able to view a diverse and eclectic collection of artwork from past and current Northwest Colorado artists, some historical pieces and loaned artwork from private collections that were created in the area. In addition, information about becoming a member or volunteer of the museum, plans for the future, and a model of a planned remodel of the building will be on display.
The museum is in the process of contracting for a long-term lease of the space from the City. The City received the building from the estate of Helen Rehder, who specified that the building be used as a museum.
The museum has contracted with a nationally recognized art consultant to do a feasibility study to determine the needs, cultural desire, and economic development opportunities for an art museum in the area.
Plans call for the museum not only to start an art collection, but also a collection of art books and subsequent research capabilities and educational programs.
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