Golden History Museum

The Golden History Museum tells the story of a town that was once the territorial capital of Colorado and gateway to the mining districts of the Rocky Mountains. It's a small but well-curated museum that gives context to everything you see walking around Golden today.

Golden's history is surprisingly rich. Before Denver existed, Golden was the commercial center of the region. The territorial legislature met here. The railroad arrived in 1870 connecting the mining towns to the east. Adolph Coors built his brewery here in 1873. The museum traces all of these threads and more.

Permanent Exhibits

The museum occupies a historic building in the heart of downtown with exhibits spread across multiple rooms. The Early Golden gallery covers the town's founding, its brief tenure as territorial capital, and its role supplying the mining camps in the mountains.

The Railroad Room explores Golden's importance as a railroad hub. The Colorado Central Railroad made Golden a junction point for routes heading into Clear Creek Canyon and the mining districts beyond. Historic photos show the town during its railroad heyday.

The Coors and Industry exhibit examines how the brewery and other industries shaped modern Golden. You'll learn about the brewery's survival through Prohibition by making malted milk and how it grew to dominate the town's economy.

Rotating exhibits highlight different aspects of local history - everything from historic businesses to notable residents to the evolution of downtown Golden architecture.

Clear Creek History Park

Connected to the museum is Clear Creek History Park, an outdoor extension featuring historic cabins and structures relocated from around Jefferson County. The park sits along Clear Creek and includes a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, and ranch buildings dating to the 1870s-1900s.

The outdoor park is open during museum hours and offers a pleasant walk along the creek. Interpretive signs explain the history of each structure and how people lived in early Colorado.

Programs and Events

The museum hosts regular programs including walking tours of historic downtown, lectures on local history topics, and hands-on activities for families. Summer brings outdoor events at the history park. Check their website or call ahead for current programming.

The research library is available by appointment for anyone researching Golden or Jefferson County history. The archives include historic photographs, newspapers, and documents.

Planning Your Visit

Time needed: About 45 minutes to an hour for the indoor museum. Add 20-30 minutes for the outdoor history park.

Combine with: The museum is in the heart of downtown Golden, making it easy to combine with lunch on Washington Avenue and a walk along Clear Creek.

Best for: Anyone interested in Colorado history or wanting to understand Golden's background before exploring the town. The museum provides excellent context for the historic buildings you'll see walking around.