Manitou Springs Heritage Museum Hours & Admission
Current Hours: Open 4 days a week (Thursday through Sunday, closed on Tuesday) from 12 noon to 4pm. However, please send an email to ManitouHeritage@gmail.com to make an appointment for any other time or day of the week.
Admission: Admission is free, but your donations are welcomed, needed and appreciated.
Social Media
Phone: 719-685-1454
Email: ManitouHeritage@gmail.com
Location
The Heritage Center is located at 517 Manitou Avenue, in the same block as the Manitou Arts Center, across the street from the old Cog Train and Memorial Park. See map in the sidebar.
About the Manitou Springs Heritage Museum
Historic Manitou Springs, Inc., is an educational non-profit based in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Pikes Peak, which operates the Manitou Springs Heritage Center and was formed in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our mission is to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the history and culture of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
The intent of the organization is to educate citizens and visitors in order to increase appreciation and understanding of this unique community. Before opening the Center, Historic Manitou was operated by a board of three persons–Jean Garrity, Deborah Harrison, and Michelle Anthony. During the initial 10 years, we developed a track record of participating in community projects and events. These projects include the Eastern Gateway Arch restoration, Mansions Park rehabilitation, installation of over 30 Historic Interpretive Plaques throughout town, and placement of the Emma Crawford memorial in Crystal Valley Cemetery. We have presented the “Ghost Stories of Old Manitou” haunted walking tours as part of the Annual Emma Crawford Festival (i.e., the events surrounding the Coffin Races) since its inception.
Our Building
In July 2008, Historic Manitou Springs, Inc. obtained a Purchase Option on the building at 517 Manitou Avenue, started a membership campaign, organized new fundraisers, and set up a small gallery and office on the building’s second floor. On August 26, 2009, we opened the Manitou Springs Heritage Center in the building’s ground floor. The Heritage Center houses a museum space—free to the public—with exhibits about the history and culture of Manitou Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
Our growing collection of documents and artifacts are housed upstairs, and our Lew Archer Research Room is now open to the public. All the donation of materials we have received are important and cherished. The following are examples of what we have received from donors for the growing collection:
- City Archives: A collection of documents donated in 2011 about the history of the Manitou Springs City government dating back to 1872
- Heritage Hall Collection: An archive of school memorabilia created by alumni dating between 1872-1956 when Manitou Springs Elementary housed all 12 grades.
- Dr. Lewis Archer Collection: books donated in 2014 about Manitou Springs, Colorado and Western history.
If you have photos, papers, drawings, paintings, information or objects associated with people or places in Manitou Springs’ history, please consider donating them to the Center.
Operations
Operation of the Heritage Center allows us to extend the commitment to collaborate with many local organizations such as the Mineral Springs Foundation, the Business of Art Center, the Manitou Springs Woman’s Club, the Manitou Springs Chamber, and a coalition of 18 regional History Museums, to name just a few.
The Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum is supported by donations and memberships and operated entirely by volunteers. We have a membership program and allow a community dialog through our Facebook and Instagram Pages. The Manitou Springs Heritage Center and Museum is proud to bring to light and share Manitou Springs’ stories.
Heritage Brew Festival: Neale Minch, Ceilidh Mar, Ceilidh Mar
Jenna Gallas
Andrew Hershberger
