The Estes Park Museum

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Estes Park get its name?

The first known European-American family to settle in the Estes Park area was the Joel and Patsy Estes family. Joel and one of his sons fist visited the valley on a hunting trip in 1859. The family moved to the park soon after. Newspaperman William Byers wrote glowingly of his 1864 visit to the area in the Rocky Mountain News, and called the area Estes Park after his host, Joel Estes. The name stuck, and became the name of the town that later developed in the area of the Estes homestead.

Where is the Museum located and when is it open?

Click here for location and hours of operation.

What is there to do at the Museum?

The Estes Park Museum has a series of permanent and changing exhibits, which include hands-on activities for all ages. Click here for an exhibit schedule. If your group includes young people, you may want to inquire about the Museum’s History Hiker program. History Hiker activity books are available free of charge from the front desk. The activity books encourage a more active, in-depth visit and take approximately 1 hour to complete. Upon completion of the book, History Hikers are awarded a badge.

Does the Museum provide tours for groups?

The Museum does provide tours for any group of ten or more, including school groups, scout troops, conference attendees, bus tour participants, Elderhostel groups, senior center groups, and many others. Please contact the education curator to schedule your tour at least 14 days in advance and to arrange payment. Most tours are 45 minutes to 1 hour long, but can be expanded or shortened to meet the needs of your group.

Is the Museum accessible by wheelchair?

The main Museum building and temporary exhibit building are both fully accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. The Cobb-Macdonald cabin has doors which are very narrow. Most wheelchairs will not fit into this two-room historic building. Museum programs held on the Museum grounds, in the Estes Park Public Library, and in room 203 of the Municipal Building are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. For information on programs in other locations or for further information, contact the Museum by phone 970-586-6256 or by e-mail.

How do I donate an object to the Museum?

The Estes Park Museum collects and preserves objects that best establish or illustrate the history of the Estes Park area, defined as a circle with a 15 mile radius centered on the town of Estes Park. Generally, art and artifacts acquired for the Museum’s collection are more than 40 years old, created or used in this or adjacent counties or representative of material created or used in this area, and are appropriate for research, comparison, and exhibit. If you have an object that fits this description which you are interested in donating to the Museum, please contact the curator for more information.

Can I do research in the Museum’s collection?

Yes. Researchers are welcome to visit the Museum. Making an appointment in advance will ensure that a staff member is available to work with you. Appointments are generally available between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and on some weekends as well. A photocopier is available for researcher use at 10 cents per copy. Reproductions of historic photographs in the Museums collections can also be ordered. The process usually takes one month. For more information on the Museum’s collections, to order photographs, or to set up a research appointment, contact the curator.