Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum

The Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum stands in one of the oldest buildings in the area. It was built as a blacksmith shop in the year 1883,  it became the Crested Butte Hardware Store,  and it was also the first retail gas pump in 1911.  The building served as a venue  for local gatherings for decades, and is most fondly remembered as Tony’s Conoco. The hardware store closed down after Tony’s death in 1996 and reopened as the museum in July of 2003.

In the older times, people used to hang out at Tony’s Conoco – during the colder seasons around the pot belly stove.  Still today, you can see people occupying the benches up front when the weather is nice. Upon visiting Crested Butte, you will likely see photos of the old timers, hanging next to the “new locals”, and visitors. One of the museum’s largest exhibits is the historic building, “The Hardware”. All the items found in the front portion of the Museum are the exact items that were for sale throughout the long years of Tony’s Conoco.

The exhibits in the museum are always evolving, mostly trying to capture the pieces of the local history, though the themes somehow remain the same. Every season, when visiting the museum, you will see new items to every exhibit. Things are always kept fresh around here.

Mountain Biking Hall of Fame

The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and Museum (MBHOF) is located within the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum.  The biking museum houses items of memorabilia, including vintage bikes, components, classic photos, press clippings and highlights from historic races and events. The start of true mountain biking was founded in Crested Butte.  There are many events that have survived the test of time including The Pearl Pass Tour from Crested Butte to Aspen over Pearl Pass and Fat Tire Week held in Crested Butte every summer.

Choo Choo Train

Kids and adults, regardless of their age, surely love the growing train diorama which somehow depicts the town of Crested Butte in the 1920’s. A recent addition to the said diorama is the Old Rock School, which is now the Crested Butte Library. Plus, the model town is indeed amazing.

The Home Life Exhibit

Another great exhibit in the museum is what they call as the Home Life Exhibit. It features a number of items that were used by residents back then, including a stove, gramophone, furniture, shopping catalogs, dinnerware, and a whole lot more. The exhibit changes from time to time throughout the year, since the museum receives donations of household items from the residents. Aside from that, there are also two mannequin cases that display vintage clothing; of course, these are seasonally updated as well.

Hours of Operation

The museum is open from 10am to 6pm for the Fall Season. However, during winter, it opens from 11am to 6pm, from Thanksgiving to early April. It is open daily, except on Christmas Day.

Admission

The treasures of the town history can be seen in the Main Museum, wherein there is an admission fee of $5 for adults, and children below 12 years old are free. The whole front portion of the Museum can be accessed for free. These may include the memorial of Crested Butte hardware, photo collection of Sandra Cortner, and a small portion of historical exhibits.

How to Get There?

The Coldwell Banker Bighorn office is located at the four-way stop across from the Chamber of Commerce building (Elk Avenue & 6th Street) – and the museum is only two block down Elk Ave. at the corner of Elk Ave. and 4th Street.

Summary of Facts and Additional Information

  • Usual Hours of Operation: 10am to 6pm Daily
  • Admission Fee: $5
  • Location: 331 Elk Avenue in downtown Crested Butte
  • Free Parking

f you have an interest in Crested Butte Real Estate and would like to start a conversation about homes or condos in the Crested Butte area, call Chris Kopf, Previews® Property Specialist, Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty, 970-209-5405 or chriskopf@bighornrealty.com, https://chriskopf.com or Contact Chris

Author: Chris Kopf

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Call or Text: (970) 209-5405

Chris.Kopf@CBMP.com

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