Current Exhibits

Exhibits at Golden History Museum

The exhibits at Golden History Museum include versatile programming spaces, a hands-on gallery for families with young children, and dynamic displays that highlight the City’s collection of 15,000 historic objects. Discover your own favorite artifacts in-person and then continue your learning journey at home or in your local coffee shop using our extensive online collection.

Tip: Members get free admission to most paid programs, so join us today!


Signs Of The Times

Old signs are powerful evidence of the changes Golden has experienced. Simply put, signs are visual graphics we use to communicate information to each other. We’ve used them for thousands of years, and if you stop and look around, they’re everywhere. The permanent City of Golden collection currently cares for more than two dozen commercial and business signs.



Confection Perfection: Jolly Rancher Company

jolly rancher

Seeking additional income for her family, homemaker-turned-entrepreneur Dorothy Harmsen learned of people making a fortune in Florida selling ice cream from newly invented soft serve machines. In 1949, Harmsen rented a store at 1113 Washington Avenue in downtown Golden and made a down payment on a new machine. Within a few years, she and her husband, Bill, built one of the most iconic confectionery companies in the world.


 

Epic Events

Epic Events walks you through over three dozen moments that shaped Golden’s past. Those times range from big to small, happy to sad. Some are memorable and some are best forgotten. Step inside this exhibit and feel what it’s like to live through 150 years in Golden.

Legendary People

People are the ingredient that makes Golden a vibrant community. Over the years, so many have called the area home, from nomadic Natives Americans, adventurous miners, and cunning politicians, to innovative business owners, hard-working students, and curious tourists. It’s their interesting stories that make for a rich history. Come learn the biographical highlights of some little-known characters like beloved educator Gertrude Bell, local activist Carl Eiberger Jr, and many more.


Old School: Golden High Turns 150

south school building in Golden, ColoradoGolden High School is the oldest continuously operating high school in the state of Colorado. Come celebrate with us and see stunning artifacts, page through yearbooks dating to 1916, and watch a variety of multimedia presentations.

Exhibit made possible in part by the Golden Civic Foundation.



Topo-Embroideries: Works by Kathy Mitchell-Garton

On view through May 4, 2024Golden embroidery artwork by Kathy Mitchell-Garton

“I grew up in Golden, at the base of Mt. Zion under the “M.” The view from our living room window was of Castle Rock and South Table Mountain, and I loved looking out the window over the valley. The fondness I developed for the geography of Golden led me to incorporating map imagery into my art. The linear quality of topographic maps lends itself well to embroidery. I love the way maps create abstract forms and patterns and are simultaneously a kind of language that tells the story of the landscape. To further tell my own story of this place, I layer linens, buttons, lace, beads, and words into the artwork, and use stitching to pull all the threads together.”


Touch Gallery, Holland House: A hotel famous for food

photo of Touch GalleryHotel, dining rooms, coffee shop, and lounge—the Holland House had it all. It was the sixth hotel to occupy 1310 Washington Street in Golden since 1925, when the Hotel Berrimoor opened up shop. Then followed the Cody Hotel, Wright Hotel, Golden Hotel, LaRay Hotel, and finally the Holland House. Today, it’s home to the Table Mountain Inn.

Marion Luther “Lu” Holland and his wife, Ethel, arrived in Golden from Billings, Montana, in 1944. Lu was already working as the chef and assistant manager at the LaRay Hotel when he and Ethel bought the place in May of 1946. They renamed it the Holland House and remodeled two rooms and a bath into their own residential suite. It was their home for the next 40 years. In its heyday the Holland House drew patrons from all over the region and was considered one of the finest restaurants anywhere near Denver, renowned for homemade pies and biscuits and the wonderful artwork adorning its walls.

The gallery recreates a restaurant scene from the Holland House, including original artwork, menus and a lobby reception desk. Head into the play kitchen and whip up your best recipe.

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