Rocky Ford Museum
EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF ROCKY FORD...
...and life in the Arkansas Valley at the Rocky Ford Historical Museum. Housed in a Carnegie Public Library built in 1908, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum takes a broad look at the area history from 1878 to date. The collection includes objects documenting the Arkansas Valley Fair, Watermelon Day, the sugar industry and the everyday life of the people of the Arkansas Valley. Exhibits also focus on the geology, anthropology, and archaeology of the region. Highlights include an early Watermelon Day porcelain set from the Swink family, animals molded from beeswax, woolly mammoth skull, early fire truck and firefighting equipment, and memorabilia from prominent local families.
The building has galvanized iron cornice and plaster wainscoting, the outside construction is mainly done in locally produced concrete blocks and brick, representing the initial appearance of Neo-Classical architecture in Rocky Ford. The 1908 building reflects the nationwide public library movement sponsored by steel manufacturer and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. The Rocky Ford Museum, first opened in 1941 and moved to its present location in 1976.
ROCKY FORD HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Rob Marshall - Curator
1005 Sycamore Ave
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
Phone: (719)254-6737
Email: rfmuseum@rockyford-co.gov
Summer Hours Memorial Day to Labor Day:
Tuesday - Friday 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm
Winter Hours Labor Day to Memorial Day:
Wednesday and Friday 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Entrance to the museum is free - donations are encouraged!
Please enter at the stairs on the North side of the building.
There is an elevator on site - call for elevator access.
Visitor Services
- Parking
- Restrooms
- Picnic Area
- ADA Accessibility