Saving Our Museums

A soul takes nothing with her to the next world but her education and her culture.

Plato, The Republic of Plato

My October visit to the Littleton Historical Museum seemed as though I had stepped across a portal to another time.The 1890’s farm house was the first thing that came into view. I thought I could smell a freshly baked apple pie cooling in the kitchen window. Pumpkins were lined up in the adjacent garden waiting for children to turn them into Jack O’Lanterns. Someone was collecting eggs in the hen house. There were cows, sheep and pigs waiting noisily to be fed. In the blacksmith shop, the smithy was at work in front of a blazing fire. Just behind the blacksmith has a fishing dock where children were casting poles in the water hoping to catch dinner. There was a farm from the 1860’s, beyond this, with a cabin, ice house, school, orchard and more farm animals.

My first visit to this unique living history farm was over 30 years ago. Each year, in October, there was an arts festival held on the grounds. I was captivated by its charming, historic farm and went back often. There were many events through out the year including cutting ice for the ice house which would later be used to make ice cream in the summer, a concert series and week long summer camps for children where they would experience living on a farm in the 1800’s.

I no longer live near by, however I still try to visit occasionally. My husband and I were in the area over Memorial Day weekend and decided to stop by. The last time we had visited was before COVID. Sadly, the museum, like so many others, has struggled to get back to what it once was. The farmhouse and cabin were not open, few animals were around. The blacksmith shop was open due to the dedication of one volunteer. Only the static local history gallery had any exhibits. Two other galleries were readying exhibits to open later in the summer. After doing some research online I found that the summer concerts and arts festival are still scheduled. In talking to a volunteer in the gift shop I learned the museum will offer a couple of one day camps at the farm this summer.

I belong to the Denver Art Museum, Still Museum and Botanic Gardens and have watched them fighting to regain their footing to get back to what they were before the pandemic. They lost a lot of income during the months they were closed. Money and volunteers are slow to come back. It’s a catch twenty-two because this means there are less resources to fund programs and, consequently, fewer visitors to generate income.

My plea to you is to contribute, in any way you can, to save these important pieces of our culture. You can go to, Friends of the Library and Museum in Littleton, and their site will tell you how to become a member for a small cost. The museum does not have an admission charge, only a donation. Go to any of the museum websites, near you, to find out how to volunteer or become a member. If you are not able to volunteer or contribute, consider visiting a museum. It will benefit you and your community.