Historical Museum

At the “core” of the Arvada Center

Plan to visit the Arvada Historical Museum which is physically and literally at the core of the Arvada Center: physically in that it is located on the main level at the very middle of the Center complex; literally in that the museum has been at the heart of the Center since the larger institution’s inception.

The museum’s own history

It may surprise many to know that the museum was germinal to the Arvada Center’s founding.  In 1972 a group of area citizens, headed by teacher, historian and author Lois Lindstrom Kennedy, established the Arvada Historical Society for the purpose of promoting and preserving local history.  Soon the society needed a suitable facility to collect, maintain and display artifacts of historical significance to the community.  Lindstrom Kennedy and the society’s bold advocacy led in 1974 to a city bond issue to build a museum and cultural center.  The vote passed and construction began the following year. What came to be called the Arvada Center opened July 4, 1976. Still today, the museum continues its close association with the Arvada Historical Society.

Recent expansion, new features and exhibits

Twice the museum has expanded, first in 1992 and again in 2006.  The second enlargement and remodeling provided a 750 square-foot multipurpose meeting and classroom and an 8000 square-foot secured, climate-controlled exhibit preparation and collections storage facility.  The main display area, additionally enlarged by 750 square feet, was also refurbished with new carpeting, lighting systems, pedestal and casework, photo and text graphics.

Haines log house

The showpiece of the museum is the actual 144-year-old Haines log house, furnished much as it would have appeared when Asahel and Abigail Haines raised their six children in the exceedingly small quarters—without electricity, indoor plumbing, or most comforts taken for granted today.  The humble pioneer dwelling was unoccupied and near collapse in 1978 when a team from the Arvada Historical Society carefully removed it, log by log, from its original site at the present-day location of Blunn reservoir in west Arvada.  In 1981 it was restored inside the museum.  Few local history museums have anything like it!

Collections

The Haines log house is itself a collection artifact, but the museum holds approximately 2500 additional catalogued items, including farm equipment, tools, business outfittings, furniture and household materials, decorative arts, clothing and personal effects, books, documents and photographs.  (Owing mainly to fragility or unstable condition, not all artifacts are permanently on view.)  The collection tells Arvada’s distinct heritage.  No mere come-lately bedroom suburb to Denver, Arvada was platted as a town in 1870 amidst a thriving agricultural region and has a rich history all its own.

Donate historic items to the museum

The history museum is always seeking appropriate acquisitions for the permanent collection.  By policy, donated artifacts must be authentic and original, and have relevance or pertinence to Arvada or to known Arvada citizens.  The Center pledges “best-museum-standard” care and preservation of donated artifacts.  If interested, please contact the curator at 720-898-7251.  Sorry, the museum has no budget or available funds to purchase items for the collection.

Tours and activities

The history museum and art galleries participate in the Arvada Center’s hugely successful Arts Day tour and activity program for school young people.  In 2007 more than 6000 area youth encountered the museum with the assistance of the Center’s trained docents.  Such visit supports the Colorado history curriculum in respective schools. To learn more about the program, contact the Arts Day office at 720-898-7240.  Conventional docent-led tours for adults and special groups can also be arranged by calling—at least two weeks in advance—898-720-7255.

Become a docent

If you like history, art and interacting with an appreciative public (especially school-age youth) you may enjoy being a docent, truly one of the most personally satisfying and rewarding volunteer services at the Arvada Center.  For information call 720-898-7251.

Hours

Except for major holidays when the Arvada Center is closed, the museum is open Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 pm.  On theater performance evenings the museum remains open till 7:30.  Admission is always free.

William Henning, Museum Curator, WHENNING@arvadacenter.org