Posts Tagged ‘culture’

Take a Trip Back in Time at the Montrose Museums, a Trifecta of Culture and Heritage

Friday, August 6th, 2010


-Three magnificent museums, three educational experiences, one great location…Montrose!-

 

Montrose, Colo. – According to Heritage Travel, Inc., 78 percent of U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities when vacationing.  Montrose, located in historic southwest Colorado, offers a cultural treasure chest in the city’s three fantastic museums.  The rich history and depictions of yesteryear are on full display at the Ute Indian Museum, the Museum of the Mountain West and the Montrose County Historical Museum. 

Ute Indian Museum (www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/UteIndian/Ute_indian.htm/970-249-3098)

Located on the original 8.65-acre homestead site of Chief Ouray (the leader of the Ute people) and his wife, Chipeta, the Ute Indian Museum is one of the most complete collections of the Utes in the nation. The museum complex includes the Chief Ouray Memorial Park, Chipeta’s Crypt, a native plants garden, shady picnic areas, walking paths (with a link to the larger city-wide trail system), teepees, and a memorial to the Spanish conquistadors who traveled through the area in 1776. 

Museum of the Mountain West (www.mountainwestmuseum.com/970-249-4162)
More than 500,000 artifacts of the Mountain West from 1880 to 1930 are displayed in store and office settings at the Museum of the Mountain West. All tours take about two hours and are guided by a knowledgeable docent, offering an experiential taste of what it was like to live in Western Colorado in the early days. The Museum of the Mountain West is also available for weddings and special event rental, as well as conference space.

Montrose County Historical Museum (www.montrose-colo.com/virtual/museum.htm/970-249-2085)

Housed in the original railroad depot, the Montrose County Historical Museum focuses on all facets of early-day pioneer life including, a life-size homesteader’s cabin (the highlight of the experience), horse-drawn farm machinery, and even a Children’s Corner with a delightful display of dolls, toys and baby furniture. 

Visitors may also delight in Montrose’s “outdoor museum” and continue with the history lesson on foot by following the self-guided Historic Montrose Downtown Walking Tour.  This trek includes 12 interpretive signs and a map from the Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism (www.visitmontrose.com), Visitor’s Center or City Hall.

About Montrose (www.visitmontrose.com)

Montrose is a uniquely-authentic town that has carved out a place for itself in the landscape and culture of Colorado.  Montrose was recently named to Outdoor Life magazine’s annual list of the 200 best towns in America for outdoorsmen.  Seventy-three percent of the land surrounding the city is public land, making Montrose a Mecca for all kinds of outdoor activities, including: hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, road biking and mountain biking.  A multi-faceted community, Montrose serves up layer upon layer of discoveries, each more unique than the last.  Whether visitors are looking for adventure, agritourism, history, culture, shopping, fine dining or anything in between, Montrose has a little something for everyone. 

Contacts:

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Jenni Sopsic, Montrose Association of Commerce and Tourism, 970.708.1182, jenni@montroseact.com

# # #

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Fast, Easy Updates on Western Colorado Food, Wine, Art, Culture, Outdoors: The Blogs are Back!

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Grand Junction, Colo. — Want to learn about food, wine, art, culture and the great outdoors of western Colorado quickly, easily and in one place?

Good news. The Grand Junction blogs are back (www.visitgrandjunction.com). Starting up again May 1, three of the state’s well-known experts will offer quick takes and insight into what’s going on in western Colorado. Visitors can check the regular posts for updates as well as “Ask the Expert” about their own questions and topics of interest.

Food and Wine – Wayne Smith: The Grand Junction food and wine scene; where to go; what to do; local farms, vineyards, wines and cuisine; recipes

Affectionately known by locals as “Chef Wayne,” Smith walked into his first professional kitchen at the age of 15 and has been pleasing palates ever since. He’s worked in California and Hawaii, but now lives, cooks and teaches the culinary arts at Mesa State College in Grand Junction. Chef Wayne’s passion is in simple creations from the region’s locally produced food and wine. His philosophy is that life is too short to not experience new things whenever you can, and too long to eat the same thing day in and day out.

 

Art and Culture – Dianna Fritzler: Movies, music, art, theater, studios, exhibitions, festivals, holiday happenings

Her work as a professional artist and a self-proclaimed obsession with all things artsy make Dianna the queen of Grand Junction’s cultural scene. She keeps her pulse on the area’s thriving arts scene, and never tires of talking about it. A professional painter whose work appears in art galleries from Denver to Santa Fe, Dianna brings together her love of the area, her experiences traveling the art world and her personal passion for the arts in her blog.

 

Outdoors – Bill Haggerty: The best area hikes, trails and desert flowers; float and raft trips and tips; fishing; birding; mountain and road biking; Nordic skiing
 
An avid outdoorsman, Bill Haggerty spends his time exploring the woods, waters, wildlife and trails that make Grand Junction an outdoor lover’s paradise. He’s hosted a TV show on wildlife, written a detailed hiking guidebook, pens an outdoors column for the local newspaper, and has enjoyed just about every recreational opportunity the area offers.

The former spokesperson for the Colorado Division of Wildlife has worked with wildlife biologists in the field, produced stories about wildlife and hiked – some would say – every trail between Grand Junction and southeastern Utah. All of his research spills over into his blog, so readers can come along with him on great trips through the awe-inspiring landscape surrounding Grand Junction.

 About Grand Junction (www.visitgrandjunction.com)

Nestled near 11,000-foot Grand Mesa and the 7,500-foot Book Cliffs, Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. At an altitude of 4,586 feet, warm summers and moderate spring, fall and winter seasons allow for year-round golf, hiking and biking. Boasting more than 275 days of sunshine annually, Grand Junction recently was named one of the eight sunniest cities in the United States by TourismReview.com.

 Among Grand Junction’s spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons are the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, the Colorado National Monument, Bookcliff Wild Horse Area, two national scenic byways and five golf courses. Grand Junction lies in the heart of the Colorado-Utah Dinosaur Diamond, and is internationally known for its wealth of dinosaur excavation sites, exhibits and fossils. The area is also home to Colorado’s wine country, with nearly 30 vineyards and wineries.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

Mesa Verde Country(R) Agritourism Gets Boost from U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

– Grant helps Bureau tie together agriculture, archaeology –

In southwest Colorado’s Mesa Verde Country(R), agriculture has historically been a key piece of the cultural and economic fabric. Now, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the area is making that history its present and future.

Mesa Verde Country will use the $50,000 grant for its “Agricultural Adventures” program, designed to communicate the benefits and details of local producers to regional and national audiences.

“Agritourism is a popular term, and a fast-growing industry, but making it tangible and accessible to the public can be challenging,” explains Lynn Dyer, director of the Mesa Verde Country Visitor Information Bureau. “Our intent is to help people learn and experience agriculture through real, hands-on experiences. That’s agritourism.”

Key elements of the program include a new brochure and expansion of the Mesa Verde Country Web site (www.mesaverdecountry.com) to tie together the archaeology, agriculture and scenic attractions of the area. For example, how to incorporate the relationships between Mesa Verde National Park, a Navajo-Churro sheep ranch, a brewery and a ranch in the area’s historic McElmo Canyon. The site will expand to offer podcasts with local farmers and ranchers, real-time information on farmers markets and special events, as well as “how-to” presentations for aspiring farmers and gardeners.”

The “Agricultural Adventures” section of the Web site already makes it easy and fun to explore the region’s bounty. Newly added pages contain information on every form of local agriculture, says Dyer, ranging from an antique tractor museum and historic agricultural sites to a state-of-the-art biofuel production facility. Visitors will find detailed information on:

-Ranches: Yak, alpaca, camel and reindeer ranches; tours and stays at working ranches

-Farms, orchards and mills: Tours; pick-your-own opportunities for apples, peaches, pears, pumpkins and other produce.

-Livestock: Auctions and processors of locally-produced cattle, sheep and hogs.

-Produce: Farm stands, farmers markets featuring locally-grown produce and related products.

-Food, wine, beer: Local distilleries, restaurants, wineries, and microbreweries, as well as local coffee brewers..

-Greenhouses and nurseries: Native plants, heirloom seeds, and other locally grown products.

For information on Mesa Verde Country® agricultural destinations and events, call 800-530-2998 or visit www.mesaverdecountry.com.

(end)

Contacts: Lynn Dyer, Mesa Verde Country® Visitor Information Bureau, 800-530-2998, lynnd@mesaverdecountry.com

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970-887-2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »

Montrose Museums

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

NEWS RELEASE

 

Contacts:

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970.887.2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com

Jenni Sopsic, Montrose Visitors and Convention Bureau, 970.708.1182, jenni@visitmontrose.net

 

Montrose Museums Give Visitors a Glimpse Back in Time

 

When planning your trip to Montrose, Colo., be sure to carve out some time to enjoy the cultural treasure chests that are the city’s three fantastic museums.  The rich history and depictions of the ways of life from the past and present in the Montrose area are on full display at the Montrose Historical Museum, Ute Indian Museum and the Museum of the Mountain West. 

 

Montrose Historical Museum (www.montrose-colo.com/virtual/museum.htm) – housed in the original railroad depot, the Montrose Historical Museum focuses on all facets of early-day pioneer life from horse-drawn farm machinery, a life-size homesteader’s cabin and even a Children’s Corner with a delightful display of dolls, toys and baby furniture.

 

            Location: 21 N Rio Grande Ave

            Phone: 970.249.2085

Hours: May thru October: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Admission:

Adults: $4

Seniors over 55: $3

Students age 12-21: $

Children age 11 and younger: 50¢

 

Ute Indian Museum (www.coloradohistory.org/hist_sites/UteIndian/Ute_indian.htm) – located on the original 8.65-acre homestead site of Chief Ouray, leader of the Ute People and his wife, Chipeta, is one of the most complete collections of the Ute People in the nation. The museum complex includes shady picnic areas, walking paths (with a link to the larger city-wide trail system), and a memorial to the Spanish conquistadors who traveled through the area in 1776.

 

Location: 17253 Chipeta Dr.

Phone: 970.249.3098

Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Sundays and Oct. 9, Nov. 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 25, Dec. 31)

Admission:
Adults: $4.50
Seniors (over 65): $4.00
Students/Youth (6-16): $2.00
Children (under 6): Free
Colorado Historical Society members: Free
Friends of the Ute Indian Museum: Free

 

Museum of the Mountain West (www.mountainwestmuseum.com/) – More than 500,000 artifacts from the Mountain West from 1880 to 1930 are displayed in store and office settings at the Museum of the Mountain West. Guided tours are available if scheduled ahead of time. The Museum of the Mountain West is also available for weddings and special event rental and conference space. Annual passes and historical building sponsorship can be obtained by contacting the museum.

 

Location: 68169 East Miami Road

Phone: 970.240.3400

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Admission:

Adults in groups of 5 or more – $5/person
Adults in groups of less than 5 -$6/person
Children under 18 – $3/person

 

Also, visitors may enjoy Montrose’s “outdoor museum” and continue with the history lesson on foot by following the self-guided Historic Montrose Downtown Walking Tour.  This trek includes 12 interpretive signs and a map from the Chamber of Commerce (www.montrosechamber.com/), Visitor’s Center or City Hall.

 

About Montrose:

Montrose, located in southwest Colorado, is a uniquely-authentic town that has carved out a place for itself in the landscape and culture of Colorado.  A multi-faceted town, Montrose serves up layer upon layer of discoveries, each more unique than the last.  Whether you are looking for adventure, agritourism, history, culture, shopping, fine dining or anything in between, Montrose has a little something for everyone.  To learn more, visit www.visitmontrose.net or contact Gaylene Ore at 970.887.2536 / gaylene@orecommunications.com.

 

# # #

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »