Museum of the Mountain West - Montrose, CO - explore Colorado's history from the 1800's to the 1930's

The Museum of the Mountain West was founded in 1997 by Richard E. Fike a former historical archaeologist. Fike has worked for Colorado and Utah's Bureau of Land Management as a state archaeologist and committees for the Register of Historical Places for both the state and federal governments. He was only four years old when he began to collect the western memorabilia and the first museum he has was at the age of eight in the guest room at his parents' home.

When Fike reached the age of twelve he had already began a card catalog of his artifacts. He has also authored a number of historical articles and books in addition to being considered an expert in the area of historical medicinal bottles. Rich Fike currently serves as the President for the museum's Board of Directors and contributes as the historical preservationist and director of the museum. He eventually went on to found the Museum of the Mountain West to show the fondness that he has for the west.

Admission charges to the Museum of the Mountain are $10 for adults, $5 for children and $3 for school groups of ten or more students. The museum is open from 8:30 until 4:30 during the week. Guided tours are available that last approximately two hours and take visitors through the 1880's all the way to the 1930's of Colorado's western history. Groups that wish to have fifteen or more people or tour on the weekend are asked to call the facility to make arrangements.

The Museum of the Mountain West hosts special events for visitors as well. The historical church building from 1913 is being restored with exterior paint, dressing and restrooms. The building can accommodate up to two hundred people which is dependent on the arrangement of the room. The cost of renting the facility is anywhere from $300 to $500 which is dependent on preparation time.

The main building's conference room can be used to host anniversaries, wedding receptions and other parties. This room can hold thirty people at provided tables or fifty people using chairs only. The cost of half a day in the Conference Room is $250 or $500 for a whole day. The charge to use the Conference Room in conjunction with the Main Street is $600 for the entire day and $300 for half of the day.

The Museum of the Mountain West also has a Gift Shop with items the cost anywhere from one dollar to three thousand dollars to purchase. The Gift Shop opened during July of 2006 offering a variety of items that remind visitors of the old west and continues along these lines today. The museum can be found at the intersection of East Miami Road and United States Highway 50 about two miles to the east of Montrose, Colorado. The museum's main entrance is located at 68169 East Miami Road.

Anyone interested in the history of Colorado should make it a point to visit the Museum of the Mountain West. Additional information about the facility and available services should contact the museum directly.