Byers-Evans House/Denver History Museum, Denver, CO - Museum

The Byers-Evans House reveals the times and lifestyle of two pioneer families that were well known in the early days of Denver, CO. This impressive Italianate home was built in 1883 and is now restored with the elegance it once had.

The builders of the home, Mr. and Mrs. William Newton Byers built the home and lived there for six years. He was the publisher of the Rocky Mountain News, which is still in operation today. It was then sold to William Grey Evans, who was an officer in the Denver Tramway Company. Evans was also the son of the second territorial governor of Colorado, with whom Byers had helped to promote many large state and city projects.

There is no doubt that these two names - Byers and Evans - are among the most influential people in the early history of Denver. Many of Denver's important civic institutions, including hospitals, libraries, museums, and much more, were planned and built through the instrumentality of these two men. In addition, there are also two mountain peaks nearby that honor both men.

The last child of the Evans family, Margaret (daughter of William and Cornelia), had married a man named Davis. Once her husband died, she joined her two sisters and lived in the home with them. Eventually, they all spent the rest of their lives living in the Byers-Evans home. She lived in the home until she died in 1981. At that time, it was given to the Colorado Historical Society, and they have turned it into a museum.

You can see in this home a lot of the furniture, furnishings, and elegant decorations that the family enjoyed over the years. Since it was lived in by its original family members, even some of their collections remained in the home after they had died. The family also did little in the way of major renovations or additions.

The tour of the home starts with a movie about the home and the residents. It provides background information and scenes of what will be seen on the tour.

The museum contains many photographs of the residents who lived here. You can also see from photos many of the events that were held in their home, and some of their guests, too.

Special exhibits are also shown at the museum from time to time. These can be in different forms such as art, photographic, etc. Special teas are also given throughout the year.

The Byers-Evans House is located in the heart of Denver, CO - right across the street from the Art Museum. Tours are given every half-hour between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. The last tour on each day starts at 2:30 PM. It is closed on Sundays. Seniors and students are eligible for discounts. Special programs are given for third and fourth graders who come as a classroom with their teachers.

A gift store in the museum is also available. It contains a number of items, books, and gifts related to the Byers-Evans House of Denver, CO. There is also a good-sized collection of Van Briggle art pottery available, too.