Gilpin History Museum, Front Range Travel Guide

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Explore Gilpin County's vibrant past at the Gilpin History Museum, home to mining artifacts and the famous Mountain Submarine.

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Gilpin History Museum

The Gilpin History Museum in Central City, Colorado, is housed in a restored 1870s schoolhouse and showcases the rich history of Gilpin County, from its mining boom to its social and economic development. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring mining memorabilia, a recreated Main Street, and the famed Mountain Submarine.

A brief summary to Gilpin History Museum

228 E 1st High St, Central City, Colorado, 80427, US
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Monday 10 am-4 pm
Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
Thursday 10 am-4 pm
Friday 10 am-4 pm
Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Sunday 10 am-4 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Gilpin History Museum.

Check the Gilpin Historical Society's website for information on special events and tours of other historic buildings in Central City.
Allow at least one hour to fully explore the museum's exhibits.
Consider visiting during the summer months when the museum is open daily.
Combine your museum visit with a stroll through Central City's historic streets to appreciate the town's architecture.

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Explore Gilpin History Museum on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Gilpin History Museum, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

The Gilpin History Museum is located at 228 E 1st High St in Central City. From the Central City Visitor Center at 139 Nevada St, walk east on Nevada Street, then turn right onto E 1st High St. The museum will be on your right.
Public Transport

From Denver, take the Bustang bus to Idaho Springs. From Idaho Springs, transfer to the Central City Free Ride shuttle, which operates on a 30-minute schedule and services existing bus stop locations in Black Hawk and Central City. The closest shuttle stop to the museum is Dragon Tiger Casino. From there, walk up Eureka Street to County Road, then turn right on County Road and right again on East First High Street. The museum is about a block and a half down. The bus from Denver to Idaho Springs is $6-$10. The Central City Free Ride shuttle is free.
Parking

Free public parking is available off-street in the Big T Lot across from City Hall at 141 Nevada Street, and at the Century Parking Garage at 111 Lawrence Street. From either location, walk to E 1st High St. From the Big T Lot, walk east on Nevada Street and turn right onto E 1st High St. From the Century Parking Garage, walk south on Lawrence Street, turn left on Spring Street, and then left again on E 1st High St. Metered parking is available on the streets of Central City for around $1.25 per hour.

Discover more about Gilpin History Museum

Step back in time at the Gilpin History Museum, located in a beautifully restored 1870 schoolhouse in Central City, Colorado. This museum offers a fascinating look into the history of Gilpin County, an area once known as the "Richest Square Mile on Earth" due to the abundant gold discovered during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1859.The museum's exhibits cover various aspects of life in Gilpin County, from its booming mining industry to its businesses and social life. You'll find mining memorabilia, artifacts, and photographs that vividly illustrate the lives of the 19th-century miners and settlers who shaped the region. A recreated Main Street provides a glimpse into the town's bustling past, while rotating displays explore regional and national history.One of the museum's highlights is the Mountain Submarine, a unique vessel recovered from Missouri Lake in 1944. Believed to have been constructed in the late 1890s, the submarine offers a fascinating example of early engineering and innovation in the mining era.The Gilpin History Museum is operated by the Gilpin Historical Society, which also offers tours of other historic buildings in Central City, including the Teller House Hotel and the Central City Opera House. A visit to the museum provides a comprehensive introduction to the area's rich heritage and sets the stage for exploring the many other historical attractions in Central City.The museum is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. During the rest of the year, visits are available by appointment.