Black American West Museum

To me, history is not just something that you read about in books. It should be a hands-on venture too. Museums enhance the learning process because it makes history come alive and relevant.

One museum that does this well is the Black American West Museum in Denver, Colorado. While visiting in this area several years back, this was a place I put on our itinerary to see. I'm so glad I did. So much information was gleaned from the experience. The staff members were very pleasant and knowledgeable. This added to the enjoyable time spent there.

This museum was founded by Paul W. Stewart in 1971. It is committed to the collecting, preserving and disseminating of contributions that Blacks made in the Old West.

At this museum you will see exhibits of African-Americans who worked as soldiers, miners, blacksmiths, ranchers, teachers and homesteaders. Of special significance is the fact that this museum is the former home of Dr. Justina Ford. She was Colorado's first African-American female doctor.

DISPLAYS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

HomesteaderExhibit- visitors learn about the town of Dearfield, Colorado. This town was discovered by O.T. Jackson in 1910. This black pioneer town boasted of 500 residents. Back in that time that would be considered a thriving community. Unfortunately it met its demise during the time of the Depression along with dust storms and drought. It struggled with a few faithful residents until the early 1940's. It eventually reached ghost-town status.

Cowboy Exhibit - You will see information about Black cowboys. Things such as saddles, spurs, hats, chaps, boots and all things that cowboys used will provide interesting tidbits of information about the life they lived.

Military Exhibit - Homage is paid to African-Americans known as Buffalo Soldiers. What a role they played in our history. Visitors will also learn of the outstanding work of the Tuskegee Airmen and the important work they did during WWII.

Hall of Education - Visitors can watch an old Western movie starring Herbert Jeffries. He was a singing cowboy from the 1930's. Here you can also view a 30 minute documentary of the town of Dearfield.

Bookstore - All kinds of information as it relates to the Old West and how Blacks helped build it can be purchased from here. Anything from books, t-shirts, magnets and everything in between can be located in this part of the museum.

You won't go wrong by adding this to your list of places to see while you vacation. If I'm ever in the area again I would definitely go for another visit.

Their address is 3091 California Street in Denver, Colorado. The phone number is 303-292-2566

SOURCE:

Personal experience

www.blackamericanwestmuseum.com