September 10, 2024

A bit about the Keystone drill

The Keystone drill was originally brought to Breckenridge in 1898. It made its way to the Fairplay/Alma area circa 1938, lived in Como for more than 30 years, and came back to Breckenridge in 2018 before being moved to the B&B trailhead earlier this year.
July 31, 2024

The journey home: An 1862 ambrotype returns to Breckenridge

An 1862 ambrotype of French Gulch makes the journey home to Breckenridge from the Montana Historical Society
May 30, 2024

Pressure, preservation, and the path forward

Preservation is a key part of our mission at Breckenridge History. But what does preservation really mean?
March 16, 2024

Why Museums Matter

Breckenridge History joined the American Alliance of Museums in emphasizing why museums matter at Museum Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.
January 29, 2024

What’s in store in 2024

Learn what's in store in 2024 for Breckenridge History. The year ahead will include exciting new programs and museum updates.
January 02, 2024

2023 Year in Review

November 13, 2023

Learn about Ute history for National American Indian Heritage Month

Learn about Ute history and their connection to Breckenridge as part of National American Indian Heritage Month.
August 06, 2023

Celebrating Breckenridge’s musical history

Learn more about Breckenridge's musical history and the characters who have brought the sounds of summer to Breckenridge over the years.
June 18, 2023

Making History Happen: A new exhibit at Lomax

During the month of May we were all about making history happen with a new exhibit at Lomax and other adventures.
May 06, 2023

Connect with history even when the museums are closed

There are plenty of ways to the connect with history even when the museums are closed in Breckenridge, including hikes and digital adventures.
April 27, 2023

Our Collective History: Confronting difficult histories

One of our new blog post categories is Our Collective History, but what does that really mean? When we think about history, there are specific events, ideas, and people who have helped to shape eras and places in...
April 19, 2023

Why We Collect: Nature and our mining history

A look at the new blog post category, Why We Collect, with a focus on nature and how our mining history is still on display.
March 24, 2023

The Ten Mile Range and the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument

Softly undulating along Breckenridge’s western horizon, the Ten Mile Range marks the boundary of the Upper Blue River Valley. Towering above the town of Breckenridge, iconic Peak 8 is as immediately recognizable as the Matterhorn is to Zermatt...
March 23, 2023

The Mysteries of Fort Mary B.

The community of Breckenridge began in 1859-60 as a collection of rustic log cabins and a protective fort when a group of hearty prospectors and one woman over-wintered along the Blue River. The fort became known as Fort...
March 22, 2023

Breckenridge’s Airport Legacy: Part 2

Breckenridge’s Airport Road remains the sole legacy of the history of airplanes and wished-for airport development in town.  From the beginning of Breckenridge as a ski town, airplanes played an important role in the community’s growth. And while...
March 22, 2023

Breckenridge’s Airport Legacy: Part 1

Breckenridge has an Airport Road, but no airport. Curious residents and visitors often ask Breckenridge History about the legacy of Airport Road. Learn more about the long and convoluted history of airplanes and airports in the Upper Blue...
March 22, 2023

Women as Tall as Our Mountains: Biographical Sketches by Local Women

I would call this little book “small but mighty”! This compilation of mini-biographies of pioneer Summit County women was a project of our local Summit County chapter of P.E.O. (P.E.O. is a philanthropic and educational organization interested in...
March 07, 2023

Florence Watson’s Way: A poet in Breckenridge

Florence Watson was a poet in Breckenridge during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Her book of poetry, "Sweet Summerland" was exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair and she wrote numerous stories for the local newspapers.
October 31, 2022

Bill Fountain’s Research Tips and How-to’s

People frequently ask Breckenridge History for information on their family or friends who were part of historic Breckenridge. A recent acquisition by the Breckenridge History Archives of a c. 1900 photo album by Otto Westerman provides an instructive...
October 27, 2022

Making History Accessible to All

History belongs to everyone. Making Breckenridge’s historic sites accessible is a top priority for Breckenridge History. From physical access to accommodations for hearing and sight impairments, learn more about the ways that Breckenridge History brings our community’s stories...
April 26, 2022

Louis Ford: Part 3 – The Final Years

Louis Ford, son of respected businessman and entrepreneur Barney L. Ford, chooses a life of crime in Part 3 of this series.
April 15, 2022

Louis Ford: Part 2 – Falls far from the Family Tree

Louis Ford is accused of theft by a client at the Cheyenne hotel owned by his well-respected father, Barney L. Ford.
April 15, 2022

Louis Ford: Part 1 – Early Years in the Wild West

Breckenridge History reveals on how Louis Ford, son of Barney and Julia Ford, was influenced by the 1860's Wild West in Cheyenne, WY.
March 29, 2022

Women of Willpower: Breckenridge Pioneers

Pioneering women of Breckenridge's early days survived and thrived in the unforgiving mountain environment of Colorado's mining communities.
March 21, 2022

Helen Rich and Belle Turnbull: The Ladies of French Street

Belle Turnbull and Helen Rich were women of literature who found inspiration in gritty Breckenridge, Colorado during the Great Depression.
March 03, 2022

Women of Willpower: Julia and Sarah Ford

Mr. Barney L. Ford ascended to wealth and political prominence in frontier Colorado but what about the women in his life - Julia and Sarah?
February 22, 2022

Myth-busting: The True Story of Barney Ford

Mr. Barney L. Ford's story changed completely in spring 2021 when the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance received a new primary source document.
January 24, 2022

Breckinridge or Breckenridge

Where did Breckenridge, Colorado get its name? Every town has its origin story.
January 24, 2022

What Happened to John C Breckinridge

Lending his name to the town’s post office chartered in February 1860, John Cabell Breckinridge was linked to Breckenridge, CO forever.
October 08, 2021

Celebrating the Indigenous People of Breckenridge, CO

Breckenridge History honors all history and celebrates the first human inhabitants of the area, the Utes.
October 04, 2021

A Community Interred: Historic Valley Brook Cemetery in Breckenridge

Valley Brook Cemetery reveals the history of a mountain community that enjoyed booms and endured busts of a remote mining town.
September 10, 2021

Father Dyer and Dyersville Ghost Town

Father John Lewis Dyer traveled to Breckenridge later in life but left his mark as a minister, miner, and mailman.
September 01, 2021

Time Travel at the Breckenridge Welcome Center Museum

Discover new exhibits at the Breckenridge Welcome Center and travel back in time to explore Main Street in 1888.
June 28, 2021

Washington Mill Exhibit

What happens after ore is extracted from the mountain? Check out the mill exhibit in Breckenridge to learn more and see authentic equipment.
June 09, 2021

New Research on Barney Ford Changes the Story Again

New research on the life and legacy of Barney Ford leads BHA to update our museum and interpretation.
May 15, 2021

Sam Adams and The Colorado River Exploring and Prospecting Party

Captain Sam Adams convinces the community of Breckenridge to help him seek passage to the Pacific, competing with John Wesley Powell.
March 17, 2021

Breckenridge’s No Man’s Land Celebration– An Excuse for a Party

Locals of Breckenridge, CO celebrated No Man’s Land Festival for decades, eventually leading to Ullr Fest, its famed winter carnival.
February 16, 2021

Rocky Mountain PBS to premiere Colorado Experience: Mr. Barney Ford

On Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 7 pm, Rocky Mountain PBS will premiere Colorado Experience: Mr. Barney Ford, a 56-minute documentary...
February 13, 2021

Breckenridge, CO: The First Ullr Dag Festival

Breckenridge’s first winter carnival, Ullr Dag, had a tall order to fill: make Breckenridge stand out from other ski resorts in Colorado.
February 13, 2021

Breckenridge, CO: The Origins of Ullr

Breckenridge’s Ullr Dag festival was dedicated to the proposition that all are entitled to a weekend of merry-making.
December 10, 2020

The Last of UllrDag

While UllrFest was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, that wasn't the first time people thought they had seen the last of UllrDag.
November 07, 2019

Breckenridge History Staff Visit Denver

Breckenridge History staff visit Denver to see how History Colorado and Denver Museum of Nature and Science preserve collection materials.
June 07, 2019

Top Three History Museums in Breckenridge

Enjoy a wide variety of subjects from natural to ski history at the top three free history museums in Breckenridge.
May 23, 2019

Unexpected fun in Breckenridge

Unexpected fun awaits in Breckenridge with these historic sites and adventures. Families can also enjoy great photo opportunities.