From displays of Native American pottery to immersive exhibits like the re-creation of the pioneer town of Grand Junction, the Museum of the West’s permanent and temporary exhibits will take you on a journey through a thousand years of western Colorado history. You can enjoy shopping in the Museum of the West Gift Shop.
Highlights of the Museum of the West
Immersive Exhibits
Immersive exhibits not only allow you to discover western Colorado history, but experience it. The Museum of the West boasts a number of immersive exhibits that remove the barrier between you and the artifacts, offering you the opportunity to step into history.
Adobe Pottery
The Museum of the West is home to one of the finest collections of Southwest pottery in the U.S. Step inside an adobe structure, showcasing Native American pottery from the Museum’s collection and learn about distinctive cultural groups that lived in the southwest as far back as 200 AD.
LaFrance Fire Truck
On display at the Museum is a restored 1921 LaFrance fire truck. Climb aboard and crank the siren or examine the chain driven wheels of the fire truck. Interesting facts about firemen like why Dalmatians are the firemen’s best friend are presented in the exhibit.
Uranium Mine
The Museum’s Uranium Mine will take you to the depths of a replica of a full size uranium mine. Underground you will meet a miner hard at work and learn about the uranium boom through interactive exhibits.
Audio Stations
Stop by the audio stations throughout the Museum. Audio stations will teach you the language of the Ute, indigenous people of the Great Basin, now living primarily in Utah and Colorado.
Thrailkill Firearms
See firearms used by outlaws in the Thrailkill Firearms exhibit. Recognized as one of the finest collections of firearms in the West, the Thrailkill collection includes the Winchester collection, Civil War carbines and pistols, and weapons that once belonged to Chief Ouray, Buffalo Bill, the Butch Cassidy Gang and Kit Carson.
Sterling T. Smith Education Tower
Delight in panoramic views of Mesa County from the Museum’s Sterling T. Smith Education Tower. Featured in the tower top is a working weather station. The tower also presents information on downtown historic preservation efforts, regional archaeology and geology.
Be sure to stop by the Museum of the West Gift Shop, carrying educational items, jewelry and fun stuff. Shop a wide selection of books including books on Native American history, poetry books, cookbooks and books on the history of western Colorado. Silver jewelry, glass jewelry, lapidary corn jewelry made by local artisans and commercial jewelry is available to purchase. Additionally, the Museum of the West Gift Shop carries toys and games for all ages such as marbles and 4D puzzles.
Travel Tip
- The Museum of the West is ADA compliant.