HERITAGE & CULTURE
A GEOGRAPHIC HUB WITH VIBRANT HISTORY
Gold rush history still echoes through our streets, but today’s Idaho Springs is also alive with creativity, heritage, and community spirit. From historic buildings and plaques to ghost tours, museums, and local gathering spaces, every corner has a story to tell.
Idaho Springs Heritage Museum and Visitor Center
2060 Miner Street
303-567-4382
The Visitor Center offers a wealth of information on the town of Idaho Springs and all it has to offer from restaurants, shopping and biking and hiking trails. In addition, to all things Idaho Springs, the Visitor Center features a unique gift shop that highlights more than 35 Colorado artists and a great selection of souvenirs and unique gifts. The Heritage Museum features a fun and informative museum full of unique exhibits of our mining history, early life, and the important role it played in establishing not only Idaho Springs, but the state of Colorado itself. Enjoy walking through an extensive mineral display, giant teepee, learning about local wildlife, and even check out some of the 10th Mountain Division training equipment from the Camp Hale training area.
Underhill Museum
1414 Miner Street
303-567-4382
Dr. James Underhill came to Idaho Springs in 1897 and was a prominent Colorado surveyor, mining engineer, and Harvard graduate. He and his wife, Lucy, constructed 1416 Miner Street as a combination home and office with two front entrances, one for business calls and the other for social visits. In 1963 his wife Lucy deeded the building to the Idaho Springs Public Library for use as a museum as it was her desire that it never become a tavern. Be sure to visit Lucy Underhill’s Victorian Garden and Courtyard at the back of the home which is also a unique event venue that can be rented for small get-togethers, weddings, receptions, business meetings or the like.