FALL INTO PROGRAMS WITH THE TOWN OF WINDSOR MUSEUMS
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Museum Guide, Windsor’s source for all things history, art, and nature at the Town of Windsor Museums! The fall season brings cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and the annual return of our autumn programs, exhibits, and events at the Town of Windsor Museums.
Did you know that Windsor’s Lakeview Cemetery has been in existence since at least 1885? Discover the cemetery’s story during our annual Twilight Tours of Lakeview Cemetery in October. Join a trained educator from the Town of Windsor Museums during this guided tour through the cemetery to explore the amazing stories of early Windsor residents and how they banded together to form our community. On Saturday, October 19, the Windsor History Museum will turn into an interactive murder mystery during our third annual Night at the Museum: Mystery of the Missing Engineer. Gather a team to decode clues, interview suspects, and figure out whodunit! Then, don’t miss our annual Halloween Carnival on Saturday, October 26. In addition to free candy, music, and fun, this year will feature all-new happenings, including a dog costume contest and a Zombie Fun Run!
If you love art, don’t miss our annual Community Art Show opening on September 13 and the return of First Fridays at the Art & Heritage Center. The Community Art Show’s theme is “Free for All,” encouraging submissions from everyone in a variety of mediums. On October 4 and November 1 from 5-8pm, you can visit the AHC for live
music, award presentations, refreshments, activities, and more—all free!
Lastly, if you love nature and being outside, our nature programs are your place to be! Join our Flock-Watchers birding club to find a community of bird enthusiasts who explore different parks and open spaces each month. Homeschooled children can join our Eco-Reporters Hiking Club, and all kids ages 6-11 can join our monthly Super Science Saturday program. We can’t wait to see you at the Museums!
- By Katherine Mercier, Museum Education Coordinator
MUSEUMS
WINDSOR HISTORY MUSEUM
Open through September 1
Unlock Windsor’s past at the Windsor History Museum! Explore what life was like in early Windsor at the 1882 Train Depot, caboose, schoolhouse, farm house, beet shack, and chapel. Learn about Morse code, conduct a lesson in the schoolhouse, and experience what it was like to live in a two-room beet shack. Discover what makes Windsor unique at the Windsor History Museum!
Free Admission
Location: Boardwalk Park, 100 N. 5th Street
Fridays, Noon – 4 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sundays, Noon – 4 p.m.
GUIDED TOURS OF WINDSOR HISTORY MUSEUM
By Appointment
Do you have a group that would be interested in touring the Windsor History Museum? Tours of the museum are offered free of charge for groups of four or more! Tours last 45 minutes to 1 hour and visit the different buildings at the museum. Tours are led by experienced docents and can be customized to your group. Tours can also be conducted virtually for groups of any size over Zoom or Google Meet. For more information about guided tours, or to schedule a tour, please contact the Museum Education Coordinator at 970-674-3532 or kmercier@windsorgov.com.
ABOUT MUSEUMS
The Town of Windsor Museums comprises the Windsor History Museum; the Art & Heritage Center; and the Historic Halfway Homestead, which is currently under development.
The Museum Education team provides educational programming for residents of all ages across various subjects from Windsor history to outdoor education.
EXHIBITIONS
ART & HERITAGE CENTER
Formerly Windsor’s Town Hall built in 1909, this historic building is now a hub for art, culture, and history in Windsor. The Art & Heritage Center hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year, both from the museum’s collection and from outside organizations. The Art & Heritage Center is also the location of much of Windsor’s cultural programming.
Open hours: Fridays-Sundays, Noon – 4 p.m. during exhibitions.
FREE FOR ALL 10TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY ART SHOW
The Town of Windsor Museums’ tenth annual Community Art and Poetry Exhibition is for everyone! Artists of all ages, abilities, styles and mediums celebrate a decade of community creativity with their unique creations. Come explore the imaginations and skill of our talented local artists!
Exhibition Runs: September 14 - November 17
First Friday Visual Art Opening: Friday, October 4th 6:00-7:30 pm.
We will be announcing awards for the “Best in Show” winners and celebrating our local art community. Enjoy snacks and live music from Maxwell Hughes! This event is free to attend; bring the whole family.
MINI-EXHIBITIONS AT THE COMMUNITY REC CENTER
Windsor Lake Artists Showcase
The Windsor Lake Artists all met while painting together at the Art & Heritage Center. Take a look at this display of their latest masterpieces and maybe purchase one as a gift (or for yourself).
Opening: Saturday, August 17th
Community Recreation Center, 250 N. 11th St.
MUSEUM EVENTS
FIRST FRIDAYS
OCTOBER FIRST FRIDAY: FREE FOR ALL VISUAL ART CELEBRATION
Join us at the Art and Heritage Center for the exciting return of First Fridays! We will be announcing awards for the “Best in Show” winners and celebrating our local art community. Enjoy snacks and live music from Maxwell Hughes! The gallery will showcase artists from across Northern Colorado, working in a myriad of disciplines including painting, drawing, mixed media, photography and poetry. Bring the whole family to celebrate the return of First Friday to the Town of Windsor!
Friday, October 4, 5-8 p.m.
@Art & Heritage Center, 116 5th St
NOVEMBER FIRST FRIDAY: FREE FOR ALL POETRY NIGHT
Come out to the second First Friday event at the Art & Heritage Center. The gallery walls will be full of artwork and the air will be full of poetry. We will be hosting live poetry readings against the backdrop of the Free for All community art show. On top of that we will be announcing our poetry “Best in Show” winners.
Friday, November 11, 5-8 p.m.
@Art & Heritage Center, 116 5th St
TWILIGHT TOURS OF LAKEVIEW CEMETERY
Embark on an evening tour of Windsor’s historic Lakeview Cemetery with a docent from the Town of Windsor Museums. Guided by lantern light, discover incredible stories of early Windsor residents. From a quirky inventor who went by “The Only Genuine” to a beloved local doctor and his music-teacher sister, we’ll explore Windsor history and learn about the story of the cemetery itself.
Interested in a private tour? Groups of 10+ can book their own tour for only $12 per person! Contact kmercier@ windsorgov.com or call 970-674-3532 to book.
October 18, 25, 26 and 30.
Registration Required.
@Lakeview Cemetery, 32815 CO-257.
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: MYSTERY OF THE MISSING ENGINEER
Have you ever wanted to play a mystery game like Clue in real life? Put on your detective hat and gather your team to discover the culprit during this night at the Windsor History Museum! Gather your team of 2- 6 people for this exciting evening where you will interview key witnesses, explore the museum for clues after dark, and guess who the main suspect is. Teams who guess correctly will be entered to win a prize!
Saturday, October 19.
Registration Required, $60 per team.
@Windsor History Museum, 100 N. 5th St.
See the latest calendar for more events and information. recreationliveshere.com/Events
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Join us for a spine-chilling event full of fun and frights at the Halloween Carnival! This family-friendly event promises a thrilling experience for all ages including a Zombie Dash, trick-or-treating at the Windsor History Museum, dog costume contest, beer, and spooky music! Don’t miss out on this hauntingly good time. Pre-registration for the Zombie Dash is required. Saturday, October 26.
HOMESCHOOL DAYS
Are you going to school at home? This fall, the museum is offering two FREE Homeschool Days at the Museum packed with family-friendly learning and fun, one at a local centennial farm and the other at the Windsor History Museum! Visit anytime between 10am-2pm for exciting activities connected to local and Colorado history! All activities are customized for PreK-12th grade students, so bring the whole family!
No need to register in advance.
OCTOBER: LITTLE FARM ON THE PRAIRIE
Experience life on a hundred-year-old farm during this exciting day offered in partnership with the WindsorSeverance Historical Society! The Von Trotha-Firestien Farm has been an operational farm since the 1880s. We’ll think about the animals, plants, and people that kept a farm running in the early 1900s. Tour the original barn, create your own quilt square, do a scavenger hunt full of farm activities, and pop over next door to the Tigges Pumpkin Farm to pick your own pumpkin! The first 50 families will receive a free pumpkin. Additional pumpkins will be available for purchase. Travel back in time during this exciting day on the farm!
Thursday, October 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
@Von Trotha-Firestien Farm, 30951 Weld County Rd 27, Greeley, CO 80631
NOVEMBER: UTE STEM DAY
For centuries, the Ute people have survived and thrived across Colorado. Using hands-on activities, we’ll make connections between the past and present as we discover how the Ute people have used science, technology, engineering, and math to live in our state—and we’ll learn that they are still here today! We’ll also do an interactive art workshop inspired by the work of modern Ute artists.
Thursday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @Windsor History Museum, 100 N. 5th St.
