PRESS CONTACT:
Luke Perkins, Manager of Communications and Public Relations
303-866-3670 | luke.perkins@state.co.us

Built in 1858 – ten years after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and in the midst of American expansion into the west – Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center features a number of ancestral adobe buildings which are the oldest structures in the State of Colorado’s care. These historic structures embody a multi-faceted history rooted in the San Luis Valley of American conquest, Spanish colonization, Mestizo and Indigenous ancestry, and they served as the living quarters of the Union Army, including Buffalo Soldiers. 

However, most of these structures are not heated or weatherized, severely limiting community use of the site during the colder winter months.

"History Colorado is excited to demonstrate how historic preservation and clean energy technology can easily co-exist," said Dawn DiPrince, president/CEO of History Colorado and State Historic Preservation Officer. "Updating geothermal technology and improving energy efficiency at our nationally recognized Fort Garland Museum means that more people can access the museum all year round. These improvements also create opportunities for History Colorado to exhibit rare or fragile documents and objects at the site -- providing even greater accessibility and connection to San Luis Valley residents."

In addition to assisting with year-round visitation, engagement, and proper collections care, this investment will support the Hands-On History services provided to the community.

Founded to supply safe, affordable, curricula-aligned educational programming for school-aged children, Hands-On History provides 5th day programming for families enrolled in several school districts in the area that have transitioned to four-day school weeks, as well as full day camps during school breaks in the winter, spring, and summer.

“In so many ways, the Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center exemplifies History Colorado’s Community Museum network,” DiPrince said. “As an organization, we pride ourselves on being active participants within our communities. Under Eric Carpio’s leadership, our Fort Garland site has been responsive to community needs and feedback and this funding will expand his team’s capacity to continue their important work and meet the expanding needs of Fort Garland and the San Luis Valley.”

Requests for proposals for the geothermal and weatherizing efforts at Fort Garland will open later this fall and work is expected to be complete in late 2025. Members of the public with questions, comments, or concerns about this project are encouraged to contact Eric Carpio, Chief Community Museum Officer and Director of Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center, at 719-379-3512 or eric.carpio@state.co.us.

About the Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center
Fort Garland was built in 1858, ten years after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, during American expansion into the west. Today, visitors can explore life in a nineteenth century military fort by walking the parade grounds and touring five of the original adobe buildings. The Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center is a community museum of History Colorado.

The Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center is located at 29477 CO-159, Fort Garland, Colorado, and is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. Visit www.FortGarlandMuseum.org or call 719-379-3512 for more information. 

Sobre el Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center
Fuerte Garland fue construido en 1858, diez años después del Tratado de Guadalupe Hidalgo, durante la expansión estadounidense al oeste americano. Hoy los visitantes pueden explorar la vida diaria en un fuerte militar del siglo XIX por caminar el campo de desfiles y visitar cinco de los edificios originales de adobe. El Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center es un museo de History Colorado.

El Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center es ubicado en 29477 CO-159, Fort Garland, Colorado. El horario del museo es 9 AM a 5 PM, cada día. Para más información se puede visitar www.FortGarlandMuseum.org o llamar por 719-379-3512.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 145-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado. 

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado