Winter Warriors: The 10th Mountain Division in World War II explores the history of the United States Army's first and only winter warfare division forged in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, where they trained for their crucial breakthrough against the Nazi German Army in the mountains of Italy.  

The US military built Camp Hale just outside of Leadville, the highest altitude city in the United States, because of its secluded and harsh mountain terrain. During Camp Hale’s construction and operations, Leadville was a bustling hub for soldiers – and those supporting them – to live, buy groceries, and seek entertainment. In this way, the tucked away town of Leadville played a crucial role in Colorado, US and world history.

“The idea behind Camp Hale and the 10th Mountain Division was very unique and had never been done before or since,” said Hannah Cary, director of History Colorado’s Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin. “Many Coloradans know the broad strokes of this special story. Winter Warriors aims to go deeper – showing how these soldiers succeeded thanks to a group effort that extended further than the men who went abroad to fight. Camp Hale didn’t just spring up out of nowhere and disappear after the war. The men and women who built up this encampment created lasting legacies for Leadville and beyond."

The historic Healy House Museum is a fitting space to tell this story. Located in the heart of downtown Leadville, the Healy House and adjacent Dexter Cabin provide a glimpse into the boom and bust cycles that made this mining town thrive in the Victorian era of the 1800s. Then, around the time that soldiers were training at Camp Hale, the Healy House was a meeting place for the local chapter of the Red Cross during World War II.

The Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin and its guided tours have mainly focused on the history of Leadville between 1870 to 1920, tracing the rise and fall of the gold and silver mining era. Winter Warriors extends the story further to understand how the construction of Camp Hale changed life in Leadville and the rest of Colorado. At Camp Hale, soldiers trained in mountain climbing, Alpine and Nordic skiing, cold-weather survival, and various weapons and ordnance. Up to 15,000 soldiers lived at Camp Hale during its heyday.

“Before World War II, the US Army had never experienced mountain warfare on this scale. This exhibition explores how the rugged Colorado Rockies trained and transformed these men into elite mountain soldiers,” said Sydney Mauck, History Colorado’s Anschutz Military Collections Specialist. “Winter Warriors is a true community effort, reflecting this division’s lasting impact on our state. History Colorado proudly partners with the Denver Public Library and the 10th Mountain Division Foundation to preserve these legacies through the 10th Mountain Division Resource Center, established at the request of veterans in 1987. This exhibition gives us a chance to draw from this collection and share unique stories and artifacts with the public.” 

After returning from deployment, veterans of the 10th Mountain Division founded or managed more than 60 ski resorts, including some in the same mountains where they trained. In the recent Winter Olympics in Italy, US Alpine skier River Radamus competed while honoring the legacy of his grandfather, Joseph G. McNealus, a Bronze Star recipient and veteran of the 10th Mountain Division who fought in those same Italian Alps.

Through a fascinating display of historic objects, photos, and first-hand personal accounts from the troops themselves, Winter Warriors pays tribute to the elite mountaineers who broke through the Nazi lines at tremendous cost: nearly one-third of its members were wounded or killed. This exhibition also explores lesser known stories, such as the extraordinary construction feat achieved by more than 10,000 men in just seven months, and the Women’s Army Corps who served as motor pool drivers and mechanics, supply specialists, secretaries, and more while stationed at Camp Hale. 

Winter Warriors includes:

• An exploration of the groundbreaking gear developed for, and tested by, the 10th Mountain Division, such as ski boots, goggles, and a rucksack, as well as climbing pitons, crampons, and a piton hammer
• A glimpse at what life was like as a 10th Mountain Division soldier, including an 87th Infantry Regiment Barracks sign, a ration can, a mess kit, and a mountain stove
• Intriguing photographs documenting lesser known moments at Camp Hale, such as how women served and how soldiers enjoyed their time off

Winter Warriors opened for its original run at the History Colorado Center in Denver on Veterans Day in 2023 – just a few days after Governor Jared Polis officially proclaimed November 6th as 10th Mountain Division Day in Colorado. The year before, President Joe Biden designated the area as the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, ensuring access to the mountain valley forest’s natural beauty for hiking, camping, and horseback riding, as well as reflecting on the sacrifices soldiers made.

Winter Warriors opens at Healy House on May 22, 2026 and runs through September 24, 2027. After the exhibition closes in Leadville, History Colorado is adding Winter Warriors to its portfolio of traveling exhibitions. This simple-to-install traveling exhibition display will include more than 15 panels, several artifacts, and historic video. Museums and organizations interested in bringing this incredible story to their communities may contact leah.androne@state.co.us for more information and to book a reservation. The Winter Warriors traveling exhibition will be available starting October 1, 2027.

About the Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin
Built in 1878, the Healy House looks out over historic and scenic treasures of the storied mining town of Leadville. The grounds also include a historic garden with gazebo, and the historic Dexter Cabin built in 1879. The Healy House and Dexter Cabin is a museum of History Colorado.

The museum is located at  912 Harrison Avenue, Leadville and is open during the summer on Wednesday–Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm and during the winter on Friday–Sunday from 10 am – 3 pm. Visit HealyHouseMuseum.org or call 719-486-0487 for more information.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a 146-year-old institution that offers access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites. As an agency of the State of Colorado and a nonprofit organization, History Colorado is committed to serving all Coloradans through generational work that centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

History Colorado is also home to a free public research center, people-centered preservation work done by the State Historical Fund and the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of the State Archaeologist, the State Historians Council, and many other community-driven public history projects such as the Museum of Memory. History Colorado stewards more than 15 million objects, photographs and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serves tens of thousands of learners of all ages each year. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call 303-HISTORY for more information. #HistoryColorado