Greeley History Museum

Exhibitions

Utopia: Adaptation on the Plains

Located in the museum’s main gallery, this exhibit highlights various areas of visual and audio interest. Visitors can learn about the formation of the Union Colony and see images and artifacts from Weld County’s earliest settlers. Learn the history of some of Northern Colorado’s most famous residents like “Rattlesnake” Kate Slaughterback, and see her original rattlesnake skin dress, Nathan Cook Meeker, Greeley’s founder who died in the Meeker Massacre, and more. Youngsters can enjoy imaginative play in our kid-friendly section of the gallery.

The Dakan Perspective: Over a Century of Father & Son Photography

Located in the museum’s west gallery, visitors can explore over 100 years of photographic history of Northern Colorado through the work of father and son photographers Lew and Denny Dakan. From 1917 to 2017, their photos capture both nature and cities as they grew side by side. Over 75 photographs will be on display in the exhibit, but the museum houses over 1500 Lew Dakan photographs in its collections. You can view them at the Hazel E. Johnson Research Center on the lower level of the museum. Photography is not permitted in this special exhibition. Exhibit open March 15, 2019 through January 5, 2020.

Reclaiming Our Heritage

Located in the museum’s mezzanine, “Reclaiming Our Heritage” explores the ways cultural groups lose their heritage and the steps they take to reclaim it. What does it mean to hold on to your own cultural heritage? If you lose your heritage, how do you find it again? Based on a grant project completed by the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado and the University of Northern Colorado, the exhibit features stories from Native American, Karenni, and African American communities in the United States and Denotified Tribes and Adavasi groups in India. Exhibit open July 19 through September 22, 2019.

Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts

Located in the museum’s east gallery, this exhibit tells the stories of artifacts that are not always pleasant or happy. In fact, some artifacts are just downright gross or uncomfortable and are rarely displayed because of that reason. All together in one place, these artifacts make an intriguing statement about our history and what museums collect. “Unmentionable: The Indiscreet Stories of Artifacts” is modeled on the exhibition from the Hayward Area Historical Society in Hayward, CA and facilitated by Exhibit Envoy. Exhibit open August 24, 2019 through June 14, 2020.

Reporting from Greeley

The building that houses the Greeley History Museum was originally built in 1929 for the Greeley Tribune and the lower level exhibit is dedicated to the history of printing. It includes historic photos, stereotype mats, and turn-of-the-century printing equipment including an 1899 Chandler and Price treadle press.

Curator’s Corner

Curator’s Corner, located in the Greeley History Museum’s lower level, allows the public an opportunity to see items on display from the museum’s collection. The exhibit changes quarterly so it’s worth visiting the museum regularly to see the new material on display!

Policies

• Food and beverages are not allowed in the galleries.
• No backpacks allowed in the galleries.
• Photography: Non-flash photography welcome except in special exhibitions. No tripods or selfie sticks allowed. Commercial photography allowed with prior permission from Museum Manager.
• City ordinance does not permit smoking, including electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices, in the museum or within 25 feet of any of the building entrances.
• No pets allowed. Service animals are welcome.
• Please silence electronic devices while in the museum.