Frisco Historic Park and Museum Announces a Full Schedule of Summer Historic Programs and Events

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum is planning a full schedule of summer events, including the return of the popular lunchtime lecture series, historic walking tours and hikes, and a Frisco History Day in July to honor the 40^th anniversary of the Frisco Historic Park & Museum.

“This year, we want to celebrate the hard work of all the volunteers and staff from the last forty years who created the Museum you experience today. So, as we open a new exhibit and publish a new book, we are also bringing back fan favorites like Bill Fountain and Tom ‘Dr. Colorado’ Noel to our summer lecture series,” stated Museum Manager Rose Gorrell.

The Mines of Mount Royal Bike Tours

This beginner-friendly historic bike ride goes around Mount Royal and through the Tenmile Canyon, exploring the mines that once operated here. Museum staff will present content centered on Frisco’s mining history, the natural environment, and the railroads of the area. The route is just over 5 miles round-trip on paved roads and recreation paths with plenty of water breaks and scenic views, making it a fun morning for the whole family.

This guided bike tour will begin and end at the Schoolhouse Museum. This tour is limited to 10 people and advance registration and payment are required. This tour is BYOB – bring your own bike. Helmets are required. The Town of Frisco does not rent bikes, instead participants can rent bikes from Rebel Sports, Pioneer Sports, Podium Sports, and Christy Sports.

When: Thursdays on June 15, June 29, July 20, August 03, and August 24, 2023 at 9:00 am

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13 and up) – $20
Children (Ages 4-12) – $5
Children under four are free
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

Historic Town Walking Tours

Museum staff will share their favorite stories from Frisco’s 140+ year history as they guide visitors and locals alike along Historic Main Street. This hour-long tour begins at the Schoolhouse Museum, winds through Main Street, and ends at the historic Lund House at the Frisco Bay Marina. This tour is limited to 15 people and advanced registration is required.

When: Saturdays and Sundays starting June 17 through the end of August at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13 and up) $10
Children (Ages 4-12) $5
Children under four are free

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

If you have a larger party, or if you would prefer to book a private tour, please call 970-668-3428 or email Museum@townoffrisco.com.

Masontown Historic Hiking Tours

Museum staff will lead a hike up Mount Royal to the old Masontown mining site and will share Frisco’s mining history, information on the natural environment and the story of Masontown. The route is just over 2.5 miles round-trip with plenty of water breaks and scenic views, making it a fun morning for the whole family.

When: Thursdays on June 22, July 13, July 27, and August 17, 2023 at 9:00 am

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13 and up) $20
Children (Ages 4-12) $5
Children under four are free
There is a $5 cancellation fee for adult tickets

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

Trails to History Hiking Tour

Explore the Peninsula Recreation Area (PRA) as museum staff share Frisco’s history, while soaking in the outdoors. This new offering focuses on the history of the Ute People- Colorado’s longest inhabitants, native plants, and animals, plus the more recent history of the PRA which includes stories about the unique trail names. This tour is a cross between a traditional walking tour and a more adventurous hike. You can expect multiple water breaks and plenty of picturesque Rocky Mountain views on this hour-long hike.

When: Fridays on June 23, July 07, July 21, August 04, and August 18, 2023 at 10:00 am

Cost: Free but you must register in advance, as the tour is limited to 10 people.

This free tour may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

“Thank You for Voting” Exhibit Launch Party

Join museum staff as they launch this new exhibit, which has been in the works for two years as staff dug into the archives and collections to pull out the stories in this exhibit. “Thank You for Voting: Women Seize Frisco’s Government” examines the 1916 town election, which resulted in Frisco’s first female mayor and six women on the board of trustees. The previous town government officials had abandoned their positions, failing to meet for several years. These seven women organized an election, were voted into office, and rebuilt Frisco’s government. The exhibit will examine the build-up to 1916, the results of their terms in political office, and the lived experiences of these remarkable women.

There with be a short talk about the exhibit by Museum Manager, Rose Gorrell, followed by a reception in the Historic Park Gazebo with live music from Mud Season, food from Chimayo, and handcrafted mocktails from local business, Unintoxicated Nightlife, in honor of the 1916 Colorado Prohibition.

When: Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Cost: Free- no registration required

Frisco History Day

This year Frisco History Day celebrates the 40^th anniversary of the Frisco Historic Park & Museum. Learn about Frisco’s past, present, and future with a full day of historic family activities. Enjoy burro rides sponsored by Credit Union of the Rockies, face painting, an old-time photo booth, gold panning, an arts and craft tent with Sunny Side Up Studio, flower crowns from Lady Sunshine, touchable artifacts, live music and more.

When: Saturday, July 8, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

9:00 am: Free Yoga in the Park with Thrive Yoga
10:00 am: Altitude Performing Arts Dance Showcase
10:45 am: Creative Movement Class
11:45 am: Summit County Library Cowboy Poetry
12:30 pm: Free Line Dancing Class with Summit Country
4:30 pm: Shaky Hand String Band

Cost: Free- no registration required

Frisco as I Remember Project

In honor of the Museum’s 40th Anniversary, the 2023 Frisco as I Remember project focuses on expanding the Museum’s historical record through community-focused events, including a letter-writing campaign. Any and all stories and memories from residents and visitors are welcome. You can complete the online form or stop by the Museum for a paper form.

Join Museum staff members at the Historic Park Gazebo to share stories of Frisco from the 1970s and beyond! Help us identify people, places, and things from the Museum collection while sharing your own memories and stories.

When: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm

Cost: Free- no registration required

2023 Frisco Historic Park & Museum Free Summer Lecture Series Sponsored by Charles Schwab

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum Free Summer Lecture Series will take place on Wednesdays, June 14 – August 30, 2023 at 12:00pm at various locations in Frisco. Learn about the rich history of Frisco and surrounding areas in Colorado with a Q&A after each lecture. Lectures are free to attend and will present topics like Colorado’s beer and liquor history, America’s first cowboy, the natural environment, Native American music and history, as they relate to Frisco and the surrounding area. Doors open at 11:45 am, seating is limited, and attendees are asked to leave pets and any food at home. The Free Summer Lecture Series is sponsored by Charles Schwab.

Schedule:

Wednesday, June 14, 2023: 12:00 pm

The Chicano Movement & Art Presented by Ricardo LaFore

Location: Historic Park Log Cabin

Ricardo Lafore, a member of the Chicano Movement Advisory Committee for History Colorado and 2003 Caesar Chavez Leadership Award recipient will discuss the Chicano art and how it was influenced by the Chicano Civil Rights Movement, El Movimiento, which began in the 1960s and peaked in 1980. Join us for the kick-off to our summer series with Ricardo LaFore as he discusses the importance of Chicano art and literature to the Chicano community and its struggles.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023: 12:00 pm

Jewish Pioneers of Leadville Presented by William Korn

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

William Korn from the Temple Israel Museum will discuss the many early Jewish immigrants who traveled west to escape oppression, improve social and economic status, find adventure, and make a new life for themselves. This lecture will shed light on the importance of the Jewish community in Leadville during the pioneer boom days and the town’s subsequent decline.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023: 12:00 pm

Dinosaurs in Colorado Presented by Kermit Shields

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

For centuries, Indigenous peoples lived and traveled across the land now known as Colorado’s Front Range, including the long hogback ridge extending between the Rocky Mountains foothills and the Great Plains grasslands. Join Kermit Shields from Dinosaur Ridge to learn more about Colorado dinosaurs and the fossils left behind.

Wednesday, July 05, 2023: 12:00 pm

El Vaquero- America’s First Cowboy Presented by Angel Vigil

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Join Angel Vigil for a dynamic show as he presents the origins and development of cowboy culture in the American West. The show includes the stories of the working Vaquero and demonstrations of bullwhip cracking and rope tricks. A special feature of the show is Angel’s historically accurate costume, representing the Spanish Colonial Vaquero of the 1700s.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023: 12:00 pm

Colorado Liquid History Presented by Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

Come learn about the Liquid History of Colorado with Tom Noel, aka “Dr. Colorado” himself! This lecture will be a light-hearted look at the history of beer, breweries, and saloons and how they impacted the local communities. Dr. Colorado is a professor emeritus of history at CU-Denver and the 2020 Colorado State Historian.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023: 12:00 pm

Burro Pack Racing Presented by Brad and Amber Wann

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Pack Burro Racing is the only sport native to Colorado. Participants will learn about the history of one of the highest altitude races in the world, as well as the stories of racing legends. Attendees are invited to discover why people are drawn to this crazy sport and meet a burro!

Wednesday, July 26, 2023: 12:00 pm

Chasing the Bad Guys, Bill Fountain

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

Bill Fountain, local historian shares how town marshals in Breckenridge, Colorado, were tasked with enforcing the law in a growing mining town from 1881 to 1923. This was no small feat as the gold strikes brought more and more people to the area.

Wednesday, August 02, 2023: 12:00 pm

Droughts, Doubts, Respect and Rejoicing: A History of Colorado Water Part II Presented by Matthew Makley

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

The Colorado River supports over 40 million people, but now the reservoirs are lower than when they were created. This lecture will touch on themes from last summer’s lecture on the long human relationship with the river and water in the region, before diving into the twenty-first century to examine the current state of the Colorado River.

Wednesday, August 09, 2023: 12:00 pm

Seasons of the Nuche, Tales of the Ute People Presented by Nina Gabianelli and Skyler Lomahaftewa

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Storytelling has been used in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, and cultural preservation. Nina Gabianelli from the Aspen Historical Society and Skyler Lomahaftewa of the Northern Ute Tribe will present both the history of the native people and the modern-day Ute experience.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023: 12:00 pm

Reintroduction of Animals in Colorado Presented by Marissa Herzog and Alex Strasser

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Join Marissa Herzog from the Dillon Ranger District- US Forest Service and Alex Strasser, District Wildlife Manager of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as they discuss wildlife introduction for two non-native species – the mountain goat and the moose. They will talk about the history of reintroduction and its economic and environmental effects on the Colorado landscape.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023: 12:00 pm

William Grandstaff: Colorado Miner and Black Frontiersman Presented by Mary Langworth

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

William Grandstaff defied expectations and stereotypes of what a frontiersman looked like, as he worked as a cowboy, miner, and saloon owner in the late 1800s. Join Mary Langworthy, Public Programs Manager of the Moab Museum, to explore the pathways of Grandstaff’s life in Moab, Utah, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023: 12:00 pm

Creation of the Frisco Historic Park & Museum Presented by Rose Gorrell

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

In honor of the Museum’s 40th anniversary, Rose Gorrell will share the origin story of the Historic Park and the women who formed the first Frisco Historical Committee. This lecture is part of the Frisco as I Remember Project dedicated to recording Frisco’s history from 1940 to the present. Join us for more storytelling and sharing over coffee and cookies after the talk.

Frisco Historic Park and Museum Information

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum provides the opportunity to travel back in time to experience history in an up-close and personal way right on Frisco’s Main Street. The Museum’s collection of original historic buildings, including the Schoolhouse Museum, contains artifacts, exhibits, and photographs that tell the lively stories of Frisco’s past and reflect the Summit County philosophy of embracing history while also connecting it to our lives today. The Historic Park is open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesday – Sunday and is closed on Mondays. More information regarding the Museum may be found at FriscoHistoricPark.com.