El Pueblo History Museum
El Pueblo History Museum is currently open with limited capacity of no more than two households in the museum at the same time. Find more information on our Safe and Welcome page.
As we navigate this unusual holiday season, we’re here to help you shop safely for your nearest and dearest. You can shop History Colorado’s collection on Etsy, and our gift shop is planning to remain open with capacity limits and other precautions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
El Pueblo History Museum showcases the region’s many cultural and ethnic groups through innovative exhibits including the Borderlands of Southern Colorado and the award-winning Children of Ludlow. The property includes a re-created 1840s adobe trading post and plaza, and the archaeological excavation site of the original 1842 El Pueblo trading post.
Available now - See an online view of the Children of Ludlow Exhibit
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Upcoming Events
Hours
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm
Contact: 719-583-0453
Parking: Free
Adult: $5
Senior (65+): $4
Student (7-17, w/ID): $4
Youth (7-17): $4
Child (6 & Under): Free
Active Duty Military & Veterans: $4
Members: Free
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“Great place, always something innovative and new to discover. El Pueblo History Museum brings history alive in fresh hands-on ways. The staff is always ready to answer any questions you may have.” - reviewer on Google
On View and Things To Do
Exhibits
Programs and Events
Hours
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm
Contact: 719-583-0453
Parking: Free
Adult: $5
Senior (65+): $4
Student (7-17, w/ID): $4
Youth (7-17): $4
Child (6 & Under): Free
Active Duty Military & Veterans: $4
Members: Free
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SoundCloud!
“Great place, always something innovative and new to discover. El Pueblo History Museum brings history alive in fresh hands-on ways. The staff is always ready to answer any questions you may have.” - reviewer on Google
Location
El Pueblo Trading Post was the first permanent settlement in what is now Pueblo. It was constructed in 1842 along the banks of the Arkansas River to facilitate fur trade along the Santa Fe Trail, but was then only a decade later after conflict between local Native Americans and fur traders led to the Christmas Tragedy of 1854. Decades later the settlement of Pueblo grew up around the abandoned ruins of the trading post, until it was demolished and its location was lost beneath the rapidly-growing city.
El Pueblo History Museum has been in operation since 1959, and currently occupies the site of the historic trading post in downtown Pueblo. The site was rediscovered in 1989, by a class led by anthropology professor William G. Buckles of the University of Southern Colorado (now CSU-Pueblo). Following this discovery, the city and the Colorado Historical Society worked together to relocate the museum to the site. The current museum complex was completed in 2003, and includes the main building containing three exhibits and multiple event rental spaces, a reconstruction of the El Pueblo trading post showcasing life during the mid-19th century, and the Warren G. Buckles Archaeology Pavilion where the excavation site remains open to this day.
Visitors can see all of this, as well as purchase regional foods and crafts, books on Pueblo, Colorado, and western history, and Colorado souvenirs in the Colorado Proud museum store.
