Trinidad History Museum

The Trinidad History Museum  occupies an entire city block and is composed of four buildings, including three historic buildings constructed in the late 19th century: the Bloom Mansion, the Baca House and the Barglow Building. 

By the 1950s, the Baca House in downtown Trinidad was long uninhabited and dilapidated. Fearing that the house may soon be demolished, local citizen Arthur Roy Mitchell successfully convinced Trinidad landowners to purchase the property and turn it over to the city for preservation. The city agreed to this proposal on the condition that Mitchell oversee restoration of the building, establish it as a museum, and become its first curator. Mitchell took on the challenge, and with the help of donations from the community—both monetary and in memorabilia and artifacts—the Trinidad Pioneer Museum opened its doors the very next year, in 1955.

In 1961, the Colorado Historical Society (now History Colorado) acquired the property and took over museum operations. Mitchell remained as its director, and the Pioneer Museum was repurposed into the Santa Fe Trail Museum. Later, it became simply the Trinidad History Museum. 

Over the years, additional adjacent historic buildings were acquired and added to the museum complex, including the Barglow Building (constructed 1906) and the opulent Bloom Mansion (constructed 1882). Today the museum includes all three structures as well as the large heritage gardens surrounding the properties. Inside are several exhibits on Southern Colorado and local history, opulent spaces available for rental, and a gift shop which features a wide selection of informative and educational books and gift items made locally in Colorado.

Accessibility at Trinidad History Museum

At Trinidad History Museum, we want all of our visitors to feel welcome. Here’s how we try to be accessible for everyone.

If you have additional questions you can email us or call (719) 846-7217.

Mobility & Entering the Museum

Trinidad History Museum includes four buildings with varying accessibility. The Santa Fe Trail Museum building and the Barglow Building are both fully wheelchair accessible. However, the Baca House and the Bloom Mansion have narrow doorways and both have ledges or steps that would require assistance. Additionally, there is no wheelchair access to the upper floors of either the Baca House or the Bloom Mansion.

Guests should be aware that Trinidad History Museum is located on a hill and the paths around the grounds and in the garden are mostly brick, so there may be spots that are difficult to navigate.
 

Accessible Restrooms

There is a wheelchair accessible bathroom on site.
 

 

Education

Learn more about our History Take-Out and reserve a lesson →

Learn more about History Colorado's online exhibits →

The Trinidad History Museum is taking reservations for in-person field trips in Spring 2021. Learn more →