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Overland Trail Museum
5/20/2024
Member of the Week
The Overland Trail Museum was first opened in 1936. The original rock structure, designed to resemble a Fort, was a WPA project and displayed a small collection of pioneer artifacts, archaeological finds and head mounts of local animals. The original stone structure is now their front lobby and houses some of their oldest collections. The Overland Trail Museum is owned and operated by the City of Sterling. The museum has evolved and changed over the years and now boasts 15 buildings including a village of historic buildings, two barns, two large farm equipment sheds, a Print Shop, a caboose and depot and the High Plains Education Center. All buildings strive to offer visitors a unique experience of what life for the pioneers might have been like on the Colorado prairie and offer children many hands-on experience opportunities. New projects are always in the works at the Museum and this year (summer/fall 2024). They will be opening a Barn Quilt exhibit. Eight original wooden barn quilts are being designed, painted and installed which will help tell the story of our Colorado prairie. This exhibit is a companion exhibit for their late summer exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute, Crossroads ~ Change in Rural America. This exhibit will open in early August and will be available to see through mid-September. Events, programs and children’s experiences are being planned to accompany and celebrate the exhibit. The Overland Trail Museums largest event of the year is their July 4th Heritage Festival. This free event offers visitors live music, historic crafters, children’s games and activities, food and much, much more! Watch for details of their upcoming Heritage Festival! The Overland Trail Museum welcomes all visitors and encourages them to step into the past while enjoying the fascinating history of northeastern Colorado. They also offer children’s programs, Family Fun Saturday and their monthly History Café programs as well as special events that take place throughout the year. Family Fun Saturday occurs the first Saturday of every month and children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. The Overland Trail Museum is also a wonderful facility that can be reserved and rented for small weddings, business meetings, family reunions and private parties. The Overland Trail Museum is open (April 1-October 31) Monday through Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm and (November 1-March 31) Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. Please like them on Facebook and visit them at www.sterlingcolo.com. They also encourage you to subscribe to their outstanding monthly newsletter, The Overland Post. The Overland trail Museum is located just off of Exit 125 at the junction of Highway 6 and I-76. They are happy to help you with research and any other questions that you may have. Call them at 970-522-3895. Please join the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in congratulating Overland Trail Museum as this week’s Member of the Week and tying our Community together!
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