An infusion of grant money brings the dream of the new Montezuma Heritage Museum in downtown Cortez closer to reality, but more fundraising is needed, officials say.
This month, the museum remodel project was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. The boost gets the fundraising campaign closer to its $275,000 goal, but remains $50,000 shy, said Ann Brown, chair of the Montezuma County Historical Society.
“It is so wonderful to see so much generous support from the local community and state,” she said. “It makes my heart swell with pride, and we are so thankful. The last $50,000 is always the hardest part, but we will keep pulling.”
The money will be used to finish remodeling the new 4,800 square foot museum site on Chestnut Street. A long-term lease for the museum in the former social services building was donated by the Montezuma County commissioners.
Dozens of volunteers have been laboring to tear down walls and ceilings at the site for months, Brown said, putting in more than 500 hours.
Of the money raised, $200,000 will go toward final restoration by a contractor, with the remaining going toward museum development, including for the hiring of a professional museum designer for displays and other opening costs.
“We’re continuing our efforts to fund raise so we can achieve a professional design and install exhibits,” said Barbara Stagg, historical society board member and volunteer. “The funding will also be used for a history mural on the side of the building, and production of an orientation film to be shown daily when the museum opens.”
Construction includes new flooring, counters, electrical work, plumbing, a bathroom renovation, store, outdoor patio, and new building facade.
Construction is expected to begin in January, and be completed sometime in summer 2020. It will open soon after.
The museum space with rotating exhibits will take up 1,000 square feet, Brown said. In addition there will be a store with local books and art, a genealogy library, curation room and research area. Genealogy archives are being donated by the local Daughters of the Revolution group.
“Save our history. Tell our stories” is the museum motto.
It will tell the story of Montezuma County, including the history of the Native Americans, Hispanic, and pioneer cultures. Aspects include archeology, Western heritage, explorers, irrigation and agriculture, the railroad, industry, the environment, mining and logging, the Dolores Project, recreation, plus more.
“There will not be enough room to display all we have, so new exhibits will be rotated in,” Brown said.
The Montezuma County Historical Society has been working for years to bring back a museum to Cortez, which has not had one since the 1950s. The society has an impressive collection of stored artifacts, but the small nonprofit has lacked funding for a museum location.
“We feel optimistic, it has been a long row to hoe,” Brown said. “It’s a big project, a community project. The museum will bring an economic impact for Cortez. One of the first questions at the visitor center and chambers is ‘where’s the museum?’”
More than 200 Montezuma County and area residents have donated toward the project, along with two dozen county businesses. Other grant awards and contributions came from Gates Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, USDA Rural Development, Brilliantine Family Fund, Onward! A Legacy Foundation, Montezuma County, City of Cortez, Walmart Foundation, and Empire Electric Fund.
Project organizers are seeking historic photos to scan for the museum collection. The photos will be immediately returned to the owner after the free scanning.
Images that help show life in Montezuma County and area from the 1800s to 1950s are needed. Of special interest are images relating to farming, ranching, mining, logging, homesteading, business and family, social life, education, recreation, historic buildings, and more.
Once the photo is scanned, it is returned to the owner, and they can receive a free scan of the photo via email.
Photo scanning schedule:
3-6 p.m. Oct. 24, Cortez Library; noon-4 p.m. Oct. 26, Cortez Library; 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Mancos Library; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 8, Dolores Public Library.
To donate to the museum project or volunteer contact Barbara Stagg at 970-570-7333, bjstagg7@gmail.com, or Ann Brown at (970) 565-2747, awbrown288@gmail.com.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com