This weekend, (Saturday, February 18th), celebrate Black History Month and experience African American connections and stories at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.
Why celebrate Black History Month at a railroad museum? There’s a lot of local African American history tied to the railroad. Following the Civil War, the “Great Migration” brought thousands of African Americans north and west pursuing dreams of opportunity and greater freedom. At the same time, the rise of railroad tourism provided opportunities for African Americans as many served as porters on cars made by the Pullman Palace Car Company. In Denver, these rail employees and their families established the community of Five Points.
At the celebration, your family can ride the rails in vintage passenger coaches with red velvet seats and brass chandeliers. These coaches will be pulled by an 1880’s steam locomotive!
After a ride on the rails, your family will have the opportunity to explore a collection of historic railroad pieces from trains that ran through Colorado, view a special exhibit of photographs that capture Colorado’s black community from the early 1900’s and listen to re-enactors as they bring the past alive with stories of life working and traveling on the Colorado railroads.
Your family will also be able to enjoy traditional ‘soul food’ catered by Cora Fayes, a celebrated Five Points caterer while enjoying the sounds of African American classical, jazz and blues musicians like William Grant Still, Sidney Bechet, Ma Rainey, and Jelly Roll Morton, who once performed in Five Points neighborhood venues.
As a special event at the Colorado Railroad Museum, special event fare will apply:
- Free Admission for Members
- Children (Under 2) Free
- Children (2 – 16) $5.00
- Adults $15.00
- Family (Two adults and children under 16): $30.00
- Seniors (Over 60) $10.00
The museum will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm and is located just 12 miles west of downtown Denver off of I-70 (exit 265 westbound or exit 266 eastbound). The address is 17155 W. 44yh Avenue in Golden.
For more information, call 303-279-4591 or 800-365-6263
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