One of the original small rooms is devoted
to pictures and information about the town, Nathan
C. Meeker and his family. If you want to know more about anything you're
seeing, you'll most likely find someone in this room who'll be more than
happy to fill in the details.
You've only just begun your tour, though. Continue on into rooms filled
with the history of Meeker's pioneer families like the Rigby's who donated
a portable pantry which was brought to Meeker in 1900. You'll see hoosiers,
ice chests, grinders and sideboards filled with kitchen implements commonly,
and uncommonly, used by pioneer families.As you continue your wanderings,
you'll be delighted by the high chair-stroller which was built in 1867 and
came all the way from Germany.
One of the curators or volunteers can probably even be talked into pulling
down the old folding bed which was donated by a local family. There's a
Florence sewing machine "built in 1854 which was brought around the
horn by sailing ship to Portland, Oregon then to Meeker by wagon."As
you walk up into the next level, you just might start to think there's more
to this museum than you'd thought. You're right. Up here you'll see dresses,
wedding gowns, hats and jewelry, from the late 1800's through the 20's,
30's, 40's and on. If you don't find the large Victorian wreath made of
human hair, make sure and ask someone. It truly is exquisite.
There are uniforms from every branch of the service, worn by Meeker men
in wars going back to WWI.Through personal belongings you'll meet people
who've added color to the Meeker landscape. You can see Rory White's bear
hide coat. Rory was the stagecoach driver between Meeker and Rifle at the
turn of the century. Only in high summer was he seen without his bear hide
coat.
You can read articles about the "Real" facts behind the Meeker
Massacre, and on the spot coverage of the Meeker bank
robbery in 1896.Behind glass enclosures are rifles which were used in
the civil war, a Colt Frontier six shooter that was taken from the bank
robbers and even a battle axe found on the old +L ranch - the locale of
the massacre.
You won't want to miss seeing Chief Colorow's peace pipe, or the pair
of moccasins made by a Ute woman for a pioneer boy. And if you're interested
in arrowheads or rock samples and fossils from bygone days, the museum has
those too.In fact, there's probably something for everyone tucked somewhere
in this museum.
You can see the original hand printing press brought to Meeker in 1885
from Leadville by wagon to print the Meeker Herald weekly newspaper - which,
by the way, is still in circulation.If you travel back into the far room,
you'll see sleighs that come right out of picture post cards, the Concord
stage coach which was used between Rifle and Meeker (and held up by bandits
in 1887).
No matter what takes your interest as you walk through the museum, let
your imagination take hold. This is not Hollywood, but the real thing. These
pieces of furniture, these pictures, and personal treasures are truly the
pioneer west.
During the summer, the museum is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.. Winter hours are sporadic, but you'll probably find the doors
open fron 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. most weekends. There is no charge, but
donations are thankfully accepted.
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