Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites

Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites Engaging our community to interpret and foster pride in Aurora's story. An historic research library and archive is open by appointment.
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The only public museum in Aurora, Colorado, the Aurora History Museum is a community-based cultural center featuring changing history, natural history, culture, fine and decorative arts exhibits. Programs, tours, workshops, teas, lectures, and family events are offered for all ages throughout the year. The Museum features a permanent exhibit on the history of Aurora, two changing exhibit galleries, and a hands-on activity room for children. Social Media Policy: https://bit.ly/3KtUpgH

Celebrate Civic Season with the Aurora History Museum!Every summer, between Juneteenth and July 4th, communities across ...
06/16/2026

Celebrate Civic Season with the Aurora History Museum!

Every summer, between Juneteenth and July 4th, communities across the country come together for Civic Season – an annual tradition developed by museums and young people to “school up” on history and “skill up” to shape our future.

Held between our newest and oldest federal holidays, Civic Season kicks off the year ahead with events, activities and celebrations.

At the Aurora History Museum, we are hosting six special programs between June 20 and July 4 to help people connect to local history and culture. The Open Day at Centennial House and programs on July 4 are free and family friendly. Learn about all the programs and get your tickets through the link https://tinyurl.com/yr2dnpxu

[Alt text: Civic Season Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites. The Colorado Freedom Memorial with Rick Crandall. Saturday June 20, 11 a.m. Open Day at Centennial House. 1671 Galena St. Saturday, June 20, 3 to 6 p.m. Jewell Wetlands: A Local Activism Success Story. Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 p.m. Legendary Ladies Performance. Friday, June 26, 5:30 p.m. Local Cost of Freedom Gallery Talk. Friday July 4, 2 p.m. Fourth of July Spectacular, Friday July 4, 6 to 10 p.m.]

"A gay bar in Aurora?" The Disco Duck opened in 1978 and was located next to the King's Inn (now the Aurora Motel) on Co...
06/14/2026

"A gay bar in Aurora?" The Disco Duck opened in 1978 and was located next to the King's Inn (now the Aurora Motel) on Colfax Avenue. They took out ads in the local LGBTQ+ publication, Out Front, listing themselves as a gay bar (image 1). In larger publications, like the Rocky Mountain News, they listed themselves as a live music venue. The Disco Duck even hosted major acts, including Buck Owens and the Buckaroos (image 2)! Do you remember the Disco Duck?

[Image Description: Newspaper clippings with ads for the Disco Duck. You may think we're nuts! A Gay Bar In Aurora? Check us out, no hype, just the best damn light show and hottest D.J. Michael Locklear and the largest dancefloor in town. We guarantee you it is worth the drive. 11750 E Colfax Ave Aurora, Colorado. Ad for Buck Owen's performing at disco duck, published May 24, 1978 in the Rocky Mountain News]

The Legendary Ladies are coming to the Aurora History Museum! The costumed performers and researchers portray important ...
06/12/2026

The Legendary Ladies are coming to the Aurora History Museum! The costumed performers and researchers portray important women from Colorado and American history. This year, we are hosting Helen Hunt Jackson, Mary Rippon, Captain Jack, Merle Eagan Anderson and Mary Chase. Get your tickets before they sell out at https://tinyurl.com/6xe75psx

[Alt Text: Civic Season Legendary Ladies at Aurora History Museum. Friday, June 26 5:30 p.m.]

Two more days until Aurora Fest! To celebrate, the Aurora History Museum will be FREE and open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on...
06/11/2026

Two more days until Aurora Fest! To celebrate, the Aurora History Museum will be FREE and open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Enjoy two stages with more than 20 live performances, 46 merchandise vendors and 29 food trucks and stalls offering dishes and treats from around the world. The festival will also feature a special drone show.

Stop by the museum during Aurora Fest for guided tours of the “Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora's Filipino Community” exhibit, led by local Filipino community members who contributed to its creation. This exhibit is available in over 50 languages through the Bloomberg Connects app.

Aurora Fest is a free, family-friendly event and will take place from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 13, on the Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. Learn more at AuroraFest.org.

[Media description: Photos of performers and event attendees, and a graphic with the text “Aurora Fest, The World in a City.”]

It's back! Our Colfax History Hike was so popular last year that we had to bring it back.Join the Aurora History Museum ...
06/10/2026

It's back! Our Colfax History Hike was so popular last year that we had to bring it back.

Join the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites on Saturday, July 18, for a guided walking tour along one of Colorado's most famous streets. Discover how Colfax evolved from a trolley route connecting the suburb of Fletcher to downtown Denver into the vibrant corridor we know today. Along the way, we'll explore iconic motels, the Fox Theater, historic landmarks, and even talk about the art and production of neon signs.

With four experienced guides leading the tour, you'll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the history and present-day character of Colfax. The tour runs from 4-6 p.m., tickets are just $4 per person, and we'll even share some of our favorite nearby dinner spots to check out afterward.

Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your tickets in advance through the link. https://tinyurl.com/yeyr2ebm

[Image description: photos from the last Colfax History Hike. People walking by the Fox theater sign, listening to a man speak outside the Riviera Motel, and listening to a woman speak on the street]

Aurora's Historic Growth. Post 9 of 25.The establishment of the United States numbered Highway System in 1926 created U....
06/09/2026

Aurora's Historic Growth. Post 9 of 25.

The establishment of the United States numbered Highway System in 1926 created U.S. Route 40 that ran across the country between Atlantic City, N.J. and San Francisco. It crossed through the Denver metro area along Colfax Avenue. Improving road conditions and increasing interest in exploring the West led to an even higher demand for roadside accommodations.

Aurora was the first city encountered after crossing the prairie just before entering Denver and the mountains. This created a unique opportunity for local merchants who profited by meeting the needs of out-of-state tourists.

Following World War II, during the height of car culture and post-war prosperity, many new establishments were founded along the thriving Colfax Avenue. Motels, restaurants, drive-ins and entertainment venues brought big-city life to the Aurora suburb near East Colfax Avenue. In the early history of Aurora, this thoroughfare was the life-blood of the community. It was in the mid-20th century when retail and housing development pushed further south and east, away from the historical East Colfax Avenue neighborhoods and shopping districts.

Billed as the "Theater of Tomorrow" when it opened at Colfax and Elmira in 1946, the 650-seat Aurora Fox Theater included a distinctive Art Moderne entrance block, marquee and neon sign. The theater was constructed from a repurposed military Quonset hut. The Fox is still open today as the Aurora Fox Theater with live theatrical performances, and the occasional film screening!



[Image Description: Gateway to the Rockies parade, East Colfax late 1950's, north side between Dallas & Emporia. Photo 2: Fox Theater with line around the block]

6 spots still available for our teen craft camp! Join the Aurora History Museum for a week-long Old-Fashioned Crafts cam...
06/09/2026

6 spots still available for our teen craft camp!

Join the Aurora History Museum for a week-long Old-Fashioned Crafts camp for teens. We will explore spinning, embroidery, quilting, and weaving. In the past, these crafts were survival skills, but today they’re an opportunity to make art and express yourself. Supplies will be provided, and we will teach you what you need to know to complete several small crafts during the week or to continue crafting all summer! Reserve your kid's spot now https://tinyurl.com/5yrzsevr

Jul 13, 2026 - Jul 17, 2026
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ages 12-16
Cost: $105 city of Aurora residents. $131 non-residents.
Location: Aurora History Museum (15051 E Alameda Pkwy, Aurora)

[Image Description: Hand dyed multicolor wool, an old wooden tool used to spin wool into yarn with white wool on it]

Small cups, big stories. New "Collector's Corner" on display at the museum! This teacup and saucer collection was gather...
06/06/2026

Small cups, big stories. New "Collector's Corner" on display at the museum! This teacup and saucer collection was gathered across decades (from flea markets, estate sales, and even postwar Japan) by the lender's "Mom-mom." Some were chosen on weekend treasure hunts; others traveled home with family members serving overseas. The museum would like to thank Edith Rowles and Maureen Wirth for lending this collection to display.

Do you have a collection you want everyone to see? Tell us about it!

[Image description: hand painted teacups and saucers in a display case labeled Collector's Corner]

History Highlight: Early Filipinos in ColoradoIn the 1910 U.S. Census, Colorado only identified seven individuals as bei...
06/04/2026

History Highlight: Early Filipinos in Colorado

In the 1910 U.S. Census, Colorado only identified seven individuals as being Filipino; by the 1940 Census, there were more than 1,000. Some of the first Filipino Aurorans worked as laborers and farmers in Sable and Melvin with family names of Floriz, Lopez, Midia and Villaneo. The first Filipino Auroran could have been Kamuto Floriz, a dishwasher at Fitzsimons, or Jasmine Daly, the wife of Spanish American Joseph Daly, who lived at 1470 Dayton Street according to the 1920 Census. As early as 1930, local Filipino clubs formed along the Front Range.

Want to learn more? Visit our exhibit "Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora's Filipino Community," open through April 2027.

[Image Description: Rocky Mountain News article from January 26, 1930 titled Filipino Club of Denver is Formed. Mrs. Egnacia Haylord is Head of New Group. Flyer for Mosaic of Cultures exhibit. April 21 2026 to April 17 2027]

Address

15051 E. Alameda Parkway
Aurora, CO
80012

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+13037396660

Website

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