Category Archives: Museums of Western Colorado

Introducing Our New Site Logos: Unique but Unified

July 6, 2018

We are proud to introduce to our members and friends the new logo designs for Cross Orchards, Dinosaur Journey, Museum of the West, and Loyd Files Research Library. These are not replacing the current Museums of Western Colorado (MWC) logo. On the contrary, the intent is to help strengthen the image of the MWC as well as bring positive attention to each of the unique sites. The MWC museum facilities—Cross Orchards, Dinosaur Journey, Museum of … Read More

CT Scan of Fossils Sheds Light on Tooth Replacement for Plant-Eating Dinosaurs

July 2, 2018

New fossils excavated by the Museums of Western Colorado from the Mygatt-Moore Quarry in Rabbit Valley reveal how different species of gigantic plant-eating dinosaurs were able to coexist in the same ecosystem with limited vegetation. In a newly published research article titled “Evidence for niche partitioning among ground-height browsing sauropods from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America,” Museums of Western Colorado Curator of Paleontology, Dr. Julia McHugh, shows that this type of resource … Read More

Kids Take Over at the Museum

July 2, 2018

Summer Camp! Two words that bring back memories for many of us. This summer, the Museums of Western Colorado teamed up with a number of great organizations to bring summer camp to some special kids from around the Valley. As the final part of the BLM grant that brought you our amazing new websites (http://westerncoheritagejr.org/ and http://www.westerncoloradoheritage.org/), we hosted free Explore-It Summer Camps for Riverside Educational Center, Girl Scouts, and Mesa County Partners. With the … Read More

Hidden Photographic Treasures From Our Past: Historic Photo Contest – Reminder

June 30, 2018

The Museum of the West and the Loyd Files Research Library are reminding the community to share your best local photographs from the past for our historic photo contest, through August 3. Participants’ photos will be used as part of an exhibit at the Museum of the West between October – December, and winners will be chosen in August with first, second, and third place prizes being awarded. “We are encouraging community members to take … Read More

Downtown Grand Junction Historic Plaques Project

June 25, 2018

Museums of Western Colorado’s Curator of History David Bailey completed researching, writing text, and finding historic photographs for thirty-three historic buildings designated by the Grand Junction Historic Preservation Board. Bailey was assisted by the Loyd Files Research Library’s Curator of Collections and Archives, Erin Schmitz, and library volunteers Marie Tipping and Garry Brewer. Local Historian Priscilla Mangnall also assisted with building research and historic photographs. Mike Kelly of Your Sign Company created the plaque mockups … Read More

The Challenge of Maintaining National Museum Accreditation

June 21, 2018

The Museums of Western Colorado (MWC) offers a full and comprehensive range of educational and interactive exhibits focusing on a variety of topics. With a paleontology museum, a regional history museum, and a working historic agricultural and transportation museum, the three sites offer something for everyone. With this responsibility, however, comes the challenge of maintaining each facility to a high standard of quality. The history of the Museum (Dinosaur Journey, Museum of the West, and … Read More

MWC participates in Blue Star Museums Program

June 1, 2018

The Museums of Western Colorado is pleased to announce their participation in Blue Star Museums program. This collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America offers free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families, the National Guard and Reserve from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day 2018. This opportunity is available at all Museums of Western Colorado facilities including Museum … Read More

Hidden Photographic Treasures From our Past: Museum to Host Historic Photo Contest

April 27, 2018

To coincide with National Historic Preservation Month, the Museum of the West and the Loyd Files Research Library are asking the community to dust off your scrapbooks and show us your best local photographs from the past for our historic photo contest, May 4 through August 3. Participants’ photos will be used as part of an exhibit at the Museum of the West between October – December, and winners will be chosen in August with … Read More

Cross Orchards Summer Concert Series

April 24, 2018

After much anticipation, the Museums of Western Colorado and Home Loan would like to announce the upcoming Cross Orchards Summer Concert Series. The concert venue, the historic barn at Cross Orchards Historic Site, will feature a wide variety of performers and provide the perfect ambience for a midsummer night’s concert. Doors will open at 6:00 pm and performances will begin at 7:00 pm. Performances will include the following:     June 14 Thomasina Russell  has … Read More

Dinosaur Day at Dinosaur Journey

April 22, 2018

June 9 • 9 am-4 pm Are you ready for some Prehistoric Fun? Dinosaur Day is back at Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, presented by Alpine Bank. Come out to Dinosaur Journey for all things dinosaur! We’ll have fun, kid-friendly educational activities, face painting, bump & jumps, and more. We are excited to welcome back so many of our wonderful community partners and we also want to announce some new partners that will be at Dinosaur … Read More