Colorado Gives Day, December 4

November 8, 2018

Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. Narrowing that focus locally, the Museums of Western Colorado has partnered with Grand Valley Gives, a collaboration of non–profit organizations in Mesa County, that participate in Colorado Gives Day. In 2017, the Museum partnered with Grand Valley Gives for the first time and raised $40,054. At a time when many individuals are looking for worthwhile causes to … Read More

Planned Giving

November 1, 2018

Leaving a Legacy to MWC The Museums of Western Colorado offers the experience of discovery to all ages, from children just beginning to engage in history to senior volunteers continuing a lifelong passion for knowledge. The Museums of Western Colorado (MWC) has a proud responsibility of facilitating three distinctively different museum sites, each holding treasures of our past. The Museum of the West houses relics of our Western Slope heritage, Dinosaur Journey holds priceless fossils of … Read More

Western Writers of America

November 1, 2018

Curator of History David Bailey has been inducted into the Western Writers of America. Bailey was accepted as an active member because of his extensive collection of published material and work on the American West. Distinguished members include Rudolfo Anaya, Edward Abbey, Clint Eastwood, and historian Robert Utley. The group was founded in 1953 to promote writing about the American West and to bestow Spur Awards for distinguished writing in the Western field. The founders … Read More

Research Library and Archives News

October 25, 2018

The Loyd Files Research Library was recently gifted a family memoir and photobook from the family of John and Irena Moore. John and Irena Moore settled in Grand Junction in 1889. John quickly became a prominent member of the Grand Junction community and soon became the manager of the Grand Junction Fruit Grower’s Association. In 1907, John and Irena bought a ranch in Bridgeport which originally grew apples, but soon switched to peaches. John became … Read More

Old Fossil Golf Tournament Update

October 15, 2018

On September 21, the Museums of Western Colorado and Family Health West hosted the Old Fossil Golf Tournament in collaboration with the Fruita Fall Festival. The tournament took place at Adobe Creek National Golf Course in Fruita. The weather was breezy and cool in the morning, but warmed up to be a fabulous day of golf for our participants. Many thanks to our title sponsors, Mountain West Insurance and Financial Services and Grand Junction Subaru. … Read More

New Education and Volunteer Coordinator

September 4, 2018

The Museums of Western Colorado (MWC) is proud to introduce our new Education and Volunteer Coordinator—Stephanie Lukowski It was a difficult choice with several very qualified candidates. We even had applications coming from as far away as Argentina and Cyprus. Stephanie rose to the top and her skills and experience as an educator will be a very valuable asset for our museum. Stephanie is a paleontologist and museum educator who comes to us from the … Read More

Calling all Authors and Book Aficionados!

August 29, 2018

Museum of the West’s Annual Authors’ Party November 10 • 10 am-2 pm The Museum of the West, a division of the Museums of Western Colorado, is hosting our annual Authors’ Party and book signing event, featuring the best of regional authors, on Saturday, November 10, 2018, from 10 am to 2 pm, in the Museum of the West lobby. We are looking for regional authors with recently published books to come to our event. … Read More

Gift Shop News – Fall 2018

August 20, 2018

Artist Rick Adleman grew up reading all about dinosaurs. In his youth, he became hooked when, in the 4th grade, Vivian Jones spoke to his class about the discovery of “Dry Mesa Quarry,” and he has been passionate about dinosaurs ever since. While attending Colorado Mesa University in the 1980s, Rick pursued his passion and became involved with Dinosaur Valley on Main Street. Under the mentorship of then Executive Director Mike Perry and paleontologist Harley Armstrong, Rick worked in the lab … Read More

Museum Day 2018

August 15, 2018

For the second year, we are excited to be part of Smithsonian magazine’s annual program, Museum Day! Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. The Museum Day ticket provides free admission for two people on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Get your two free tickets for Dinosaur Journey and Museum of the … Read More

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