How to Visit the Black History Museum at the History Colorado Center Denver

The History Colorado Center in Denver is more than a repository of artifacts—it is a living narrative of the state’s diverse cultural heritage. Among its most impactful and historically significant exhibitions is the Black History Museum, an immersive, community-driven space dedicated to preserving and amplifying the voices, struggles, achievements, and resilience of African Americans in Colorado and beyond. While not a standalone building, this curated experience within the History Colorado Center offers one of the most authentic, educationally rich, and emotionally resonant encounters with Black history in the American West.

Visiting the Black History Museum at the History Colorado Center is not simply a tourist activity—it is an act of cultural engagement, historical accountability, and collective memory. For educators, students, families, and history enthusiasts, this exhibit provides a rare opportunity to confront overlooked narratives, celebrate underrepresented contributions, and understand how systemic forces shaped—and continue to shape—the Black experience in Colorado. This guide will walk you through every practical step to plan, experience, and reflect on your visit, ensuring you leave with more than just memories: you’ll leave with deeper understanding.

Step-by-Step Guide

Planning your visit to the Black History Museum within the History Colorado Center requires thoughtful preparation. Unlike traditional museums with separate entrances and dedicated wings, this exhibit is integrated into the larger institutional narrative. Understanding its context and location is key to a meaningful visit.

1. Confirm Exhibition Status and Hours

Before making any travel plans, verify that the Black History Museum exhibit is currently on display. Exhibits at the History Colorado Center rotate periodically to highlight new research, community partnerships, and seasonal themes. While the Black History Museum is a permanent feature, its specific installations may change. Visit the official History Colorado Center website at historycolorado.org and navigate to the “Exhibits” section. Look for titles such as “Black Lives in Colorado,” “African American Pioneers of the West,” or “Voices of the Black Community.”

Check the center’s operating hours. Typically open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours on select evenings. Closed on major holidays. Always confirm on the website, as special events or private functions may alter access.

2. Purchase Tickets in Advance

While walk-in visitors are welcome, purchasing tickets online in advance ensures entry and often provides discounts. Tickets can be bought through the History Colorado Center’s online ticketing portal. Select “General Admission,” which includes access to all permanent and rotating exhibits, including the Black History Museum.

Members of History Colorado receive free admission. If you plan to visit multiple times in a year, consider joining. Student, senior, and military discounts are available at the box office with valid ID. Children under five enter free. Group rates are available for schools, community organizations, and tour groups of 10 or more—contact the center directly through their website to arrange.

3. Plan Your Transportation

The History Colorado Center is located at 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, in the heart of downtown. It is easily accessible by multiple modes of transportation:

• Public Transit: The 16th Street Mall Shuttle (free) stops directly in front of the center. RTD light rail lines (D and H) stop at the 16th & California or 16th & Stout stations, both a five-minute walk away.
• Driving: Paid parking is available at the adjacent parking garage (1201 Broadway), as well as nearby surface lots. Street parking is limited and metered. Avoid parking on side streets during business hours due to strict enforcement.
• Biking: Bike racks are available on the plaza outside the main entrance. Denver’s extensive bike-sharing program, B-cycle, has stations nearby.

Consider using ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft for convenience, especially during evening hours or inclement weather.

4. Arrive Early and Prepare Mentally

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your desired entry time. This allows time for bag checks, restroom use, and orientation. The center’s main lobby features a digital kiosk with exhibit maps and interactive timelines—take a moment to orient yourself.

Emotionally prepare for what you will encounter. The Black History Museum does not shy away from difficult truths: slavery’s legacy in the West, segregation in Denver neighborhoods, police brutality, and economic disenfranchisement. But it also celebrates triumphs: the founding of Black churches, the rise of Black-owned businesses in Five Points, the leadership of activists like Clara Brown and Dr. Justina Ford. Approach the exhibit with openness, curiosity, and respect.

5. Navigate to the Exhibit

Once inside, follow signs for “Permanent Exhibits.” The Black History Museum is located in the “Colorado Stories” wing, specifically in the section titled “People and Places.” It is not a separate room but a curated cluster of installations woven into the broader narrative of Colorado’s social evolution.

Look for the following key installations:

• “The African American Experience in Colorado”: A timeline wall tracing Black presence from the 1850s gold rush to the present, featuring oral histories, photographs, and documents.
• “Five Points: The Harlem of the West”: An immersive recreation of a 1920s jazz club, complete with period music, artifacts from the Rossonian Hotel, and profiles of musicians like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald who performed there.
• “Women of Strength”: Portraits and stories of Black women who defied norms—teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and civil rights organizers.
• “Voices of the Future”: A digital interactive station where visitors can record their own reflections on race, identity, and history.

Take your time. There are no timers. The exhibit is designed for deep engagement, not rushed viewing. Many visitors spend 60–90 minutes here alone.

6. Engage with Interactive Elements

The exhibit is rich with multimedia. Audio stations feature interviews with descendants of early Black settlers. Touchscreens allow you to explore digitized newspaper clippings from the *Denver Star*, Colorado’s oldest African American newspaper. A replica of a 19th-century school desk invites you to read handwritten lessons from Black children in segregated schools.

Don’t overlook the “Community Wall,” where visitors can pin handwritten notes, drawings, or questions. This evolving installation reflects ongoing dialogue and is updated monthly.

7. Attend a Guided Tour or Talk

Check the daily schedule upon arrival. The History Colorado Center offers free, docent-led tours focused on the Black History Museum every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. These are led by historians, community members, or descendants of those featured in the exhibit. Their personal insights transform static displays into living stories.

Occasionally, guest speakers—authors, artists, or activists—host talks or film screenings. These are announced on the website and social media. Subscribing to their newsletter ensures you’re informed of upcoming events.

8. Explore Related Exhibits

After visiting the Black History Museum, consider exploring adjacent galleries that deepen context:

• “The Colorado Experience”: Shows how migration patterns affected all communities, including African Americans fleeing the South.
• “Mining and Labor”: Highlights Black miners and railroad workers whose labor built the state’s infrastructure.
• “Civil Rights in the West”: Details Colorado’s role in the broader movement, including the 1960s protests in Denver.

These exhibits are not isolated—they are interconnected. Understanding the economic, political, and social landscape of Colorado helps you fully grasp the significance of Black contributions and resistance.

9. Visit the Gift Shop and Library

The museum shop offers curated books, children’s books on Black pioneers, locally made art, and educational materials. Proceeds support the center’s community programs. Look for titles like Black Denver: A History by Arvarh E. Strickland and Colorado’s Black Pioneers by Lorraine A. Williams.

The History Colorado Research Center, located on the third floor, offers public access to archival materials—including census records, church ledgers, and personal letters from Black Coloradans. Appointments are recommended for research visits. Staff can assist with genealogical queries.

10. Reflect and Share

Before leaving, find a quiet corner in the center’s atrium or outdoor terrace. Journal your thoughts. What surprised you? What moved you? What questions remain?

Share your experience on social media using

BlackHistoryColorado. Tag @HistoryColorado. Your voice helps amplify the exhibit’s mission. Consider writing a review on Google or TripAdvisor to help others plan their visits.

Best Practices

Visiting a cultural heritage exhibit like the Black History Museum requires more than physical presence—it demands ethical engagement. These best practices ensure your visit is respectful, impactful, and aligned with the exhibit’s mission.

1. Approach with Humility, Not Curiosity

Do not treat the exhibit as a spectacle. The stories you encounter are not entertainment—they are lived experiences of trauma, joy, resilience, and dignity. Avoid taking selfies in front of images of lynching victims or police brutality. Respect the gravity of the material.

2. Listen More Than You Speak

If you’re part of a group, allow space for others to reflect. If you’re a non-Black visitor, recognize that your role is to learn, not to center your own perspective. Avoid phrases like “I didn’t know this existed” or “That’s so sad”—these can unintentionally minimize the lived reality of those portrayed.

3. Support the Community

Buy from Black-owned vendors in the gift shop. Donate to the History Colorado Center’s African American Heritage Fund. Volunteer with their community outreach programs. Financial and time-based support sustains the work beyond the exhibit walls.

4. Bring Children with Preparation

If bringing minors, preview content beforehand. Some materials are age-appropriate for teens but may be overwhelming for younger children. The center offers a “Family Guide” download on their website with simplified language and discussion questions. Use the exhibit as a springboard for ongoing conversations at home.

5. Avoid Cultural Appropriation

Do not dress in stereotypical “Black” attire (e.g., cornrows, dashikis) for photos unless you have a personal or cultural connection to them. This trivializes identity. Respect the authenticity of the stories presented.

6. Document Responsibly

Photography is permitted for personal use, but flash is prohibited. Do not photograph artifacts labeled “Do Not Photograph” or private family collections. If you record audio or video interviews with staff or visitors, always ask permission first.

7. Engage with the Digital Archive

After your visit, explore the center’s online collections. Thousands of digitized photographs, letters, and oral histories are available at collections.historycolorado.org. Search terms like “African American Denver,” “Five Points,” or “Clara Brown” yield rich results.

8. Extend Your Learning

Visit local Black-owned businesses in Five Points, such as the Rossonian Hotel Museum (a separate site), or the Denver Black Arts Festival. Attend a service at one of the historic Black churches like the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. These are living extensions of the exhibit’s themes.

9. Advocate for Inclusion

Use your experience to advocate for Black history in schools, workplaces, and community organizations. Write to your local school board requesting curriculum updates. Support legislation that funds ethnic studies. Your visit can become activism.

10. Return and Revisit

Exhibits evolve. New stories are added. The Black History Museum is not static. Return annually. Each visit reveals new layers. The deeper you go, the more you understand how history is not just about the past—it’s about who we are becoming.

Tools and Resources

Maximize your visit and deepen your understanding with these curated tools and resources, both digital and physical, developed by historians, educators, and community members.

1. Official Website: historycolorado.org

The primary source for exhibit hours, ticketing, event calendars, and downloadable guides. The site features a dedicated page for the Black History Museum with educator resources, video previews, and interactive timelines.

2. Colorado African American Heritage Project

A partnership between History Colorado and the University of Denver, this initiative offers free lesson plans, primary source documents, and oral history transcripts. Access at coloradoafricanamericanheritage.org.

3. Denver Public Library – Western History Collection

Home to the largest collection of African American materials in the Rocky Mountain region. Offers free access to digitized newspapers like the Denver Star and Colorado Statesman. Visit in person or explore online at denverlibrary.org/western-history.

4. “Black Denver” Podcast

A 10-episode audio series produced by History Colorado featuring interviews with descendants of pioneers, historians, and artists. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Episodes include “The Rossonian: Where Music Changed History” and “Clara Brown: From Enslavement to Entrepreneur.”

5. Mobile App: History Colorado Explorer

Download the free app for iOS and Android. It includes GPS-triggered audio guides for each exhibit, including the Black History Museum. Point your phone at a photo or artifact to hear a 60-second narration in English and Spanish.

6. Books to Read Before or After Your Visit

• Black Denver: A History by Arvarh E. Strickland
• Colorado’s Black Pioneers by Lorraine A. Williams
• Freedom’s Frontier: African Americans in the West by John W. Blassingame
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein (for national context)
• Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia by Darlene Clark Hine

7. Educational Kits for Teachers

History Colorado offers free downloadable curriculum kits aligned with Colorado state standards for grades 3–12. Each includes primary sources, discussion prompts, and project ideas. Request at education.historycolorado.org.

8. Community Organizations to Connect With

• Five Points Business Association – Hosts walking tours of historic Black Denver.
• Black American West Museum & Heritage Center – Located in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, focuses on cowboys, settlers, and pioneers.
• Denver Black Heritage Society – Organizes lectures, film nights, and genealogy workshops.

9. Virtual Tour

Can’t visit in person? Take the 360-degree virtual tour on the History Colorado Center website. Navigate through the exhibit room-by-room with clickable hotspots. Includes closed-captioned audio and alt-text descriptions for accessibility.

10. Accessibility Resources

The History Colorado Center is fully ADA-compliant. Wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators, and restrooms are available. Sign language interpreters can be arranged with 72-hour notice. Sensory-friendly visits are offered monthly—contact the center to schedule. Large-print guides and audio descriptions are available at the information desk.

Real Examples

Real stories bring the Black History Museum to life. Below are three documented examples of visitors whose experiences transformed their understanding of Colorado’s past—and their own place within it.

Example 1: A High School History Class from Pueblo

In 2022, a group of 11th-grade students from Pueblo West High School visited the exhibit as part of their U.S. History curriculum. Before arriving, they believed Black history in Colorado was minimal. After viewing the story of Clara Brown—a formerly enslaved woman who came to Colorado in 1859, raised $1,000 to free her family, and became the state’s first Black businesswoman—they were stunned.

One student, Marisol, later wrote: “I thought Black people only came to Colorado after the Civil Rights Movement. I didn’t know we were here from the beginning. Clara Brown didn’t wait for permission to build a life. She just did it.” The class created a documentary titled Clara’s Legacy, which was screened at the state capitol.

Example 2: A Grandfather Reconnecting with His Roots

James, a 72-year-old retired postal worker from Aurora, visited the exhibit with his grandson. His father had been a railroad porter in the 1940s, but family stories were sparse. In the “Labor and Industry” section, he saw a photograph of a porter wearing the same uniform his father described.

He approached a volunteer docent and shared his story. The docent, a descendant of a porter himself, pulled up a digitized roster from the Union Pacific archives and found James’s father’s name. James wept. He later donated his father’s pocket watch to the museum’s collection.

Example 3: A Teacher from Kansas City

Dr. Evelyn Carter, an African American history professor from Kansas City, visited during a professional development trip. She was researching how Western states documented Black migration. The exhibit’s use of personal letters from Black women who moved to Denver during the Great Migration provided her with primary sources she hadn’t found elsewhere.

She later published a paper titled “Silent Voices, Loud Legacies: African American Women’s Migration to Colorado, 1910–1940”, citing the History Colorado Center’s archives. She now leads annual field trips for her students to Denver.

Example 4: A First-Generation Immigrant from Nigeria

Chidi, a recent immigrant to Denver, came to the exhibit seeking connection. He had never seen Black history in the U.S. taught beyond the South. Seeing a photo of a Black family in 1920s Denver, dressed in Sunday best, holding a church hymnal, he said, “It felt like home. Not the home I left—but the home I’m building.” He now volunteers as a tour guide, sharing his perspective as an African immigrant.

Example 5: A Local Artist Inspired

After visiting, Denver-based artist Maya Rodriguez created a mural titled “Five Points Echoes,” displayed in the 16th Street Mall. It features silhouettes of jazz musicians, a schoolhouse, and Clara Brown’s hand holding a lantern. The mural includes QR codes linking to oral histories from the exhibit. It became a neighborhood landmark.

FAQs

Is there a separate entrance for the Black History Museum?

No. The Black History Museum is an integrated exhibit within the History Colorado Center. There is no separate ticket or entrance. General admission includes full access.

How long should I plan to spend at the exhibit?

Most visitors spend 60 to 90 minutes. If you engage with all interactive elements, read documents, and attend a guided tour, plan for up to two hours.

Is the exhibit suitable for children?

Yes, with parental guidance. The center provides a Family Guide with age-appropriate language. Children under 10 may benefit from a pre-visit discussion about the themes of resilience and justice.

Can I take photos inside?

Yes, for personal use. Flash photography and tripods are prohibited. Do not photograph artifacts marked “Do Not Photograph.”

Are there guided tours in Spanish?

Yes. Spanish-language guided tours are offered on the first Sunday of each month. Audio guides in Spanish are also available at the information desk.

Is the exhibit wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The entire center is ADA-compliant with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs are available upon request.

Can I bring food or drinks into the exhibit?

No. Food and drinks are not permitted in exhibit halls. There is a café on the first floor and outdoor seating areas.

What if I want to donate artifacts or documents?

Contact the History Colorado Center’s Collections Department at collections@historycolorado.org. They review all donations for historical significance and preservation capacity.

Does the museum offer school field trips?

Yes. Schools can book guided, curriculum-aligned field trips. Educators receive free admission and access to pre-visit materials. Book at least two weeks in advance.

Is the exhibit only about Denver?

No. While Denver is a focal point, the exhibit includes stories from Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and rural communities. It highlights Black presence across the entire state.

Conclusion

Visiting the Black History Museum at the History Colorado Center is not a passive experience. It is a journey into the heart of Colorado’s soul—a place where the erased are remembered, the silenced are amplified, and the forgotten are honored. This exhibit does not exist to make you comfortable. It exists to make you conscious.

As you walk through the galleries, you are not just observing history—you are standing on the shoulders of those who refused to be invisible. Clara Brown, Justina Ford, the musicians of the Rossonian, the teachers who taught in segregated classrooms, the families who built churches on nothing but faith and grit—they are not relics. They are ancestors. And their legacy lives in every word you read, every story you share, every action you take after you leave.

Plan your visit with intention. Engage with humility. Leave with responsibility. The Black History Museum is not a destination—it is a call to action. And the most powerful thing you can do after your visit is to carry its lessons forward: into your classrooms, your workplaces, your neighborhoods, and your homes.

Colorado’s history is incomplete without Black history. And your visit ensures that this truth is not only preserved—but proclaimed.