By Jennifer Baldwin, Examiner.com
If you’ve walked down Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado in the past four years then you’ve walked right by the Welcome Center. A wonderful resource for tourists and locals alike. The staff at the front counter is full of helpful information, and can point you to numerous resources, including maps, brochures, dining guides and more.
Did you stop, though, to look in the back? A museum hides in the building, rarely visited by residents, and is one of Main Street’s true hidden gems.
Once known as the “Bailey Building” during renovation to make it what it is today, construction crews found an old cabin, and walls from the 19th century are now visible and part of the structure – and atmosphere – of the museum.
Providing a general overview of the town’s history, the museum is home to several wonderful collections, including the horseshoes of blacksmith William “Billy” Boyd, the books of “The Ladies of French Street” and pieces from the original railroad into Breckenridge, over Boreas Pass from Como.
The children’s loft on the second floor will keep the little ones busy while you explore dredge boat mining history, the story of the ski resort, and even read about the current-day community. The theater plays several films continuously, including personal interviews and an overview of the cemetery, Valley Brook. Don’t miss the information in the far corner showing the restoration of the Blue River!
Also inside the space is an information counter for the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance, which is staffed five days a week, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. by knowledgeable representatives in period costume.
You can access the site at 203 S Main Street. The building is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
