Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is a living history museum (sometimes called an open-air museum) and farm located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. Restored buildings and period-appropriate attired museum guides depict life in the Pikes Peak region in four time periods[2] and in four different households: American Indian life in 1775; an 1860s cabin (Galloway Homestead); an 1880s farm (Chambers Home and Ranch); and a 1907 Edwardian Country Estate. Each residence (teepee, log cabin, farm house, mansion) reflects the construction and contents of homes of those periods. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1][3]

Chambers Ranch
Location3105 Gateway Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38°52′38.61″N 104°52′17.08″W
Area226 acres (91 ha)
Built1875
ArchitectRobert Chambers, Thomas MacLaren
Architectural styleMission/Spanish Revival, Other, Western Stick
Websitehttp://rockledgeranch.com
NRHP reference No.79000599[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 29, 1979

Museum

Museum guides, each wearing clothing specific to the time period and type of residence, explain and demonstrate activities of daily life of those who lived in the region. Visitors see and participate to learn how people from different time periods lived during the eras: clothing, meal prep and cooking, cleaning, laundry, mowing, games and entertainment, and how they made their living.[4]

There is a working 19th Century blacksmith shop, barn, horses, and chickens. Sheep and a cow graze around the farm. At one time, peacocks were resident. The historical interpreters demonstrate daily living skills, and encourage visitors to participate. The museum hosts over 100,000 people on an annual basis.[5]

Because of the City of Colorado Spring's economic difficulties in 2009, its funding and continued existence was threatened [6] however an aggressive fundraising campaign has generated huge public support as well as additional opportunities to experience this setting due to themed special events such as Fiddles, Vittles, and Vino and a Shakespeare festival.[7]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Official website
  3. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site from Frommer's
  4. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
  5. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
  6. LETTERS: Wednesday from The Gazette
  7. Rock Ledge Ranch 2010 Calendar of Events from its official website
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