Thousands of artifacts in nine buildings, including an 1887 Victorian House, 1920s caboose
The Adams County Historical Society was organized in 1972 and received its 501(C)3 classification in 1974. ACHS members held all types of fundraisers, continued to meet regularly and started to collect items and store them in their basements, farm sheds, garages, and attics. Members stored the more fragile items like old books and clothing in the vault at Brighton City Hall. The first major projec
t for the fledgling organization was purchasing the 1886 First Presbyterian Church in Brighton. ACHS paid for the purchase through fundraising and a grant from the State of Colorado Centennial Commission. By agreement with the Commission, ACHS, and City of Brighton, the historic church was deeded to the city. ACHS began using the church for some of its functions and to store some of its exhibit pieces. When the Adams County Board of Commissioners began planning to build a new golf course and clubhouse, ACHS approached them about taking over the old clubhouse on Riverdale Road. ACHS and the commissioners hashed out a lease agreement, and the Adams County Museum opened in 1987. Over the years, the museum grew beyond a single building into the complex it is today – housing the Museum Office, Cultural Center, a replica one-room schoolhouse, a replica 1930sConoco Station, a working Blacksmith Shop, a firehouse, a restored 1887 two-story Victorian House, a 1920 railroad caboose and the 120-foot by 60-foot Hoffman Hall, which is full of several exhibits, including an actual jail cell from the old Adams County Jail, a printing press, Western gear and tack (including a saddle used by a Pony Express rider), vintage housewares, antique tools and medical equipment and a military section that holds uniforms, flags, radios and swords. Other notable exhibits at the museum include Earth Sciences, Native Americans and geology sections that are highlighted during our annual school tours. The property also features a Japanese Garden, sundial, a couple sculptures, windmill, gazebo and a Howe Farm Scale. Annual ACHS fundraisers and events include craft shows, teas, book sales, school tours, Family Heritage Day, D-Day Remembered, and Christmas Past & Present.
