620 W. Bleeker St.
(Behind the Wheeler/Stallard Museum)
Aspen, CO 81611
Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., appointments required
Closed major holidays
archiveaspen.org
archives@aspenhistory.org
970.925.3721
Situated behind the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, the Archives Building is home to the collections processing facility and a storage vault that houses a portion of the physical collection. The Community Gallery and administrative offices are also located in the Archives Building.
Research assistance and access to the physical Archives is available by appointment, email archives@aspenhistory.org or call 970.925.3721.
Complimentary guided tours of the Archives are offered monthly.
AHS operates one of the largest public archives on the Western Slope featuring images, historical papers, maps, and priceless artifacts from every era of the area’s history that are preserved according to archival best practices for the benefit of the community. From maps of 1800s mining claims to ledgers, oral histories, moving pictures, the entire Aspen Times newspaper archive since 1881, tens of thousands of historical images, over 7,900 three dimensional objects, and more. the AHS Archives is a treasure trove that grows each year, as do the number of archival consultations.
The public is invited to use the archives as a resource, for researching anything from genealogy to birth certificates to land use records. Research assistance and access to the physical Archives is available by appointment, email archives@aspenhistory.org or call 970.925.3721.
Explore the archives online! Featuring the majority of the AHS Collection, the online archives is updated in real-time and searchable by keyword. Photo files are available for purchase as prints or for commercial use on a fee basis.
The Community Gallery is a multi-use space located on the first floor of the Archives Building with rotating displays to showcase works from the AHS Collection.
Opening in December 8, 2025 in the Aspen Historical Society Community Gallery, Mountainscapes Photography by David Hiser is a curated display of images from David Hiser’s newly preserved collection. A Roaring Fork Valley resident since 1965, Hiser is a widely published photojournalist and photography educator. The display is curated by AHS archivist Anna Scott and highlights one of David’s favorite subjects with vibrant color images of mountain views overlaying large-format black-and-white selections.
Hiser was a contributing photographer for Aspen Illustrated News, a weekly newspaper published from 1964 through 1970, whose work has also been published by National Geographic, among other notable outlets. His prolific imagery illustrates a lively view of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley from the 1970s to today, documenting everything from people and their passions to the places he explored. Often focusing his lens on the outdoors, David captured the Aspen area’s dramatic landscapes and recreational pursuits. He was as much an artist who cared about his subject matter as he was a mountain climber and outdoorsman with a knack for photography, always carrying his camera.
Aspen Historical Society is immensely grateful to David for the donation of his photographs to the Aspen Historical Society Archives. The breadth of his works offers an invaluable photo history of the area and is a treasure to the entire community and anyone who loves Aspen. Thank you David!
Community Gallery open during Archives Office hours (Monday – Friday 10 – 4); however, it is best to call ahead to confirm access.
This replica carriage house was built in 1977. A major renovation was completed in 2017, funded by the AHS Campaign, which raised $1 million in capital expenses for the critical renovation project. Thanks to the collective generosity of many, the Archive Building now features community space for exhibitions, educational programming, and events; a 35% increase in collection storage capacity; a state-of-the-art climate control system and advanced hazard-protection system to safeguard our collection; and additional space for offices. The renovation allowed AHS to best protect the Collection, display more artifacts, and host additional and larger educational programs and lectures.
