Tours – Aspen Historical Society

Tours

All tours will be capped at a maximum of 6 participants and current masking, social-distancing, and public health requirements will be strictly observed. Click here for Pitkin County’s “5 commitments to containment,” additional local public health requirements, and more resources.

We have created several NEW outdoor tours to offer during these uncertain times! However, we will not be able to offer a few of our “usual” tours, including the Hotel Jerome Tour, the Wheeler Opera House Tour, the Historic Pub Crawl, and the History Coach Tour. Private tours and guided experiences will be offered based on guide availability, call 970.925.3721 to book.

ALL TOURS WILL REQUIRE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS. Call 970.925.3721 to book.

AHS money-back guarantee “Learn something NEW, or we’ll give your money back to you!”
AHS offers a money-back guarantee for all guided tours! We’re confident you’ll learn something from our historians and trained interpretive guides, but if not, we’ll happily refund your tour fee.

Victorian West End Walking Tour

rotator-summer-tour-walking

A stroll through Aspen’s Victorian West End with a focus on history and architecture. Learn little-known facts about the neighborhood’s homes and the people who lived in them.

DETAILS
Tuesday – Saturday (June 16 – October 3)
10:30am
1½ hours in duration
Meet at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W Bleeker St.

COST
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Historical Downtown Walking Tour

AHS_DT Walking Tour

A guided walking tour of historical buildings, sites, and stories around every corner in downtown Aspen.

DETAILS
Tuesday – Saturday (June 16 – October 3)
1:30pm
1½ hours in duration
Meet outside the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.

COST
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

bauhaus architectural walking tour

AHS_Bauhaus walking tour_1_crop

a walking tour to explore examples of bauhaus principles that continue to inspire local design, including one of herbert bayer’s former residences, as well as styles introduced by bayer that have influenced area architects for decades. the tour was created in partnership with local architect harry teague and made possible in part by the city of aspen in honor of the 2019 community-wide bauhaus 100: aspen celebrations.

details
tuesdays & thursdays (June 16 – October 1)
1:30pm
2 hours in duration
meet at the corner of aspen and hallam streets at the red brick center for the arts, 110 e hallam st.

cost
$15 adults / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Red Butte Cemetery Tour

redbutte

A guided tour of one of Aspen’s oldest cemeteries, including insight into the lives of the locals who are buried there.

DETAILS
Wednesdays (June 17 – September 30)
1:30pm (1 hour in duration)
Meet at the Red Butte Cemetery gate off Cemetery Lane.

COST
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Midland Railbed Tour

Generic Mike Tour

A guided tour from Gondola Plaza to the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum alongside Aspen’s lesser-known railroad corridor at the base of Aspen Mountain. The easy walk follows the Colorado Midland Railroad path and explores the area’s mining and transportation history, including a visit to the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum.

DETAILS
Fridays (June 19 – October 2)
1:30pm (1.5 hour in duration)
Meet at Gondola Plaza on Durant Ave.

COST
$15 adult / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Independence Ghost Town Tour

Historical Society (17 of 57)

A guided tour to explore the historic Independence Ghost Town where, legend has it, prospectors struck gold on July 4, 1879 making the area the first mining site in the Roaring Fork Valley. Today, Independence is an archaeological preserve located just below the continental Divide and a “don’t-miss stop” on Independence Pass along the Top of the Rockies’ Scenic Byway.

DETAILS
Fridays (June 19 – October 2)
10:30am
1.5 hours in duration
Meet at the Independence Ghost Town parking lot.

COST
$15 adults / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Mining & Ranching Machinery Tour

Hoedown2_AndrewBurlingame 038_sm web

A monthly guided tour to experience the mining and ranching exhibits at the Holden/Marolt Museum property, which is situated on the site of the largest industrial complex in the history of Pitkin County. The tour will explore restored machinery, including operating steam engines, stamp mills and hoists. The tour also includes access to the Zupancis homestead buildings, which are being restored in partnership with the City of Aspen.

DETAILS
Third Fridays, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18
1:30pm
1.5 hours in duration
Meet at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, 40180 Highway 82.

COST
$15 adults / $12 seniors and children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)
Tour includes admission to the Holden/Marolt Museum only (no transferable admission at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum)

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Aspen Historical Society Archive Tours

P1030734

A guided “backstage” tour of the renovated archive and research facility! The tour includes viewing of the new display “Maps of the AHS Collection” in the Community Gallery, as well as a look at artifacts in the AHS Collection.

DETAILS
Third Tuesdays, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15
11am (1 hour in duration)
Meet outside the Archive Building at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W Bleeker St.

COST
Free

Space is limited to 6 people for all tours. Reservations are required in advance, call 970.925.3721 to book.

Museums (docent on site during open hours)

Wheeler/Stallard Museum

Historical society (cabin&museum) (29 of 50)

A unique interpretive museum housed in one of Aspen’s most celebrated Victorian mansions. Museum admission includes access to the second floor gallery, where the new exhibition “bayer & bauhaus: how design changed aspen” is on display through 2020 (click here to learn more about the exhibit.) A docent is available to show guests through the Museum and answer questions during open hours.

DETAILS (opening date and hours subject to change)
Beginning June 16, the museum is open with docent onsite Tuesday – Saturday, from 11am – 5pm*
620 W Bleeker Street (between 5th and 6th Streets)
*Closed on Independence Day, Friday July 4, 2020

ADMISSION*
AHS is offering free admission for all visitors until the new exhibit opens in the second floor gallery, date TBD

Free for AHS members
Free for active military personnel through the Blue Star program
$10 adults / $8 seniors / children 18 and under free (must be accompanied by an adult)
Free for active military personnel through the Blue Star program
Admission is free for all visitors on the first Saturday of each month
*Admission fee includes access to the Holden/Marolt Museum during the summer

Purchase Tickets

Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum

holdenmarolt_web

ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum explores the industrial and agricultural history of the Aspen area. From mining to railways to ranching, the past comes alive at this pastoral museum that sits on the site of the largest industrial complex in the history of Pitkin County, The Holden Lixiviation Works. The historic Zupancis cabins were recently moved to the property and are being restored to help tell the story of the Quiet Years and immigrants who helped shape the area. The Holden/Marolt Museum is directly adjacent to a public bike trail near the entrance to Aspen. New this summer, AHS extends free museum admission to visitors who either bike or walk to the museum! A docent is available to show guests through the Museum and answer questions during open hours.

DETAILS (opening date and hours subject to change)
From June 16th – October 3, the museum is open with docent onsite Tuesday – Saturday, from 11am – 5pm (closed Independence Day, Friday, July 4, 2020)
40180 HWY 82 (adjacent to the public bike path, on the Marolt Open Space across the pedestrian bridge at 7th Street)

ADMISSION*
Free for car-free visitors thanks to generous sponsors Alpine Bank**
Free for AHS members
Free for active military personnel through the Blue Star program
$10 adult / $8 senior / free for children under 18 (must be accompanied by an adult)
Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month
*Admission fee includes access to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum during the summer
**AHS extends free museum admission to visitors who either bike or walk to the museum on the bike path, or take public transit (in addition to trail access, there are multiple RFTA stops nearby, as well as a WE-Cycle bike share station at the Marolt Housing Complex)

Tours by appointment are offered dependent on guide availability. Call 970.925.3721 to reserve with as much advance notice as possible.

History Coach Tour

AHS_new History Coach1

A guided tour of historic downtown Aspen in our unique electric vehicle – complete with a visit to both the Wheeler/Stallard Museum and the Holden/Marolt Mining and Ranching Museum. Guests gain a totally new understanding of Aspen’s transformations from a mining town to ski town to year-round, world-famous resort!

DETAILS
2 ¼ hours in duration
Meet at the Wheeler Opera House, 320 E Hyman Ave.

COST
$25 adults / $20 seniors & children 18 and under (must be accompanied by an adult)

Limit 5 seats. Reservations required – call 970.925.3721 to book (based on guide availability).