Saturday, April 23, 2016

Littleton Museum--a Trip Back in Time




If you read my last blog post, you would see that we received almost two feet of snow last weekend, in a typical weather event that we often experience in spring on the Front Range in Colorado.  Just four days afterward almost all the snow had melted, except for a few patches here and there that were in the shade. In fact ,the weather was so beautiful that my husband and I decided to take our oldest granddaughter to the Littleton Museum, located at 6028 S. Gallup Street, Littleton Coloradocalled one of the top ten local history museums in the United States.  There is an exhibit building full of antique memorabilia and historical documents relating to Littleton's past; newspaper clippings, war stories, technological advances and other artifacts, which are fascinating to view, but we wanted to show our granddaughter the two living history farms--one representing 1860, and the other 1890, located on the museums, 39 acres. (All photos in this post will enlarge if clicked on)


She was very excited to be here for her first visit!


As we walked the dirt paths we could see actual farm buildings that were moved from their original locations to be preserved on the museum grounds.


It's interesting to see the assorted buildings and farm equipment on display, and it felt like we were transported back in time


We knew the farm animals would be the biggest attraction for our young granddaughter.  She spotted the one black sheep in this fold, and began to sing the song: "Baa, Baa black sheep have you any wool? 
The sheep are an old and rare breed called Navajo-Churro sheep, brought to the southwest by the Spanish in the 1500's.  There will soon be a shearing day event  to remove their heavy winter wool coats.


There was a nice amount of animals to see as we walked along the paths.  Many were relaxing in the shade of their stalls, after having eaten their lunch. Great care has been taken by the museum to ensure that plants and animals are historically accurate for the time period they represent.



One of the favorite animals my granddaughter saw was one of the most common--a curled up cat in a chair outside the 1890 farmhouse. We were careful not to disturb his nap


One of the most interesting buildings was a "root cellar," used to keep food supplies at a low temperature and steady humidity. It keeps food from freezing in the winter and to keep food cool in summer months to prevent spoilage.


This is Littleton's original one room schoolhouse, circa 1865. What a rustic life children led back then!  I think many Americans are familiar with the series of books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, who was born in 1867, of her life growing up in the midwest during that era, but we learned of another author, Ralph Moody, who spent his early childhood in Littleton, and became the "man of the family" when his father was killed in an accident when Ralph was eleven.  Moody wrote a series of books called "Little Britches," in which he describes the ranching and farming life of the early 1900's.


All around the Littleton Museum farms there was plenty to see and do for both children and adults to enjoy! 


A portion of the grounds is situated next to Ketring Lake, which was formed as a reservoir in the 1890's as a water source for the farms and orchards that surrounded it. Now it is a quiet fishing spot and area for water fowl, with geese, ducks, herons, cormorants, and western grebes, visiting it.


My granddaughter really liked this whimsical sculpture of a young boy reading a book, that was outside the Littleton Museum's exhibition hall.  The book has this beautiful quotation by Helen Keller written on its open page: "The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

There is a delightful little play area inside the museum for children, with a reading nook and books and a replica kitchen with play food, that my granddaughter really enjoyed for quite awhile. However, no photography is allowed inside.


On special days for the museum there are living history interpreters in costumes of the period, who answer questions and share details of early life in Littleton, as well as hands on programs and special events to further enrich the museum experience.  The best part of all is that the museum and grounds are free!  We know we will be returning often to enjoy the beautiful grounds and to take part in the special events with our grandchildren.  It is a true local gem!

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56 comments:

Anonymous said...

It really is a great looking historical museum. Your little grand is such a cutie pie!

The Furry Gnome said...

Now that's the kind of museum I could really enjoy!

Linda W. said...

What a cool place to visit! I'll bet your granddaughter had a great time.

Vee said...

Proof positive that all is as it should be seeing your darling granddaughter wearing shirtsleeves! Love, love, love how she is responding to the young boy reading. Sweetness.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Looks a wonderful place.

Beverly said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Pat.

Thank you for sharing this very special day with your little sweetie. I just showed this post to my husband. This living museum is wonderful, and it is the kind of place we love, too.

Susan Anderson said...

Like going back in time…so quaint and appealing.

=)

Barbara said...

We really like the Littleton History Museum and have visited it many times over the last 30 + years. When we took one of my young grandsons to the one-room school house, he took it upon himself to lead everybody in the room in the Pledge of Allegiance, surprising us all! It made for a good memory.

Michelle said...

What a great place to visit with your granddaughter. She looks like she is really enjoying the moment!

Sarah said...

What a fun place to take your granddaughter. Fun and educational!

diane b said...

These type of living museums are fabulous for both adults and children. So easy to learn history that way. I love the shot of your Granddaughter with her hand on the statue's arm

Holly Myers said...

Looks like a great place to visit! Love those sheep!

NCSue said...

Lovely photos.

So glad you came by http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/04/worlds-best-meatloaf-recipe-wordful.html to share!

GreenComotion said...

The cellar is definitely a very good idea.
Your photos are awesome.
Have a Happy Week ahead!!
Peace :)

Rajesh said...

Excellent shots of different buildings on the farm.

Ruth said...

What a pretty place! I enjoy history, so, I know I would have enjoyed this place. Well, the animals are cute too. Can't deny they are an attraction on their own.

Jeanne said...

Hi Pat, Another adventure to share with you and your darling granddaughter. The museum is a great place to remind children of today how life used to be. The village cabins and the sheep are so fun to see. We always go to museums when we can and several of the ones we visited out West were so entertaining. This visit was extra special because of your little sweetie being with you.
xo,
Jeanne

betty-NZ said...

I love places like that!! They teach history in such a fun way.

Betsy said...

What a fun place to see. I loved visiting my daughter in Colorado when she lived there. Didn't get to see enough of the state. Loved visiting manitou springs, truck ride up Pikes peak and that royal gorge. Lots of adventure to be had there. Miss that place. So neat you live there and look forward to seeing more of your posts.
betsy

Sylvia said...

Pat, I love those old buildings. The area has a lot to offer the visitors. I'm glad you enjoyed your day. Sylvia D.

Anonymous said...

Really is good to take little kids to museums - it makes them inquisitive:) Love the root cellar - I need one like that! Many thanks for sharing this outing with SEASONS! Greatly appreciated and interesting! Have a great week, and "see" you very soon!

Andrea said...

I envy countries that can make open museums like that, how i wish we also have that to remind our younger generations. I am sure your grandkid will treasure her first visit and will reminisce that experience as time goes on, even for her own grandkids.

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

hello Pat,
Such an interesting post. I always love your museum visits and learn so much.
Adorable grandie too!
Shane

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Fascinating to step back in time.
Looks like your cute granddaughter had a great time....
Thanks for sharing your visit.....enjoy your week!

The French Hutch said...

What a great and educational experience for your granddaughter, and she is adorable. All the buildings and the animals are truly a wonderful way to learn. My grandson would love this. I have the entire set of the "Little House" books and Laura Ingaalls Wilder. Her life was interesting! Great tour Pat and great photos.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Pat! You grand daughter is so cute, I would be excited to visit this place too. I love the history farms and the animals. The sheep are so cute. The sculpture of the boy reading is awesome and a great Helen Keller quote. Lovely collection of photos, thanks for sharing your visit.
Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

DrillerAA09 said...

What a great post. Taking kids to historical sites like this gives them a view of history that books will never be able to duplicate. These kinds of family outings are just the best. Our grandkids have a love for all things zoo. They love going to see the animals. Have a blessed Wordless Wednesday.

Sharon said...

What awesome preserved farm buildings! I love that these are there for youngsters like your granddaughter to explore.

CountryMouse said...

What a great museum! We have a few around that are like that as well and a very popular on their 'working' days. I love looking at the old farm buildings and fencing. It is quite interesting and different to what I've seen here. Also that view of the mountains is amazing.

Donna said...

Hard to believe all that snow melted in 4 days and you are pretty dry it looks.....not ever would that happen here. I love this trip...history and museums are a special love of mine. And spending it with your adorable granddaughter makes it even more special for you and her.

Donna@GardensEyeView
and LivingFromHappiness

elizabeth said...

I love exploring historic places like this! Thanks for taking us with you!

Villrose said...

Of course the animals are the most attractive :)
That was the way the settlers lived...

A Colorful World said...

Oh, I adore living history museums and this one is a gem! I have to put it on the list for a future trip back to CO! Loved hearing about the Little Britches books too. Your little one is so adorable. Great shots!

Nancy's Notes said...

I would love to visit, that history comes to life is just awesome! Your granddaughter is adorable!
Thanks for sharing this marvelous museum with us.
Nancy

DeniseinVA said...

A fantastic way to spend time with your granddaughter. She is such a pretty and cute little girl. You are sowing some great memories too. Love the look of this place and love your photos. Thank you for sharing them Pat.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

A perfect place to visit with your granddaughter. I'd love it too! I always love these living history places -- such a fun and easy way to learn. I didn't know this one was there. I love the way you two are embracing your new state ... and am guessing that you know more about it by now than many who were born and bred there!

Ida said...

Your little granddaughter is adorable. How wonderful to be able to take her to this place. It looked like a lot of fun was had. Lots to see & do. I enjoyed the animals, those sheep are quite something and it would be fascinating to learn about how life was lead back then. Also loved the shot of the sleeping kitty.

Annesphamily said...

Fun place isn't it? Lots of sweet hidden gems around here. Always lovely photos, Enjoy your weekend, cold as it may be! xo

Rambling Woods said...

What a wonderful nature adventure for children.... Michelle

John's Island said...

Hi Pat, If you follow my blog much, you will know I love history! This is such a neat visit to the Littleton Museum farms! Sure enjoyed all the photos. Your photos make me want to visit in person! Thank you for your recent comment on my blog. Hope to see you more often! Have a fine weekend ahead!

Jim said...

This is a nice post, Pat. I also posted a while back about taking our youngest granddaughter on to her first Zoo visit here in Houston. She liked petting and brushing the sheep also. I went to school in a one room school, grades 1-8. Then to a two room school for grades 9-10. That was in Eastern Nebraska.
..

Betty said...

Your grandaugter has really grown. She's no longer a baby but a little girl. What an interesting place to visit. Times have really changed. Too bad they don't allow pictures inside.

Anne's Attic - Design said...

Thank you for sharing your trip at SYC!

Anonymous said...

What a great museum! I love the excited look on her face.

Anonymous said...

What a delightful place!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, I just wanted to stop back and say I really loved the critters in your post. What a great place to visit.

Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

bj said...

What a neat place...and your little grand is so precious...
If ever you are in Lubbock, we have a Ranching Heritage Center (Texas Tech) that is much like this....so so interesting.

Al said...

What a great place. I've never heard of it before, but I'll have to add it to my list the next time the grandkids are in town.

LV said...

My son and his wife lived in Littleton a few years. I visited them but never had the pleasure of seeing this interesting place.

carol l mckenna said...

What a wonderful post and great photos and sweet little girl ~ ^_^

Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I know you are loving being close to your grandkids and being able to share things like this with them. What a beautiful place to spend time. It really does take you away from it all. Enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Diane

Anonymous said...

This is on my "must see" list Pat. We really need to find a few weeks to come down to CO so that I can see all of my "must sees". I was really hoping we would end up there to settle down, but I do not think that is going to happen so vacations here I come.

Lisa @ LTTL

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

I love places like this! We visited a historical museum in Co. when we were staying in Breckenridge last year. At first I thought it was this one, but there were no animals. I can't remember the name of the town right now. Your little grand is such a cutie! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Pat,

I had some time this weekend and wanted to pay you an visit and tell you I was thinking of you.

Loved going on this tour with you. Can you even imagine what life would have been like in the mountains in snow without electricity and modern conveniences? Those were some rugged pioneers.

I have always loved log cabins and wood. So this is right up my alley. I hope that some day we will get out your way to see Colorado. Mr. Magpie's first cousins live there. At least two of them do. So it is on our bucket list.

Love you, my friend!

xo

Sheila :-)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

That is such a precious photo of your granddaughter touching the arm of the boy! This is a fabulous place to visit and take a step back in time. Thanks for sharing with us!

Art and Sand said...

What a fun place to visit - especially with your granddaughter.

Thanks for sharing with SYC.