Upcoming Events

2022 Guided Tours & Special Events

During the summer, special events and guided tours are held to
educate the public on the history of Lake City and Hinsdale County
and provide an enjoyable experience for all!

Please note: Times, dates, and events subject to change.

TOURS

· Ghost Tours - 7:30PM every Friday

Come learn about our local ghosts on a walking tour of Lake City's Historic District - from town-wide arsenic poisonings to corpse amputations, duels to hangings, child poltergeists to apparitions, we've got it all.

• $10 for adults - $2 for children under the age of 10
• Tickets can be bought at the door or available online here

· Walking History Tours - 2:00PM June 24, July 23, and August 12

Join local historian Grant Houston for a short walk through downtown Lake City. Learn about our floods, fires, early businesses and pioneers. Perfect for anyone who loves good stories.

• $10 for adults - $2 for children under the age of 10
• Tickets can be bought at the door or available online here

· Lost Lake City - June 21 at 5:00PM, June 25 at 10:00AM, July 6 at 5:00PM, July 9 at 10:00AM

Lost Lake City uncovers the hidden past. Fire, flood, and demolition have erased and concealed many people and places from Lake City's memory. Participants will explore these forgotten histories through a 1.5 hour walking tour of the town's national historic district.

• $10 for adults - $2 for children under the age of 10
• Tickets can be bought at the door or available online here

· Cemetery Tours - 2:00PM June 25, July 22, and August 13

Want to meet Lake City's early residents in a new way? They're still around - come take a turn about the cemetery and visit them; learn about who they were and how they shaped the Lake City you see today.

• $10 for adults - $2 for children under the age of 10
• Tickets can be bought at the door or available online here

· Courthouse Tours - 10:00AM June 27, July 11, 18, and 25, and August 1 and 8

Lake City's Courthouse is the oldest in the state that is still in use - and it's the site of the infamous Alferd Packer trial. These guided tours are your ticket to seeing the courtroom where the action happened, and still happens to this day.

• FREE TO ATTEND





SPECIAL EVENTS

· Volcano Field Trips - 8:45AM May 28, July 2, August 13, and September 3 (Also available by request for groups of 4 or more, as our guide's schedule allows)

Did you know Lake City sits in the remains of a huge magma chamber? Which then became a lake so deep that there was no life at the bottom? Renowned geologist Harvey DuChene will take you back in time to experience the monumental volcanoes that have formed the Lake City of today.

Field trip meeting at the museum at 9:00AM and lasting approximately 4 hours

• $25 for adults, $5 for children under 13 (must be accompanied by parent)
• Participation is limited to 15 people
• Participants will provide own vehicles, 4WD not needed
• We suggest bringing water and folding chairs
  
• Tickets can be bought at the door or online here



· 5th Annual Pub Crawl - 3:00PM August 5

Car 211 is Hinsdale County Historical Society's next big restoration project - this railroad car used to run the route to Lake City and has come home to be displayed with pride at the Hinsdale County Museum. We look forward to returning it to its former glory! All proceeds from this fundraiser go toward the Car 211 restoration fund.

Commemorative Artwork made by the talented and generous Kathy DuChene. One of her Car 211 art prints is also available for sale.

• $50 per person, includes commemorative beer mug and 3 beer or wine tickets (non-alcoholic drinks available as well)
• 3 local historians will be speaking at 3 local venues
• Begin at museum, with a short tour of Car 211
• Tickets can be bought at the door or online here



· Rocks and Minerals 101 - 1:00PM August 20

Harvey DuChene, Lake City's resident geologist, will introduce you to the rocks and minerals of Hinsdale County, and teach you how to identify what you see as you explore Hinsdale's backyard. Come excited to handle some cool rocks!

Interactive Presentation held at the museum

• $25 for adults, no children 12 and under
• Participation is limited to 20 people
• Minerals, rocks, and magnifier will be supplied for the event
  
• Tickets can be bought at the door or online here



· Scarlet Belles Performance - 6:30PM July 12, 19, 26, and August 9

Returning, triumphant, for its 9th season - Lake City's own Scarlet Belles musical performance! Written by Grant Houston and Mary Stigall, directed by Alice Curry, this play will introduce you to some (fictional) characters from Lake City's historic red light district.

• $15 for adults (play does contain mature themes)
• Tickets can be bought at the door or online here



· SOLD OUT - Vickers Ranch Tour and Chuckwagon Dinner - 4:00PM August 11

Vickers Ranch is hosting a party! Come see the Vickers Ranch House and Rec Hall (Perk's Place), and enjoy dinner on us. There will also be a special showing of a collection of Lake City memories with Perk Vickers, Joel Swank and Herman Heath from 1994.

• $40 for adults
• Tickets sold out
  
  
  

  LECTURE SERIES

  
  

  · Lake City, Marble and the Lincoln Memorial - Historical Connections with Joe Fox- 6:30PM July 6

  A Lecture and Power Point presentation on Lake City’s connections to the Colorado Yule Marble Co. at Marble, Colorado, including Forest Manning and Channing Meek, latter prominent at Carson and founder of Lake City Hospital. .

  • $10 for adults
  • Tickets can be bought at the door or online here
  
  

  · Beneath Blue Mesa with David Primus - 6:00PM July 10

  Blue Mesa was not always filled with water - before it was created as a reservoir, it was a world-class fishing stream with residences and history. Come see the photos and hear the stories of the drowned bridge, houses, and businesses.

  • $10 for adults
  • Tickets can be bought at the door or online here
  
  

  · Pioneer Fish Hatcheries of the Upper Rio Grande with Sandra Wagner - 6:00PM July 27

  Are you interested in fishing? Come learn about how fishing in this area was supported throughout the history of Lake City and nearby communities. It may not improve your chances of catching anything, but surely it will give you something to think about while you wait for a bite!

  • $10 for adults
  • Tickets can be bought at the door or online here