CELEBRATING 55 YEARS
Education
The discovery of the long-lost El Paso Claim Club record books represents a significant milestone in the exploration of Colorado's earliest land history. These records, some dating back to the late 1850s, are not only a testament to the perseverance and vision of Colorado's early settlers — men like Bott, Fosdick, Tappan, Whitsitt, and Wootton — they also provide invaluable insights into the formation of Old Colorado City, the precursor to Colorado Springs, and the Pikes Peak region in general during the Gold Rush era.
When settlers began pouring into the region during the late 1850s and early 1860s, the need for organized land management became apparent. The El Paso Claim Club emerged as a body for coordinating and managing land claims, ensuring that those who arrived to settle and mine had a means of establishing their rights to the land. In the 1930s, Colorado College Professor George Anderson discovered and transcribed one of the El Paso Claim Club’s original record books. Anderson assumed more records had survived, but his search for them proved fruitless.
After reading about Professor Anderson’s claim club research in The Colorado Magazine, the thought of finding those records intrigued me and I started asking questions. In 2023, with the assistance of the El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, we finally located those long-lost El Paso Claim Club record books! While those documents have been safeguarded by the county for many years, until recently their historical significance wasn’t fully appreciated. On March 10, 2026 I’ll be giving a presentation about this exciting discovery at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, and I invite you to join us.
Each monthly session will feature a different STEM or Colorado History topic where we explore in the classroom, in the museum and throughout the historic Museum Campus.
We do require that a supervising adult be present, but you may work together with other Homeschool families to coordinate supervision. Students of outlying ages/abilities may receive other age-appropriate activities. For further inquires, please speak with our Education Coordinator at education@wmmi.org.
A hands-on workshop in the Museum's Historic Apple Orchard learning to graft with scions from Heritage Apple tree varieties.
The Museum is a fully non-smoking venue. Service dogs only allowed. There is plenty of parking and designated handicap parking spaces. Be prepared for outdoor weather as this workshop will take place outside in the Museum's historic Apple Orchard.
Celebrate Mining Day at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry!
Enjoy guided tours of our fascinating exhibits, interact with mining exhibitors, try your hand at gold panning, and watch live machine demonstrations in action. It’s a fun-filled day for the whole family to explore the exciting world of mining. General admission applies, and members get in free!
Don't miss out on this thrilling experience!
It's fun to learn when learning is fun!
Sponsored by Orica.
We have three days available; you can select sessions individually or choose to attend the full day of activities.
Tuesday March 24th
AM session: Mining
PM session: Industry
Wednesday March 25th
AM session: Geology
PM session: Chemistry
Thursday March 26th
AM session: Electricity
PM session: Physics
It's fun to learn when learning is fun!
Sponsored by Orica.
We have three days available; you can select sessions individually or choose to attend the full day of activities.
Tuesday March 24th
AM session: Mining
PM session: Industry
Wednesday March 25th
AM session: Geology
PM session: Chemistry
Thursday March 26th
AM session: Electricity
PM session: Physics
It's fun to learn when learning is fun!
Sponsored by Orica.
We have three days available, you can select sessions individually or choose to attend the full day of activities.
Tuesday March 24th
AM session: Mining
PM session: Industry
Wednesday March 25th
AM session: Geology
PM session: Chemistry
Thursday March 26th
AM session: Electricity
PM session: Physics
It's fun to learn when learning is fun!
Sponsored by Orica.
We have three days available; you can select sessions individually or choose to attend the full day of activities.
Tuesday March 24th
AM session: Mining
PM session: Industry
Wednesday March 25th
AM session: Geology
PM session: Chemistry
Thursday March 26th
AM session: Electricity
PM session: Physics
It's fun to learn when learning is fun!
Sponsored by Orica.
We have three days available; you can select sessions individually or choose to attend the full day of activities.
Tuesday March 24th
AM session: Mining
PM session: Industry
Wednesday March 25th
AM session: Geology
PM session: Chemistry
Thursday March 26th
AM session: Electricity
PM session: Physics
It's fun to learn when learning is fun!
Sponsored by Orica.
We have three days available; you can select sessions individually or choose to attend the full day of activities.
Tuesday March 24th
AM session: Mining
PM session: Industry
Wednesday March 25th
AM session: Geology
PM session: Chemistry
Thursday March 26th
AM session: Electricity
PM session: Physics
Showed up for STEM event and left a fan. This museum is not like any other mining museum i had been to. I working blacksmith and stamp mill was a pleasant touch. Flourscent Blacklight Mineral room is also a winner. Its an affordable and educational experience that is worth the value.
