Everyone is invited to come down to the Pagosa Springs History Museum and spend time viewing the special exhibit — “Moments that Made US” this summer in honor of America’s 250th birthday, in addition to its permanent exhibits.
‘Moments that Made US’
In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. The museum is celebrating this monumental moment in America’s history with an America 250 commemorative exhibition honoring the Declaration of Independence.
“Moments That Made US” looks at the ideals at the heart of the Declaration of Independence by exploring moments in our history that have served to define their meaning.
This nationwide exhibit is being brought to our community to aid in understanding founding principles like “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” “Consent of the Governed,” “Created Equal,” “Free and Independent State” and “We Mutually Pledge to Each Other.”
The exhibition explores how generations of Americans have given meaning to the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence and includes interpretation various events in our country’s history that show how our citizens have worked to uphold the ideals of our founding fathers.
Just one portion of the exhibit explores “The Price of Revolution,” explaining, “Benjamin Franklin championed paper money when others doubted it. He recognized that gold and silver were too scarce to fuel colonial trade and pay workers. Instead, he proposed a national currency backed by land.
“Most states ignored him, printing their own paper bills backed only by future taxes. But by the 1780s, state money collapsed in value, and the government under the Articles of Confederation struggled to respond to the economic depression. The financial crisis confirmed the need for a strong central government that could manage the nation’s money—the type of government Franklin would support at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.”
This exhibition will run the full 2026 season.
‘Star Spangled Quilts’
The America 250-Colorado 150 celebration presents an opportunity to showcase a collection of quilts dubbed the “Star Spangled Quilts” exhibition.
These quilts celebrate the founding of our country. Many of them are created by local quilters Cindy Vermillion Hamilton Shutler, Judy Jordan and Pam Thompson.
In addition to viewing the quilts, you will have the opportunity to understand the artist’s inspiration for the creation of the quilt.
Shutler created “Eleanor’s Eagle” in loving memory of her mother, Eleanor Hall Vermillion, who stitched a similar quilt from a kit circa 1971. (Shutler quilted the top for her. That quilt was used and discarded by a family member.)
Shutler drafted a pattern for “Eleanor’s Eagle” from a photo she found of a similar quilt in a Pennsylvania museum catalogue. The eagle is a well-known design.
This is designed in the style of the 1850s, when, Shutler related, “red and green applique was all the rage.” This quilt is hand appliqued and machine quilted.
The collection
The majority of the items on display in the museum were found, used or produced in the area, including metal art and fossils of the extinct mosasaur — an aquatic reptile that was discovered in Archuleta County.
A few of the exhibitions available to view at the museum include logging and railroad, a plethora of old photographs, a general store, ranching and textiles.
Connect
The museum is located a short walk from downtown at 96 Pagosa St. (the corner of U.S. 160 and 1st Street).
Donations are accepted to offset the operating expenses. The museum relies on private funding and grants to operate, and all donations are greatly appreciated.
Days and hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
For updates or more information, visit www.pagosamuseum.org.
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