Museums & History

Longmont's modern history dates back to 1870.

A group of prominent Chicago men established the Chicago-Colorado Colony before naming the town Longmont upon its completion in 1871. Longmont has three designated historic districts and nine National Register of Historic Places locations.

Cover Photo: Joan Weisman

Historical Sites:

Hoverhome & Farmstead

The impressive brick residence and the utilitarian frame farm buildings are inextricably linked to each other and to Longmont’s agricultural past. In January 1999, Hoverhome and Hover Farmstead were added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Sandstone Ranch

Sandstone Ranch Visitors & Learning Center is a historic property that was first homesteaded in 1860 by the Coffin family. The house (now the Visitors & Learning Center) and property sit on 313 acres of land abundant in natural, cultural and historic resources.

Callahan House

This historic Victorian home is a warm and lovely backdrop for elegant and memorable special events, from dinner parties to weddings. The gardens are open for visitors all year.

Old Mill Park

Old Mill Park was dedicated on August 1, 1976, for historical and educational purposes. The city of Longmont has designated it a landmark, and it contains original buildings, plantings, and artifacts.

St. Stephen’s Church

Old St. Stephen’s Church was built in 1881 as the first home for the congregation of St. Stephen’s Episcopal parish. Designated a local historic landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old St. Stephen’s continues to be owned and maintained by the Historical Society. Visitors can enjoy the historic ambience of the historic plaza surrounding the church and tour the building on an appointment basis.

Museums:

Longmont Museum and Cultural Center

It features changing and permanent art, science, and history exhibits and participates in the state's largest Day of the Dead celebration. The museum’s 250-seat Stewart Auditorium hosts films, lectures, and performances of all types.

Longmont also has two small historical museums: the Dougherty Museum and the Agricultural Heritage Center.

Virtual History Tours:

Visit the Longmont Museum's virtual tours for historical photographs, text, and audio recordings that walk you through more than a dozen downtown locations from your smartphone. The text and audio are available in English and Spanish. The tours are free to use and don’t require any downloads.

There are currently three history-specific tours available:

Downtown Longmont

Latino History in Longmont

Women of Longmont