Frisco Historic Park and Museum Announces a Full Schedule of Summer Historic Programs

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum is planning a full schedule of summer events including the return of the popular lunchtime lecture series, historic walking tours and hikes, and a Frisco History Day in July to honor the Town of Frisco’s past.

“All of our programs are to designed for participants of all ages to interact with Frisco’s history and environment in a meaningful way by combining the education piece with other activities, whether it’s hiking, biking, or just relaxing at a lecture with ample opportunities to ask questions,” said Rose Gorrell, Historic Park & Museum manager.

Historic Main Street Walking Tours

Museum staff will share their favorite stories from Frisco’s 140+ year history as they guide visitors and locals alike along Historic Main Street. The tour begins at the Schoolhouse Museum, winds through Main Street, and ends at the historic Lund House at the Frisco Bay Marina. This tour is limited to ten people and advanced registration is required. If you have a larger party or would prefer to book a private tour, please call 970-668- 3428 or email Museum@townoffrisco.com.

When: Fridays and Saturdays

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13 and up) $10
Children (Ages 4-12) $5
Children under four are free.

Masontown Historic Hiking Tour

Museum staff will lead a hike up Mount Royal to the old Masontown mining site with all new content on Frisco mining history, the natural environment, and the myths of Masontown. The route is just over 2.5 miles round-trip with plenty of water breaks and scenic views making it a fun morning for the whole family.

When: Wednesdays, June 29, July 06, July 20, August 3, and August 17, 2022 at 9:00 am.

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13 and up) $20
Children (Ages 4-12) $5
Children under four are free.
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets

Frisco History Day

Frisco History Day celebrates the past, present, and future of Frisco with a picnic in the park, and will feature free Town tours led by Museum staff. This full day of historic family funs also will feature burro rides, an old-time photo booth, gold panning, an arts and craft tent, touchable artifacts, and live music.

When: Saturday, July 9, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Cost: Free

The Mines of Mount Royal Bike Tour

This beginner-friendly historic bike ride goes around Mount Royal and through the Tenmile Canyon, exploring the mines that once operated here. Museum staff will present content centered on Frisco mining history, the natural environment, and the railroads of the area. The route is just over 5 miles round-trip with plenty of water breaks and scenic views making it a fun morning for the whole family.

This guided bike tour will begin and end at the Schoolhouse Museum. This tour is limited to ten individuals and advance registration and payment are required. This tour is BYOB – bring your own bike. Helmets are required. The Town of Frisco does not rent bikes, instead participants can rent bikes from Rebel Sports, Pioneer Sports, Podium Sports, and Christy Sports.

When: Wednesdays, July 13, July 27, August 10, and September 7, 2022

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13 and up) – $20
Children (Ages 4-12) – $5
Children under four are free
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets

Trails to History Tour

New for 2022, the Museum is offering a limited number of Trails to History Hikes for adventurous historians. The Trails to History tour takes participants around the Peninsula Recreation Area (PRA) with trained Museum staff to learn more about Frisco’s history, and the environment with stories, images, and activities. This tour is a cross between our traditional walking tour and our more adventurous hike up Mount Royal. You can expect multiple stops and plenty of picturesque Rocky Mountain views on this hour-long hike. This tour is limited to ten individuals, and pre-registration is required.

When: Friday, June 24 and Friday, August 26, 2022 from noon to 1:00 pm

Cost:

Adults (Ages 13+)- $10
Children (Ages 4-12) – $5
Children under four are free
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets

2022 Frisco Historic Park & Museum Lecture Series

The Summer Lunchtime Lecture Series will take place on Wednesdays, June 15 – August 24, 2022 at 12:00pm at various locations in Frisco. Learn about the rich history of Frisco and surrounding areas in Colorado with a Q&A after each lecture. Lectures are free to attend and will present topics like Chicano Art, the natural environment, Native American music and history, as they relate to Frisco and the surrounding area.

Schedule:

Wednesday, June 22, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

The Chicano Movement & Art, Ricardo LaFore

Ricardo Lafore, a member of the Chicano Movement Advisory Committee for History Colorado and 2003 Caesar Chavez Leadership Award recipient will discuss the Chicano movement and the art it inspired through sharing stories from his own experience as a longtime activist. Coffee and cookies will be provided on the Historic Park lawn after the talk.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Log Chapel

How Trinidad, Colorado Became an Unlikely Gender Crossroads, Martin J. Smith

Author and award winning journalist, Martin J. Smith will discuss his 2021 non-fiction book “Going to Trinidad: A Doctor, a Colorado Town and Stories from an Unlikely Gender Crossroads” which explores a small Colorado town’s transgender history.

Wednesday, July 6, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Seasons of the Nuche; Tales of the Ute People, Nina Gabianelli and Skyler Lomahaftewa

Storytelling has been used in every culture as a means of entertainment, education and cultural preservation. Nina Gabianelli from the Aspen Historical Society and Skyler Lomahaftewa, a Northern Ute tribal member, will present both the history of the native people and the modern day Ute experience.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Adventure Park Day Lodge

Hike & Learn, Frisco Historic Park & Museum Staff

Participants are invited to get their history with a side of the great outdoors! Hike & Learns take participants around the Peninsula Recreation Area with Museum staff to soak up some nature and learn more about Frisco’s history and the environment. Registration is required as space is limited. Call the Museum at 970-668-3428 to reserve your spot.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022: 1:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Afternoon performance by musicians from the National Repertory Orchestra

Wednesday, July 20, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Native American Storytelling, Leon Joseph Littlebird

Sharing stories that weave the lives and talents of the earliest inhabitants of Colorado into fascinating series of “how music was discovered”, Leon Joseph Littlebird will perform examples using ancient instruments of how music came to be an integral part of life in the tribes from the mountains to plains and the Southwest. Coffee and cookies will be provided on the Historic Park lawn after the talk.

Wednesday, July 27, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Log Chapel

Hauling Ass: Running with Burros, Brad and Amber Wann

Pack Burro Racing is the only sport native to Colorado. Participants will learn about the history of one of the highest altitude races in the world, as well as the stories of racing legends. Attendees are invited to discover why people are drawn to this crazy sport, and meet a burro!

Wednesday, August 3, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Log Chapel

Homesteading in Summit County, Sally Queen and 2:00 pm Bill’s Ranch Historic Walk

Sally Queen from Summit Historical Society will share an interactive map on the 300+ homesteads and a selection of stories about the pioneers that settled the land in the area. From mining to ranching, see how land use changed over time. Coffee and cookies will be provided on the Historic Park lawn after the talk.

Following the talk, Museum Manager, Rose Gorrell will lead a guided historic walk through the Bills Ranch Neighborhood, originally the Thomas Family Homestead. Registration for this tour is required at SummitHistorical.org. Reserve early, space is limited to 12 people.

Wednesday, August 10. 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Historic Park Log Chapel

Droughts, Doubts, Respect, and Rejoicing: A History of Colorado Water, Matthew Makley

The Colorado River supports 40 million people in seven different states. Reservoirs on its main stem are lower than they have been since they were created. Matthew Makley will talk about what history can teach us about the long human relationship with the river and water in the region.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022: 12:00 pm

Location: Adventure Park Day Lodge

Hike & Learn, Frisco Historic Park & Museum Staff

Participants are invited to tet their history with a side of the great outdoors! Hike & Learns take participants around the Peninsula Recreation Area with Museum staff to soak up some nature and learn more about Frisco’s history and the environment. Registration is required as space is limited. Call the Museum at 970-668-3428 to reserve your spot.

Wednesday, August 24, 2022: 12:00

Location: Historic Park Log Chapel

History of Masontown, Blair Miller

Masontown was a mining camp, located one mile up Mount Royal that grew to work the Victoria Lode. Historian and author of Masontown: Frisco’s Victoria Mine and Ghost Town, Blair Miller, will discuss the rise and fall of one of Frisco’s most infamous mining camps and today’s popular hiking destination. Coffee and cookies will be provided on the Historic Park lawn after the lecture.

More information about the Frisco Historic Park & Museum, or any of the above programs may be found by visiting FriscoHistoricPark.com or by emailing Rose Gorrell, Frisco Historic Park & Museum manager.