Frisco Historic Park & Museum Announces a Full Schedule of Summer Historic Programs & Events

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum is presenting a full schedule of summer events, including the return of the popular lecture series, historic walking tours and hikes, and Frisco History Day in July. Plus, events that the whole family will enjoy, including two series: Pop-up in the Park and Park After Dark.

“The Museum is looking forward to another eventful summer with the return of solar astronomy with AstroMark and guided bird watching hikes . Plus, a community favorite, the summer lecture series, will be joined by a Night at the Museum with Joe Kramarsic, who is launching his new book, High Above Frisco: A History of the Naming, Importance, and Climbing of Frisco’s Scenic Mountains,” stated Museum Manager Blair Miller.

Historic Tours

Masontown Historic Hiking Tours

Museum staff will lead hikes up Mount Royal to the old Masontown mining site and will share Frisco’s mining history, information on the natural environment, and the story 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.

These guided hiking tours will begin and end at the Frisco Schoolhouse Museum. This tour is limited to 10 people and advance registration and payment are required.

When:

Fridays on June 20, July 18, August 8, and August 29, 2025 at 9:00am

Cost:

Adults (Ages 18 and up) – $20
Children (Ages 5-17) – $10
Children four and under are free but require a ticket.
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets.

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

The Mines of Mount Royal Bike Tours

These beginner-friendly historic bike tours go around the base of Mount Royal and through the Tenmile Canyon, exploring the mines that once operated here. Museum staff will present content centered on Frisco’s mining history, the natural environment, and the railroads of the area. The route is just over five miles round-trip on paved roads and recreation paths and includes plenty of water breaks and scenic views, making it a fun morning for the whole family.

These guided bike tours will begin and end at the Schoolhouse Museum. This tour is limited to 10 people and advance registration and payment are required. This tour is BYOB – bring your own bike, and helmets are required. The Town of Frisco does not rent bikes, instead participants can rent bikes from area bike shops, including Rebel Sports, Pioneer Sports, Podium Sports, and Christy Sports.

When:

Fridays on June 27, July 25, August 15, and September 12, 2025 at 9:00am

Cost:

Adults (Ages 18 and up) – $20
Children (Ages 5-17) – $10
Children four under are free but require a ticket.
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets.

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

Hike & Learn

Participants are invited to explore the Peninsula Recreation Area (PRA), while soaking in the outdoors and as museum staff share Frisco’s history. This hike focuses on the history of the area, including the Ute Peoples, Colorado’s longest inhabitants; and local plants and animals, plus the more recent history of the PRA, which includes stories about the unique trail names. Theses tours are a cross between a traditional walking tour and a more adventurous hike. You can expect multiple water breaks and plenty of picturesque Rocky Mountain views during this hour-long hike.

These guided hiking tours will begin and end at the Peninsula Recreation Area Trailhead parking lot, formerly known as the Dickey Day Use Trailhead. These tours are limited to 10 people and advance registration and payment are required.

When:

Fridays on July 11, August 1, and August 22, 2025 at 10:00am

Cost:

Adults (Ages 18 and up) – $10
Children (Ages 5-17) – $5
Children four and under are free but require a ticket.
There is a $5.00 cancellation fee for adult tickets.

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

Historic Town 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. These hour-long tours begin at the Schoolhouse Museum, wind along Main Street, and end at the historic Lund House at the Frisco Bay Marina. This walking tour is limited to 10 people and advance registration is required.

When:

Saturdays and Sundays starting June 1 through August 24 at 11:00am, excluding June 7, June 21, June 29, July 5, and August 10, 2025

Cost:

Adults (Ages 18 and up) $10
Children (Ages 5-17) $5
Children four and under are free but require a ticket

Tours may be booked online at FriscoHistoricPark.com in the event section.

If you have a larger party, or if you would prefer to book a private tour, please call 970-668-3428 or email Museum@townoffrisco.com.

Historic Programs & Events

Pop-Up in the Park: Bird Watching Hike to Rainbow Lake

Join museum staff and the U.S. Forest Service for a bird watching hike to Rainbow Lake on May 15, 2025. Meet at the Historic Park Gazebo at 8:00am for a quick lesson on Summit County birds and then head out to Rainbow Lake with your trail guide, Rita Frederick. This hike will also touch on the impact of nighttime lighting on bird migration.

The Rainbow Lake Trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back hike with 150 feet of elevation gain. Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle, hat, and sunscreen, as well as binoculars, if you have them. Pets are not allowed on this tour.

When:

Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 8:00am

Cost:

$10 – Call the Museum at 970-668-3428 to register. Space is limited to 10 people, and the museum will be unable to accommodate walk-ups.

Pop-Up in the Park: Bird Watching Hike to Rainbow Lake

Join museum staff and the U.S. Forest Service for a bird watching hike to Rainbow Lake on May 30, 2025. Meet at the Historic Park Gazebo at 7:00am for a quick lesson on Summit County birds, then head out to Rainbow Lake with your trail guide, Rita Frederick. This hike will also touch on the impact of nighttime lighting on bird migration.

When:

Friday, May 30, 2025 at 7:00am

Cost:

$10 – Call the Museum at 970-668-3428 to register. Space is limited to 10 people, and the museum will be unable to accommodate walk-ups.

Pop-Up in the Park: Worldwide Knit in Public Day

To celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day, the Frisco Historic Park and Museum will be hosting an outdoor fiber art gathering at the Historic Park Gazebo. Bring your favorite project and a blanket or chair for a relaxing afternoon. In honor of Father’s Day on June 15, a father-kid activity will take place from 1:00pm to 3:00pm where participants will make paracord bracelets. All types of fiber art and experience levels are welcome.

When:

Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 11:00am to 3:00pm

Cost:

Free – No registration required

Pop-Up in the Park: Astronomy- The Summer Solstice

Join museum staff and AstroMark for a free daytime astronomy pop-up event in the Historic Park on June 21, 2025. AstroMark will have his telescopes on site so we can safely observe the sun and learn about Summit County’s bright sunny skies. 2025 is the peak of the current solar cycle, meaning there is increased solar activity to be seen. This event is part of Frisco’s DarkSky programing.

When:

Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm

Cost:

Free – no registration required

Pop-Up in the Park: Birds of Prey

The Raptor Education Foundation will be in the Historic Park Gazebo from 12:0 pm to 3:00pm on June 29, 2025. Meet Anne Price, one of the few women master falconers in the world, as well as some of their impressive birds. There will be mini presentations about these animals throughout the day, with plenty of time to ask questions and take photos of these incredible creatures. Pets are not permitted at this event.

When:

Sunday, June 29, 2025 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm

Cost:

Free – no registration required

Frisco History Day

Frisco History Day, sponsored by Copper Mountain and Climax Molybdenum, celebrates the past, present, and future of Frisco with a full day of family-friendly activities, music, and more! Participants are invited to enjoy free burro rides, yoga, facepainting, gold panning, Colorado Wildlife with Nature’s Educators, woodworking demonstrations, line dancing, touchable artifacts, live music with Mud Season Band and The O’Connor Brothers, and more.

When:

Saturday, July 5, 2025 from 10:00am to 6:00pm

Cost:

Free- no registration required

Night at the Museum

Participants are invited to join museum staff and Joseph Kramarsic, local author and historian, to celebrate the launch of his new book High Above Frisco: A History of the Naming, Importance, and Climbing of Frisco’s Scenic Mountains. There will be a cash bar, which will benefit Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, and author Joe Kramarsic will provide a talk about his book. An outdoor reception on the Historic Park awn will take place immediately following the talk, which includes live music from Moonstone Quill and free food.

The Frisco Historic Park and Museum will be selling copies of the book onsite.

When:

Friday, August 8, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm

Cost:

Free – no registration required

Park After Dark: Astronomy

Join museum staff and AstroMark for a free New Moon guided tour on August 12, 2025 at the Historic Park Gazebo. AstroMark will be setting up free telescopes, to observe Perseids Meteor Shower. Four 40-minute stargazing guided tours will take place at 9:00pm, 9:15pm, 10:00pm, and 10:15pm. To reserve your spot on one of the four free guided tours, call the Frisco Historic Park and Museum at 970-669-3428. This event is part of Frisco’s DarkSky programing. This event is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

When:Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 9:00pm to 11:00pm

Cost:

Free- sign up information available at FriscoHistoricPark.com

Pop-Up in the Park: Poetry in the Park

The Frisco Historic Park and Museum and Summit County Libraries are excited to present Poetry in the Park as part of the pop-up series. The Hakuists will set up vintage typewriters and be available to create personal haikus on the spot with community members. Summit County Libraries will have a table of poetry books available to check out. Don’t have a library card? They can sign you up there as well!

When:

Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm

Cost:

Free – no registration is required

Park After Dark: Silent Disco

When the Old Town Hall first opened, the celebration in its honor made the newspaper’s front page the next morning. During its lifetime, the Old Town Hall would continue to hold many dances for the local community. On Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Frisco Historic Park, community members are invited to celebrate the official end of summer, welcome fall to Frisco, and give a nod to the dances of the past with a modern-day dance, a silent disco. There will be a DJ providing multiple channels to choose between, on wireless headphones, and Building Hope will be serving mocktails, next to a free pop-up temporary, water-based tattoo booth.

When:

Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 6:30pm

Cost:

Free – No registration is required

2025 Frisco Historic Park & Museum Free Summer Lecture Series

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum Free Summer Lecture Series will take place on Wednesdays from June 18 – August 20, 2025 at 12:00pm at various locations in Frisco. Participants are invited to learn about the rich history of Frisco and surrounding areas in Colorado with a question and answer period after each lecture. Lectures are free to attend and will present topics around Colorado’s mining history, Native American history, burro pack racing, National Repertory Orchestra, and more as they relate to Frisco and the surrounding area. Doors open at 11:45 am, seating is limited, and attendees are asked to leave pets and any food at home.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025: 12:00pm

Early Mountaineering in Summit County presented by Stan Moore

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Colorado’s mountains have exerted strong pull and fascinated folks for centuries, and people have scaled their heights for many reasons. Moore will look at both recent and past events and stories around exploration, climbing, and peaks in northern Colorado. Attendees will share a glimpse at the region’s rich outdoor history.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025: 12:00pm

Backyard Garden Judo presented by Dan Schroder from CSU Extension

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Have you wondered what will grow and what will not when it comes to native and ornamental plantings in your yard? Being open to an “it depends” perspective may be your gardening superpower. At 9,000 feet and higher, choosing the right plant for the right place is the opportunity to find out. Join Dan Schroder, Summit County CSU Extension Agent, for a home horticulture conversation.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025: 12:00pm

Stories of the Mountain Man Trapper presented by Angel Vigil, History Colorado

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

The Mountain Man is cloaked in myth and mystery. Living the rugged life of the free trapper he roamed the wild Rocky Mountains in search of a highly desired pelt – the beaver. His tales of isolation, danger and adventure, set amidst the stark beauty of the Rocky Mountains, tell the story of an epic life that disappeared too quickly never to come again. His is life is central to the mythos of the American frontier. Attendees are invited to come and listen to his story.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025: 12:00pm

Seasons of the Nuche, Presented by Presented by Nina Gabianelli and Skyler Lomahaftewa, Aspen Historical Society

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

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. Nina and Skyler are summer lecture series regulars with an entertaining and educational style ideal for the whole family.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025: 12:00pm

Remembering Ludlow but Forgetting the Columbine: The 1927-1928 Colorado Coal Strike presented by Leigh Campbell-Hale, Lafayette History Museum

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

Attendees are invited to join Leigh Campbell-Hale of Lafayette History Museum for a lecture titled Remembering Ludlow but Forgetting the Columbine, in which she will examine the causes, context, and legacies of the 1927 Columbine Massacre in relation to the history of labor organizing and coal mining in Colorado and the United States. While historians have written prolifically about the 1914 Ludlow Massacre, there has been a lack of attention to the violent event remembered now as the Columbine Massacre, in which police shot and killed six striking coal miners and wounded sixty more protestors during the 1927–1928 Colorado coal strike, even though its aftermath exerted far more influence upon subsequent national labor policies.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025: 1:00pm

National Repertory Orchestra from Breckenridge, Colorado

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) musicians will share how they became musicians, why they chose to play their instrument, who inspires them and why, and what their goals are in the world of music. The National Repertory Orchestra provides a unique opportunity for young, talented musicians to gather invaluable experience playing a broad variety of orchestral and chamber music. The NRO is led by Music Director Michael Stern and joined by world-renowned guest conductors throughout the summer. Attendees are encouraged to bring their camp chairs for lawn seating, as space in the Gazebo will be limited.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025: 12:00pm

The Woolly West presented by Dr. Andrew Gulliford, Fort Lewis College

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

The sheep industry is an integral part of the history of the American West that continues to play a part in ranching even in the present day. From the politics of immigrant labor, the challenges of ecological change, the conflicts between the sheep and cattle industries, and so much more, there are many stories to be explored. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear all about the history of “sheepscapes” in Colorado from Professor Andrew Gulliford of Fort Lewis College.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025: 12:00pm

Haulin’ Ass: Running with the Burros presented by Brad and Amber Wann, ReDONKulous Ranch Sanctuary & Rescue

Location: Historic Park Gazebo

Pack burro racing is the only sport that is 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 13, 2025: 12:00pm

Have Skis, Will Travel: Immigrants in the 10th Mountain Division presented by Flint Whitlock, Colorado Snowsports Museum

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

During World War II, an experimental unit of 14,000 skiers, mountaineers, and mule-skinners trained in the Colorado Rockies under the tutelage of some of the finest winter-sport athletes from Europe. Come learn how these immigrants helped the 10^th Mountain Division achieve a brilliant combat record and then, after the war, helped to develop ski areas, such as Vail, Aspen, A-Basin, and dozens more, sparking the American skiing boom. On August 13, Flint Whitlock, award-winning author and son of a 10^th Mountain Division veteran, will present the largely unknown story of this amazing group.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025: 12:00pm

Soiled Doves: The Working Women of Colorado’s Boom Days presented by Julie Blanda, History Colorado

Location: The Old Frisco Community Center at 110 3rd Avenue in Frisco

Attendees are invited to learn about the women of the Wild West during the years of the gold and silver rushes in Colorado and about who these women were who provided a certain companionship to the miners and other men who came here seeking their fortunes. From their day to day lives to their influence, the importance of these women and their rightful place in Colorado’s history will be discussed.

Frisco Historic Park and Museum Information

The Frisco Historic Park & Museum provides the opportunity to experience history in an up-close and personal way right on Frisco’s Main Street. The Museum’s collection of original historic buildings, including the Schoolhouse Museum, contains artifacts, exhibits, and photographs that tell the lively stories of Frisco’s past and reflect the philosophy of embracing history while also connecting it to our lives today.

The Historic Park is open from 10:00am-5:00pm Tuesday – Sunday and is closed on Mondays. More information regarding the Museum may be found at FriscoHistoricPark.com.