Elbert County Historical Society & Museum

Background Statement

The Elbert County Historical Society evolved from an early "Pioneer's Picnic" in June of 1956, and before the end of the day the group had decided to organize a county historical society and elect a board of directors. Their original vision of preserving the history of Elbert County through photographs and artifacts took shape in the years to follow as collected items were stored in barns and garages across the county, waiting until a museum could be established.

In 1991 the Society acquired the original Kiowa High School building and work began to transform the unique 1921 Spanish-Colonial style schoolhouse into a county museum. A grant made possible through the Colorado Endowment for the Humanities funded the first permanent exhibit "Window to the Past, Door to the Future", which was unveiled in June 1993 during the official opening ceremonies of the Elbert County Museum. That same year, the Society received an Award of Recognition from the Denver Posse of Westerners for our efforts to preserve western history through the new exhibit. The museum building was designated an Elbert County Landmark in 2000.

Today, more than 65 years later, the resolve of the Elbert County Historical Society remains intact and centered on preserving the county's history for future generations.