Museum News
By Sue Evans-Olson

RECENT ACTIVITIES-- Paintbrushes, metal and leather cleaner, vacuum cleaners and dust rags have been used by our museum volunteers to clean up and restore our Westernaires Museum. Our museum "stars" put in 200 hours of work to restore damaged murals, oil our wonderful saddle collection, paint walls and exhibit panels and remove dust!

An estimated 400 new Tenderfeet and their families toured the museum in late September and many more Westernaires dropped in as well! Our newly trained tour guides shared information about the museum with our visitors.

EXHIBIT HISTORY - Exhibits at the museum include a carriage ridden in by Abraham Lincoln and featured in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show; a saddle collection from throughout the world; tack and horse equipment dating back to the time of the Spaniards in Colorado; exhibits on horse history and tack; the US Cavalry, Native Americans, cattlemen, branding tools and a wonderful barb wire collection.

The museum goes back to 1959 when groundbreaking for the Westernaire complex took place. The barn came from the estate of John Eastman, located in Wheat Ridge and was moved to Fort Westernaire. The collection grew as Westernaire founder and director, Mr. E.E. Wyland, located, donated or arranged for donations to the collection. The museum has focused upon the history of the horse and also reflects the history of Colorado.

MUSEUM STARS - The Museum Stars who have helped to restore the Westernaire Museum include: Hannah Brown, Tabitha Brown, Paul Croft, Matt Carlson, Cameron Hasp, Megan Hemming, Tim Hemming, Adam Keyser, Shawn Larson, Jeremy Lindsay, Renee Jakaitas, Maryann Mueller, Polly Olson, Gary Olson, Savannah Redfort, Cortney Rommel, George Schreiner, Tracy Seiler, Melissa Seiler, Jan Sheldon, Christina Sheldon, Michael Smith and Kim Stanton.

HOW TO HELP - You too can become a "Museum Star" and help with the exhibits, collections, maintenance or tour guide. No experience is necessary, we will train you. To sign up for the Museum and Public Speaking class, see either the Museum or Mary Moore. To sign up to help at the Museum, call Sue Olson at 421-5618.

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT HELP

• Vacuum cleaner
• Frames of all sizes
• Lights – track lighting and ceiling light covers
• Cases
• Solid color material (large pieces) for display
• Tape recorder and tapes
• Cleaning supplies
• Mannequins
• Dust rags
• Paint
• Scrapbooks

HOURS - The Museum will continue to undergo restoration, but we are open for visits on Saturdays between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and whenever you see the "Museum Open" sign. Arrangements for tours may be made by calling 303-279-3767 or Sue Olson at 421-5618.