“Historic preservation is first and foremost about people — our heritage, community, and cultural identity.” — Unknown

May is Historic Preservation Month — a time dedicated to celebrating our history and heritage through historic places. Each May and year-round, local heritage organizations like the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Historic Routt County join together with Main Street Steamboat Springs, the city of Steamboat Springs and others to honor the special places that shape the character and authenticity of Routt County, and encourage historic preservation.

In 2026, National Historic Preservation Month focuses on celebrating places that tell the full American story with the theme of “All People Are Created Equal,” emphasizing the preservation of history’s role in our nation’s past, present and future. This theme also emphasizes how historic sites and heritage strengthen communities, bridge generations, and reflect diverse stories of our regions, state and nation. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, and Colorado’s 150^th anniversary of becoming a state.

Legacy Art & Heritage Exhibit

To kick off HPM, on May 1 for First Friday Artwalk, the Tread of Pioneers Museum invites the community to experience the stories of our agricultural heritage through art in a new exhibit, “Legacy: A Year with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust.” The exhibit features the work of local oil painter Chula Beauregard, who spent a full year traveling to ranches across Routt County as an artist-in-residence with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust.

The result is a multimedia exhibition that blends Beauregard’s paintings with the museum’s historic photographs and written narratives, offering visitors a layered portrait of ranch life and the land that sustains it. Museum leaders say collaborations like this exhibit help bring heritage to life in new ways, and the museum provides a unique space for art and heritage to join forces.

Moments that Made US Exhibit

This new exhibition at the Tread of Pioneers Museum from History Colorado opens at the popular “Museum After Dark” event on May 27 and explores the ideals at the heart of the Declaration of Independence through moments from our nation’s 250 years.

History Lives Here

The Tread of Pioneers Museum, the city and Historic Routt County are working with local historic property owners to place “History Lives Here!” signs around the city and county. “We hope to remind people that these historic places add tremendous value and authenticity to our community. Historic places are our past and our future,” said Candice Bannister, executive director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum.

“Historic structures and landscapes not only represent our history, they also foster community pride, promote heritage tourism, and reveal real social and economic benefits for today’s communities,” said Bannister. “Historic buildings are our community’s largest and most visible artifacts, no less deserving of care and preservation as the most treasured items in a museum’s collection. But we must remember, preserving history and historical properties is intentional, it is a choice, and it takes action. As a community, government leaders and policy makers, and individual property owners, we all must work together to save our heritage.”

The historic buildings on Lincoln Avenue, in Old Town, and throughout the county provide valuable context and connection to our past. While Steamboat Springs did not develop as a result of large mineral mining booms and does not boast the grand and ornate buildings of some other storied mountain towns like Aspen and Leadville, our built environment reveals our own intriguing and modest history that is worthy of celebration and preservation.

Steamboat’s heritage is what makes our town unique, competitive and memorable in the resort marketplace, and an extraordinary place to live and visit. Our irreplaceable heritage and historic resources are ultimately at risk without commitment from property owners to seek historical designation on the City of Steamboat Springs Register of Historic Places. Historic Preservation can be flexible and adaptive, and is not as restrictive as myths might suggest. If you are a historic property owner, help us protect important places and seek local historic designation.

In addition to social media campaigns with tools and information about historic preservation and historical building features, there are a variety of events and activities hosted by local historic preservation partners.

Historic Preservation Month Events Around the County:

• May 1 – First Friday Artwalk: The Tread of Pioneers Museum invites the community to experience those stories of our agricultural heritage through art in a new exhibit, “Legacy: A Year with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust,” featuring paintings by Chula Beauregard.
• May 1 – First Friday Art Walk: “Earthwoven” by Gwendolyn Hill at the Depot Art Center. Through sculpture and mixed media, Hill explores Native American resilience and renewal, inviting reflection and connection.
• May 27 – Museum After Dark event at the Tread of Pioneers Museum features the traveling exhibit, “Moments that Made US” celebrating the 250^th anniversary of American independence.
• May 28 – Bear Dance Ceremony & Dedication: Featuring sculptor Oreland Joe and Southern Ute dancers and singers, celebrating the new sculpture installation in Civic Plaza and honoring Indigenous heritage.

May is a special month to come together as a community, to share inspiring stories about places that spark joy and inspire wonder, and recognize our irreplaceable historic places and buildings that give our towns and country character and meaning.

“We do not choose between the past and the future; they are inseparable parts of the same river.” — Dr. Walter Havighurst