photos by Todd Newcomer

The stately sandstone building at 3065 West Second Ave. is befitting its contents: the history and traditions of Durango and Southwest Colorado. Formerly the Animas City School, the historic structure built in 1904 is now home to the Animas Museum. A trip to the museum is an education in early Western life, with a permanent exhibit on the turn-of-the-century classroom and the rustic Joy Cabin, built in the 1870s. The Animas Museum is currently undergoing a face lift, as a new roof is being reconstructed to match the original structure, which burned in 1919. To help fund the project, the "Raise the Roof" fund-raising campaign was started to generate donations. For more information or to help contribute to the fund, stop by the museum or give a call, at 259-2402.

A box full of antique glass bottles sits above the Animas Museum entrance. Kyle Flanegin, left, and his sister Lada work on an informational scavenger hunt downstairs at the Animas Museum. A steady stream of spring breakers kept the Animas Museum filled with Tuesday afternoon. Volunteer Henry Ninde begins to catalogue a tin full of family artifacts donated by the Franks family. Giselle Valdez wanders past a display case of historical memorabilia downstairs at the Animas Museum. The door handle of the Joy Cabin, built by blacksmith Charles B. Joy in the 1870s, remains dry on a wet Tuesday afternoon.