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.

 

In this week's issue...

January 25, 2024
Bagging it

State plastic bag ban is in full effect, but enforcement varies

January 26, 2024
Paper chase

The Sneer is back – and no we’re not talking about Billy Idol’s comeback tour.

January 11, 2024
High and dry

New state climate report projects continued warming, declining streamflows