Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is a living history museum (sometimes called an open-air museum) and farm located at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. Staff and volunteers dressed in period-appropriate attire interpret life in the Pikes Peak region from 1775 through 1910.[2] Rock Ledge Ranch is home to six historic sites: an American Indian Area interpreting indigenous life from 1775 through 1835; an 1860s homestead cabin; an 1880s homestead garden; the 1874 Rock Ledge House; an 1890s blacksmith shop; and a 1907 Edwardian Country Estate. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1][3]

Chambers Ranch
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is located in Colorado
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is located in the United States
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Location3105 Gateway Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38°52′38.61″N 104°52′17.08″W
Area226 acres (0.91 km2)
Built1875
ArchitectRobert Chambers, Thomas MacLaren
Architectural styleMission/Spanish Revival, Other, Western Stick
Websitehttp://rockledgeranch.com
NRHP reference No.79000599[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 29, 1979

Museum

Museum guides, each wearing clothing specific to the time period and type of residence, explain and demonstrate activities of daily life of those who lived in the region. Visitors see and participate to learn how people from different time periods lived during the eras: clothing, meal prep and cooking, cleaning, laundry, mowing, games and entertainment, and how they made their living.[4]

There is a working 19th Century blacksmith shop, barn, horses, and chickens. Sheep and a cow graze around the farm. At one time, peacocks were resident. The historical interpreters demonstrate daily living skills, and encourage visitors to participate. The museum hosts over 100,000 people on an annual basis.[4]

Because of the City of Colorado Spring's economic difficulties in 2009, its funding and continued existence was threatened [5] however an aggressive fundraising campaign has generated huge public support as well as additional opportunities to experience this setting due to themed special events such as Fiddles, Vittles, and Vino and a Shakespeare festival.[6]

In 2023, the cost of admissions was USD$8 for adults, USD$4 for ages 3 to 17.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Official website
  3. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site from Frommer's
  4. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
  5. LETTERS: Wednesday from The Gazette
  6. Rock Ledge Ranch 2010 Calendar of Events from its official website
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