Hayden Heritage Center​
Museum & Leslie Memorial Research Library
300 W. Pearl Street in the Old Depot
P.O. Box 543, Hayden Co 81639
(970)276-4380
haydenmuseum@zirkel.us
Welcome to the Hayden Heritage Center!
Located in the historic Moffat Railroad Depot Building since 1972, the Museum (established in 1964) has exhibits on local area history from cowboying and homesteading to coal mining and ranching. Experience the authenticity of the homesteaders and the lives they carved out in this rugged corner of Northwest Colorado.
The Museum is home to the Leslie Memorial Research Library, a fantastic resource for research whether it is subject based or genealogical. We have numerous books on local and regional history, as well as various subjects including Railroad, Quarter Horse Collection, out of print books, unpublished manuscripts, family files as well as subject catalogue files and more! You can also access the Museum collection database and look at the Museums wonderful collection of photos at one of the two public computer stations (with internet access) in the research library, which is located conveniently on the first floor.
The Museum has a gift shop with books on local, regional and Colorado history, children's books and toys, as well as unique gifts!
2026 Museum Events
Heading 5
Museum starts summer hours Memorial Day Weekend. Open all summer Tuesday thru Saturdays!
April 28th- The Museum will be closing early at 2 pm - Sorry for any inconvenience!
April 30th- Volunteer Opportunity
Cleanup at the Mt Harris Memorial 10 am- 11 am. Meet at the Memorial on Hwy 40- pull weeds, weed whack , repair wooden fence, pick up trash. Wear gloves, sunscreen, hat. Canceled due to the road construction!!!!
May 20th-Volunteer Opportunity
Day of Caring with United Way of Yampa Valley. Spring Cleanup at the Museum 9-11:30 to sign up thru United Way and more details: https://unitedwayoftheyampavalley.org/day-of-caring/
June 14- Event
Talk & Walk. Coal Mining Around Mt Harris.
10 am Talk given by Kirk Zabel at the Historic Granary
Followed by a walk at the former Mt Harris Townsite w/ Museum Curator Laurel Watson. More info
Free Event -Donations Appreciated
June 18- Opening late-12 pm . School group in the morning
June 30 closing at 4 pm to attend Dan Davidsons retirement party at the Museum of Northwest Co
July 4- Closed for the Holiday!!
July 14- Opening late- 12 pm- School group in the morning
July 29- Opening late 12 pm- School group in the morning
Museum News
Hayden Museum awarded grants to rehabilitate the historic Depot Building!
The Museum is excited to announce it has been awarded a State Historic Fund Grant and a Routt County Museum and Heritage Fund grant to complete work on the Historic Depot Building that was built in 1918! These monies along with a partnership with the Town of Hayden and monies from Museum members and donors will enable us to stabilize the buildings first floor, update and expand the Museums electric and update the aging heating system.
Newspaper Digitalization Project
Thank you to the new editor of the Steamboat Pilot, Nicole Miller and Swift Enterprises for giving the Museum permission to digitalize our local historic newspapers: The Routt Co Republican (1922-1954); The NW Colorado Press (1954); and the Hayden Valley Press (1965-2008). The preservation of these local newspapers is a wonderful asset to the community and the local historical record! The Museum will be fundraising and looking for grants to help get these digitalized thru the Colorado State Archives and so they can be available to the public for free on the Colorado Historic Newspaper site at www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org.
Our events , programs and continued operations are due to the support of the Routt County Museum and Heritage Fund mill levy, the Town of Hayden, our Individual Members, Donors and Corporate/Business Sponsors!!
We Give a heartfelt "Thank You!" for your continued support!!!!
2023/24 Members & Donors
Anonymous
Armstrong, C.
Ashbaugh, C.
Barnes, B. & BJ
Barnes C.
Bonnifield, P & E.
Borg, M.
Butruille, S.
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Copeland, K. & E.
Corbin, F.
Crawford, J.
Cusick, R.
Davis, J.
Dawson, L.
Dayhoff, Judith
Doolin, B.
Duran, R.
Dworsky, S.
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Erickson, M.
Erwin- Nicks, C.
Faucett, D. & K.
Frentress, G.
Friederich Family
Frink, M.
Gibbons, E.
Gilroy, K.
Green, J.
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Hannegan, B.
Hendy, C.
Hockett, D. & J.
Holly, D.
Howe, P.
Jost, T.& S.
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Kennedy, C.
Kuchler, E.
Kuchler, P.
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Lager, B. & D.
Lash, Ana & Shawn Field
Ledford, A.
Leslie, N.
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Mackey, A.
Mendisco, M. & H.
Merrill, J.& N.
Mladinich, C.
Monger, D. & L.
Moon, C.
Montgomery, A.
Mucklow, CJ & N.
Murphy, M.
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Paxton, Ana Del
Peckham, Nancy
Reed, S.
Romberg, B.
Rutherford, L.
Sanford, T. & R.
Semotan, J.
Shreeve, M.
Sikes, R.
Smith, M.
Sundberg, J. & B.
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Thormand, A.
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Valora, S.
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Watson, L. & B.
Wattles, T. & R.
Wickenden, D.
Wilkinson, R. & D.
Winn, G.
