Luther Bean Museum
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Local and regional history, art, and artifacts
Adams State University Luther Bean Museum Richardson Hall #2-600 208 Edgemont Blvd Alamosa, CO 81102 Contact: 719-587-7151 Email Us: asulutherbean@adams.edu Hours/Admission: Sept - mid-May: Mon - Fri - 1-5 pm mid-May - mid-Aug: Mon-Fri - 1:30-4:30pm Admission free - donations welcome Website - www.adams.edu/lutherbean |
An eclectic collection of Southwest and European art, artifacts, and local arts and history unfolds to the visitor at Adam State College's Luther Bean Museum. Tucked away on campus, on the second floor of historic Richardson Hall, the museum features a stunning collection of Native American and Hispano Southwest arts, paintings and bronzes by nationally and regionally known artists, and European decorative arts.
Adams State College (now Adams State University), was founded in 1921 by the Colorado General Assembly, opened June 15, 1925 and named for long-time San Luis Valley resident, William "Billy" Adams, former state senator and three-term governor of Colorado.
Richardson Hall (built in 3 stage between 1924-39), houses the Luther Bean Museum, was the first building on the campus of Adams State College. The museum was the college’s first library from 1930 – 1954. The space was later used as a theatre-in-the-round during the late 60’s through the early 70’s. In 1975 the space was dedicated as a museum in the memory of Dr. Luther Bean. Display cases throughout the museum feature collections such as our vintage hats, Native American pottery, mule saddle, horse hair ropes and other farming tools.
Dr. Bean was one of the college’s first faculty (1925 – 1952), director for the Education Department, director of the San Luis Arts and Crafts School, founder of the college's first club – the Outing Club, among other accolades.
Art enthusiasts will marvel at the pottery by Maria "Marie" Martinez, Navajo and Rio Grande weavings by artists such as San Luis Valley native Eppie Archuleta, and the santos and retablos on display in this intimate museum. Acoma and Santo Domingo Pueblo pottery is also very well represented.
The Luther Bean Museum features the only known display of memorabilia of the former Colorado Governor and ASC’s founder William H. "Billy" Adams including his governor’s chair, family photos of his life in Alamosa, a collection of books from his private library and his desk.
In addition to works by renown artists Woody Crumbo, Bill Moyers, and Allan Houser, a collection of paintings by Stephen Quiller rounds out the museum's holdings in American art.
Long-time friends of the college, Mr. Charles and Mrs. Beryl Woodard donated antique furniture, porcelain figurines, Havelin china, and ivory and sandstone figurines collected from around the world.
Adams State College (now Adams State University), was founded in 1921 by the Colorado General Assembly, opened June 15, 1925 and named for long-time San Luis Valley resident, William "Billy" Adams, former state senator and three-term governor of Colorado.
Richardson Hall (built in 3 stage between 1924-39), houses the Luther Bean Museum, was the first building on the campus of Adams State College. The museum was the college’s first library from 1930 – 1954. The space was later used as a theatre-in-the-round during the late 60’s through the early 70’s. In 1975 the space was dedicated as a museum in the memory of Dr. Luther Bean. Display cases throughout the museum feature collections such as our vintage hats, Native American pottery, mule saddle, horse hair ropes and other farming tools.
Dr. Bean was one of the college’s first faculty (1925 – 1952), director for the Education Department, director of the San Luis Arts and Crafts School, founder of the college's first club – the Outing Club, among other accolades.
Art enthusiasts will marvel at the pottery by Maria "Marie" Martinez, Navajo and Rio Grande weavings by artists such as San Luis Valley native Eppie Archuleta, and the santos and retablos on display in this intimate museum. Acoma and Santo Domingo Pueblo pottery is also very well represented.
The Luther Bean Museum features the only known display of memorabilia of the former Colorado Governor and ASC’s founder William H. "Billy" Adams including his governor’s chair, family photos of his life in Alamosa, a collection of books from his private library and his desk.
In addition to works by renown artists Woody Crumbo, Bill Moyers, and Allan Houser, a collection of paintings by Stephen Quiller rounds out the museum's holdings in American art.
Long-time friends of the college, Mr. Charles and Mrs. Beryl Woodard donated antique furniture, porcelain figurines, Havelin china, and ivory and sandstone figurines collected from around the world.
