As the holiday season approaches, the Rio Grande County Museum would like to invite the people of the area to come and enjoy the Museum.  Christmas trees of various ethnicities are shown from the Gift Shop and into the exhibits.

One tree that is interesting is decorated with ornaments collected by Steve Nicolais as he worked in Russia for an oil company.  His collection includes hand carved and painted Russian Santas, nutcracker nesting dolls and the tree ornaments.  These were particularly interesting to him as they are excellent examples of the handicrafts cottage industries throughout Russia.  The Santa figures are made for the tourists and are the Russian interpretation of the western world’s Santa Claus.  The Christmas tree skirt with this tree was crocheted by Judy Nicolais.

The figure that Nicolais says is his favorite is the beautifully carved “Ded Moroz” which translate to “Grandfather Frost” in English, but is usually called by “Father Frost.”  He delivers gifts on New Year’s Eve rather than Christmas because of the Soviet policies.  

Other trees in the Museum are a silver and blue American style, native peoples’, Hispanic, German and Swedish.  These trees are placed with exhibits in the main exhibit that show these ethnic groups in the main exhibit room.  One tree features lace snow flakes and delicate ribbons birds and these decorations are for sale with the proceeds going to the newspaper sleeves fund. This tree along with items in the gift shop are available and would make excellent gifts.

Rio Grande County Museum, located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information please call (719)657-2847 or contact us on Facebook.
 

​November 11th, 2018,  marked the 100th anniversary of the ending of the “Great War”.  Now called “Veterans’ Day” to honor all veterans, this day was originally called “Armistice Day”.  The Germans realized that they had no chance of winning the war and asked the Allied Powers for an armistice or agreement to stop the fighting. This was signed on the 11th day, of the 11th month at 11:00 a.m.  The Treaty of Versailles was signed the following June.

Rio Grande County had many of their young men and women serve in this war in various capacities.  So that they are not forgotten, Rio Grande County honors them this holiday season with three memorial trees decorated with the names of those who served.  The staff's research has found community members who have not been listed before.  One of these brave young men was Frank Chavez, Jr. who died in France.  He was found while during research in the San Juan Prospector.  This is an ongoing project and more names may be found.

The stories of these men as being compiled through resource being done by the museum staff and will be placed into notebooks to become part of the permanent collections at the Museum. If anyone has a story of a World War I veteran to be shared, please contact the Museum.
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The exhibit of “WWI: On the Home Front” is also featured through November and December.

For more information, please contact the Rio Grande County Museum at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte or call at (719)657-2847.  Facebook can also be used to contact the Museum and remember to like us on Facebook to stay in contact with the Museum happenings.  Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to read the Rio Grande County Museum's newsletter for November/December 2018.
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The Rio Grande County Board Members invite the public to the inaugural “Gateway to the Holidays” event to kick-off the upcoming holiday season.  As Del Norte is known as the “Gateway to the San Juans”, it seems appropriate to recognize and celebrate that distinction.  

Saturday, November 17th, 2018, 7 p.m.

580 Oak, Del Norte, CO -- Join us for an evening of ethnic holiday goodies, music provided by local artists, and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase some unique holiday items from the Museum gift shop. The Museum will be decorated with ethnic Christmas decorations, and there will be fun for all.  Free admission. ​