Every week of the year someone cares enough to donate
memorabilia or historic buildings to support the mission of
the museum:
MMW Mission: To preserve historic western
memorabilia and buildings for the enjoyment
and education of visitors for generations to come.
Here is how you can donate:
Items accepted were made or produced prior to 1940 and
meet the requirements established by the board of
directors*. These are items that would usually sit in
someone's attic or basement and perhaps deteriorate due
to neglect. When we accept donations we offer a letter for
income tax deductions and we record any history known
about the item for our database and display documentation.
Historic Building Donations
Beginning in 2004, historic buildings have been donated to
the museum for restoration and preservation. Usually the
building was going to be destroyed as property was sold or
new developments were planned. For example, a lovely
church building no longer supported by the denomination
for which it was built, was sold to a local oral surgeon, Dr.
Craig Cayo. He had plans for a new clinic to be built on the
property. Cayo waited until he could find a home for the
church building... which was the MMW... AND he donated
$17, 500.00 for the cost of moving the church to the
museum grounds.
Donated buildings include the following:
- 1913 German Lutheran Church; moved from Park Avenue in Montrose.
- Diehl Carriage Works: 1895 Studebaker Wagon Dealership also containing a blacksmith
shop. Jack Dempsey, prize fighter trained and fought on the 2nd floor.
- 1882 Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Section House: one of the 1st buildings in Olathe, CO,
also contained the first post office.
- 1882 Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Depot, Montrose CO; used 1882-1885
- 1912 Fairview School Brick Teacherage; small brick house used for boarding the teacher
for the school; donated by the Faussone brothers
- Jutten School Bell Tower (w/bell); moved from Colona CO; built ca. 1889; placed on a
small building (early 1900's); donated by Verna Wissel which will be furnished as a one-
room school house
- 1909 House; possibly a Montgomery Wards "Kit Plan House"; moved from Hillcrest
Avenue in Montrose.
- 1933 Log Barn; dismantled and reconstructed at the MMW; donated by Mike English;
farm 1/2 mile from the MMW. (English also donated a 1909 Granary.)
- 1930's Log Cabin; built in Ramona CO between Ridgway and Ouray Colorado.
- Hotchkiss Cabin; ca 1890's; log home from ranch NW of Hotchkiss CO
- 1909 Granary; used to store grain on the property of the 1909 House; converted to a
Gun Shop with a false front
- 1886 Billy Creek Log Cabin; dismantled and reconstructed at the MMW; interpreted as
home of Lee Wung, early Montrose launderer; reported to be home of friends of famous
Marlow Brothers (story told in John Wayne movie: Sons of Katie Elder
- Lee Wung Laundry; log building dismantled and reconstructed at the MMW
- Frees, Osborne and Davis General Mercantile; dismantled and reconstructed at the MMW;
previously a horse barn north of Montrose
- 1880's Parlin Log Cabin; earthen roof; dismantled and reconstructed at the MMW
- All items must meet the approval of the Executive Director and/or his staff to be of
museum quality and/or have significant historic value that adds to the museum displays.
- Items may be stored on the museum grounds until an appropriate display is prepared
and/or room is made within an existing display.
- *"On loan" donations are rarely accepted (usually only for a specific event). Therefore, all
items donated are considered the property of the museum to be used as the staff sees
fit. Rarely, a donated item may be sold if it is no longer acceptable for display. Any money
received for the item is placed in the museum accounts and used only for the benefit of
the museum.
* Items from other historical museums are exceptions to this rule.
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