The museum is composed of three distinct properties: the Baca House and Kitchen Garden, Bloom Mansion and Gardens, and the Santa Fe Trail Museum.  

The Baca House interprets the lives and lifestyles of two families. John Hough traveled from Pennsylvania to work on the Santa Fe Trail in Kansas and Missouri before moving to Trinidad with his wife Mary.  New Mexican Felipe Baca founded Trinidad in 1861, a year after he passed through the future town site with four wagonloads of flour. He was headed to the gold mining settlement of Cherry Creek, near Denver, to sell the flour to miners.

The Houghs had a two-story adobe house built in 1870 and three years later traded it to Felipe and Dolores Baca for 22,000 pounds of wool.  The Territorial style house is made from sturdy adobe bricks, sealed with adobe stucco, and decorated with pediments and faux columns inspired by classical Greek architecture. 

Today, the house contains period furnishings with a few Baca and Hough heirlooms. One room features artwork by the museum's founder, Arthur Roy Mitchell. The acclaimed Western artist was the last person to reside in the home.

The adobe building behind the main house originally served as workers quarters. Today it is home to the Santa Fe Trail Museum.  Between the two buildings, heirloom herbs and vegetables thrive in the kitchen garden. 

The Santa Fe Trail Museum contains exhibits that give an overview of local history, personalities, and events from the Trail era through Trinidad's heyday as a cultural and commercial center in the 1920s.  Trinidad's ethnic diversity is featured--American Indian, Spanish, Lebanese, Jewish, Greek, Italian, Belgian, English, and Scottish residents all played a role in Trinidad's rich history.

The Bloom Mansion, built in 1882, stands in striking contrast to the Baca House. The ornate mansion features a four-story tower, iron cresting, and prominent cornerstones.  Frank and Sarah Bloom chose imposing Second Empire architecture for their home overlooking Main Street on Millionaire's Row.  From Pennsylvania, the Blooms became wealthy through investments in banking, trade, and ranching. 

Today, guests enjoy behind-the-scenes tours while the landmark residence is being restored and the rooms stand empty.  The Trinidad History Museum is open Monday-Sunday, May 1-September 30, between 10 am-4 pm and at other times for large tour groups with reservations.  Between October-April, the gardens are open Monday-Saturday for self-guided tours and the buildings are available for group tours with reservations.

The Museum Bookstore is open between Thanksgiving and Christmas for holiday shopping. The Santa Fe Trail Museum, Bookstore, and Information Center are handicap accessible. 

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Fun Facts
Spanish colonists named Trinidad's river "El Rio de Las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio–"The River of Lost Souls in Purgatory". Today, the official name has a French spelling–oire at the end--and English pronunciation.  Trinidad is the seat of Las Animas County, which gets its name from the river.

Trinidad's landmark, Fisher's Peak, was named after Waldemar Fischer, a Prussian officer who served in The Army of the West led by General Stephen Watts Kearny.  When the Army camped near the flat-topped mountain on their march to capture Santa Fe during the Mexican-American War in 1846, Fischer climbed the mountain and picked a wildflower to send to his wife. 

Irish immigrant and union organizer Mother Jones convinced coal miners to go on strike during a meeting at the West Theater, which still stands in the historic district. The fiery Jones led women and children in a march down Main Street to protest against the mining companies.

Trinidad is a railroad town. The Old Firehouse No. 1 Children's Museum has a model train showing the various lines that once came into Trinidad. Walter Chrysler was a railroad worker in Trinidad, where he also experimented on automotive engines. 

And for some modern history--Tony Hawk ranks the Trinidad Skate Park as one of the best ten in the world. Right next to the skate park is a new extreme disk golf course for hardy Frisbee enthusiasts.


Other Places to Visit
Stroll through Trinidad's downtown historic district admiring great old buildings and reading historic markers. The district also has art galleries, antique shops, native and folk art stores, restaurants, saloons, and a brewery in an old train station. The Purgatoire River Walk is just a block away. The free Trinidad Trolley, which operates Memorial Day-Labor Day, is an hour-long ride through the downtown and historic neighborhoods.

Trinidad Lake State Park offers hiking, camping and boating. The park is located on Highway 12 between Trinidad and Cokedale, a company coal mining town that offers self-guided tours through its historic district.

Best Times to Visit
All attractions are available Memorial Day-Labor Day but several have a longer season or are available year-round. For more information, including a calendar of events, visit http://www.historictrinidad.com

Scenic and Historic Byways
Two Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways come through Trinidad–the Santa Fe Trail and Highway of Legends.  Pick up brochures about the byways and other local attractions at the Trinidad History Museum's information center.

Santa Fe Trail–The byway follows the famed commercial road of 1821-1880 and boasts many attractions from Trinidad to Lamar. For more information, visit www.santafetrailscenicandhistoricbyway.org

Scenic Highway of Legends–The Scenic Highway of Legends loops through spectacular scenery and historic towns in Las Animas and Huerfano counties. For more information, visit www.sangres.com