Lucretia Vaile Museum

A Museum Director, Staff, and Docents, all of whom are volunteers, operate the Museum. It houses many photos, articles, and artifacts of the historical Palmer Lake, Monument and Palmer Divide areas. Special displays are rotated every 4-6 months. Current Museum Volunteers in photo are, left to right, Hobie Edwards, Secretary, Hildegard Juell, Docent, Susan Davis, Curator, Roger Davis, Director. Not shown are: Phyllis Bonser, Hilde Simco, Sharon Jarnagin, Jim Sawatzki, Dee Kirby, and Mary Meyer.

The Vaile Museum is open every Saturday from 10 AM - 2 PM year round. From June through August, the Museum is also open on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM. We are located at 66 Lower Glenway St. in Palmer Lake with easy access from Highway 105. You may leave a message at 559-0837.

Mission Statement:

To provide, maintain and expand a museum resource for historical data, artifacts and other items of significance relating to Palmer Lake, Monument, and the Palmer Divide area and make resources available to the public on a scheduled basis.

Objectives:

• Serve the historical and educational needs of Palmer Lake, Monument, and the Divide area as a resource and repository for historically significant documents, photos, artifacts and related items.
• Preserve and protect the Museum and its contents.
• Maintain Museum housing, reference files, books and storage on an organized basis.
• Coordinate liaison activities with the Palmer Lake Historical Society, sponsor of the Lucretia Vaile Museum, and also with the Town of Palmer Lake for those services furnished by the Society and the Town.
• Coordinate liaison activities with the Town of Monument and private organizations to further the mission of the Museum.
• Communicate to the public the availability of the Museum as a research and educational resource and assist visitors with information about the historical data available.
• Maintain and communicate to the public the schedule of the Museum's open hours.
• Promote guided tours, develop and conduct history-related presentations to clubs and groups, create Museum displays and sponsor special Museum events.
• Encourage and promote donations to the museum of historically significant data and artifacts.
• Encourage and secure donations and funding to ensure the continuation of the Museum.

History:

The Lucretia Vaile Museum began in the basement of the Palmer Lake Marshal's Offices (originally the AT&SF Section Foreman's house). The museum quickly outgrew that building, and the current Library-Museum was dedicated on October 4, 1981. The building was erected as a memorial to Lucretia Vaile, who left a bequest to the town of Palmer Lake, which was used to build the original structure. With the new building came new museum pieces. An area furrier who was going out of business donated the glass display cases still used in the museum. An addition was built in 1996 with money the Palmer Lake Historical Society received from the estate of Lena Royse, providing storage and administrative space. The Museum now contains permanent exhibits dedicated to the towns of Palmer Lake, and Monument as well as the surrounding area. The rich history of the Tri-Lakes is maintained as a legacy for those yet to come.

Patrons and Benefactors:

We wish to recognize the patrons and benefactors that have made very generous contributions thus furthering the mission of the Vaile Museum and the Historical Society.

Please visit the websites of these fine people & organizations. They have all helped make the job of preserving and displaying the history of the Tri-Lakes area possible. Find out more at our new Patrons and Benefactors page.

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