Class trips and teacher guides

The Louisville Historical Museum helps young people learn the history of their community. Our staff are happy to work with teachers on history topics that connect to your classroom lessons.

To learn more about Museum programs and resources, please email the Museum team at or call (303) 335-4850.

Museum tours

A tour takes students through the three historic buildings on the Museum campus. They were built between 1903 and 1908. Each one tells a different part of Louisville's story.

• The Jacoe Store holds artifacts and historic photos of Louisville's early settlement and industry. Highlights include coal mining artifacts and a 1920s painted theatre curtain from the Rex Theatre on Main Street.
• The Tomeo House is shown as a coal miner's home. Students explore daily life, immigrant families, and historic technology in the kitchen, bedroom, and sitting room.
• The Jordinelli House holds a six-foot by six-foot replica of original downtown Louisville. It shows how the town's businesses grew.

Schedule a Museum visit

Teachers can schedule a tour for any age group. Please email the Museum team at least a few weeks in advance.

When you reach out, please tell us:

• Whether you are bringing more than one class
• The approximate number of people in your group

A few things to know:

• The Museum buildings are small. We will ask you to divide classes of more than 25 people into two groups. We will arrange extra staff to help with the tour.
• We request at least one adult chaperone for every 6 children under age 12.
• We are happy to focus on a specific topic if you ask, such as coal mining history or daily life.

History resources

These tools offer primary and secondary sources on Louisville and United States history. A primary source is an original record from the time, such as a photo or letter. A secondary source explains or describes that history later. You can find these and more under the Discover tab.

• Louisville Historical Museum Online Photo Collection. Over 4,800 images of Louisville history.
• The Louisville Historian. Our member newsletter, with articles on Louisville history.
• Louisville Times (Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection). Includes the Louisville Times from 1942 and other local papers from the region.
• Digital Public Library of America. Primary sources, online exhibits, and education kits.

Research assistance

Our staff are happy to help students research Louisville history. If you have a specific question, we recommend setting up an appointment to talk through your project. Please email the Museum team or call 303-335-4850.

Preschool and early education programs

History is for all ages. The Museum partners with preschools and early education classrooms to offer fun, hands-on programs. These programs support the community engagement goal of the Creative Curriculum and share new views of the Museum's collection.

Programs are designed for ages 2 to 5. Sit-down programs last about 30 minutes. You can add a 30-minute building tour afterward. Request a program through our Special Tours form.

We offer four program topics:

• Clothing. Students explore historic clothing like aprons, miners' helmets, overalls, a school sweater, and long underwear.
• Building Tools. Students learn about a hammer, screwdriver, saw, lamp, and mine pick.
• Animals. Students meet the animals of historic Louisville, including canaries, mules, horses, chickens, and dogs.
• Town Businesses. Students discover early Louisville businesses, from coal mines and grocery stores to the soda shop, shoe repair shop, phone switchboard, and blacksmith.

Each program uses age-appropriate words and hands-on activities, and ends with time for questions.

Primary source packets

Our team created educational packets that meet Colorado Education Standards for 2nd through 5th grade. Each packet pairs primary and secondary sources with activities built for that grade level.

The packets draw from the Museum's collection, online content, and historic sites in Louisville. They cover local history topics from immigration and community-building to historic preservation.

We offer two packets:

• Louisville's Italian Heritage. Explores Louisville's Italian community and its role in shaping the town.
• History from Buildings. Explores how historic buildings can teach us about the past.