Mission: The Longmont Museum is a center for culture in Northern Colorado where people of all ages explore history, experience art, and discover new ideas through dynamic programs, exhibitions, and events.
Vision: The Longmont Museum fosters a community that is culturally educated and creatively inspired.
History:
In 1940, the first exhibits opened to the public in the carriage house at the Callahan House. The Museum outgrew that space, and, in 1954, moved to the basement of the Memorial Building in Roosevelt Park.
The Museum became more officially structured with the incorporation of the Longmont Museum, Inc., on October 4, 1961.
In 1970, the Museum changed from a private, nonprofit organization to a department of the City of Longmont. Shortly after that, the Museum moved again, this time to a converted Sorenson garage at 3rd and Kimbark. The new space opened its doors on September 13, 1970. In 1973, the garage was torn down and the Museum moved to a converted City warehouse and garage at 375 Kimbark Street.
In November 1999, Longmont voters approved $5 million in a bond issue to build a new museum. The bond issue was approved by over 77 percent of voters. The Longmont Museum & Cultural Center was further enhanced by a $1 million gift from the Bill and Lila Stewart family. Now located at 400 Quail Road, just east of Main Street in south Longmont, the Longmont Museum invites visitors to come and see our regularly changing exhibits, experience our education programs, and enjoy the views from our Longs Peak Room tower.
In 2015, the Museum opened the Stewart Auditorium, an 11,000 square foot expansion made possible by a $4.5 million capital campaign. The expansion included the 250-seat Stewart auditorium and Cone-Shortall stage, the glass-walled Swan Atrium, and the Kaiser Permanente Education Center, which greatly expanded the Museum's classroom space.
In 2023, the Museum once again launched a new capital campaign, this time to fund a comprehensive expansion, including a complete renovation of the outdoor courtyard, adding a dedicated children’s gallery, and doubling the size of the existing gallery space, among other enhancements. The campaign goal is $8 million with a kickoff and groundbreaking in September, 2023.
Longmont is a diverse, multicultural and receptive city, one in which it's easy for people to make connections and to thrive as part of the community. As home to many customs and cultures, it's easy for residents and visitors to find fellowship with others of similar backgrounds and to explore and join in traditions that are new or foreign. The many nonprofit, civic and cultural organizations of Longmont welcome new people to become involved, and there is opportunity to find others with whom to share almost any interest. Not only do "you belong in Longmont" if you’re looking for a welcoming hometown or business location, but "when you’re in Longmont, you belong."
