For 65 years the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum has welcomed thousands. Named after Lowell Jackson Thomas (April 6, 1892 – Aug. 29, 1981), an American writer, broadcaster, and traveler, best remembered for publicizing T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). He was also involved in promoting the Cinerama widescreen system.

Thomas grew up in Victor, graduating from Victor High School in 1911.

The museum features a room dedicated to the famed world traveler where you can see personal memorabilia, photos, furniture and more including videos of Lowell Thomas interviews.

The museum is currently soliciting matching funds for their History Colorado State Historic Funding grant to replace and stabilize the south bay double doors (located to the right of the main entrance). This mini-matching grant will be $37,375 towards replacing and stabilizing these doors. They need another $10,000 in matching grant monies.

These doors are original to the building, but were altered in 2000 with new glass and other changes.

“Currently, they are not operating properly enough to keep out the wind, cold, dust, critters and such, said Ruth Zalewski, museum owner.

With this grant, they will be replacing the doors with historically accurate replicas, thereby protecting the exterior and interior while making the entrance more user friendly. This is not the main entrance but it is used as an ADA entry when needed. As a secondary entrance, the doors open into the main gallery which is the mining exhibit. The new doors will enable them to better protect their artifacts.

They will also be reworking the displays in the mining history room to accommodate an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp. The museum has had an exterior ramp to this part of the museum for several years, but access was limited to the mining history room only.

The original matching money needed has included a generous donation from the City of Victor for $2,000. They are continuing to seek other grants as well. But they are asking for your help. Donations are welcome in any amount, and donations are tax deductible. No amount is too small.

The project will build on the museum board’s desire to make the facility more accessible to all ages and promote an inclusive environment for all. The museum board of directors is grateful to El Pomar and Newmont CC&V for their generous support of this project.

If you wish to donate, you can do it directly through their website, VictorMuseum.com. Checks can be sent to PO Box 238, Victor, CO 80860. For further information, email info@victormuseum.com, or call 719-689-5509.

The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum is an original 1899 building that houses two floors of artifacts, books, exhibits and photographs depicting the life in Victor from its beginnings to the heyday of gold mining. See the diamond dust mirror, large collection of mining artifacts, themed-rooms, and old-fashioned doctor’s office. During the summer, you can pan for real gold and gems. The panning trough is open daily from Memorial Day to the end of September, weather allowing. They also have a gift shop that offers books, historic maps and postcards, real stone and Victorian jewelry, old-time games and puzzles, gold ore and rocks and minerals.

Admission is $10. for all ages and includes gold panning during the summer months. The museum is open weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to May 24. They will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until September 30. The construction work will be underway most of the month of March. During this time, the museum will be closed to ensure contractor and public safety. Special open dates will be posted on the museum Facebook page if construction activities allow.

The second project in this same room will begin in early summer of replacing double entry doors that are no longer functional. The door project is being funded by History Colorado’s State Historic Fund, a grant from the City of Victor, and several private donors with ongoing fundraising. This project will not affect the ability of the museum to be open, although some access may be limited during construction.

“Thank you all for helping us make the first floor of our museum and gift shop totally ADA accessible,” said Zalewski.