(Revised: 06 January 2022)

Walking Tours

The Niwot Historical Society offers guided walking tours of the Old Town Niwot Historic District to school groups, scout troops, and the public. Guided tours are also available in connection with annual Niwot festivals on July 4th and other special occasions. Please contact us for further details and arrangements.

A downloadable Self-Guided Walking Tour brochure is also available. (Updated September, 2015.)
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Resident Gary Ereckson’s “horseless carriage” on Second Avenue in about 1950 Niwot Historical Society Collection

Photo Collection

Over the past several decades, the Niwot Historical Society has collected hundreds of photographs pertaining to Niwot and the Left Hand Valley. This collection was made possible by the many people who donated photographs. In order to preserve this valuable collection, a digitization project was undertaken in 2007. We now make digital copies of all donated photographs when received before documenting and adding them to our computerized filing system which facilitates retrieval. This photo collection can be viewed by researchers and private individuals, by appointment only.

Niwot depot with Great Western sugar beet dump in the distance. Note the beet car parked on a sidetrack beneath the ramp. Circa 1916. Niwot Historical Society Collection

The photo collection includes a variety of categories:

People

Businesses

School Class Pictures

Organizations

Buildings

Churches

Agriculture

Railroad

Homes

Second Avenue Scenes

All photographs seen on this website are from the Niwot Historical Society’s collection. To order prints for a small fee, or to donate more Niwot photos to the collection, please contact us.

Artifact Collection

The Niwot Historical Society maintains an artifact collection containing documents and items pertinent to Niwot and the Left Hand Valley. Our growing artifact collection began with a donation of local items collected by Niwot Tribune editor Doyle Hornbaker. Doyle published the town’s only newspaper from 1946 to 1958, during which time many townsfolk contributed memorabilia to him for safekeeping.

Historic items continue to be donated to the society. Recent acquisitions date from the 1950s to the present. Once accepted into our collection, each item is given an accession number, photographed, and added to our computerized filing system. All items are properly documented, labeled, and prepared for storage using archival materials, so that they will be preserved for future generations to research and enjoy. Many are displayed when The Fire House Museum is open for special town celebrations. We also draw upon these collections for special exhibits and public outreach.

Our quest for additional artifacts remains ongoing. If you have historic items or photographs you would consider donating, please contact us. Your precious family items can be preserved safely by the Niwot Historical Society while allowing you a tax deduction for the value of the donation.

King James Version Bible belonging to William Buchert of Niwot. Cover is black linen over paperboard. Inscribed “W.F. Buchert, Boulder, Colo.”; “01 30 cents”; “Louise” (Buchert’s daughter) ca 1901.

Firehouse Museum

Located next door to the Left Hand Grange Hall at 195 Second Avenue, the tiny Firehouse Museum is one of Niwot’s most unique historical landmarks. It is open to the public only when Niwot celebrates the Fourth of July and other special occasions. Learn more about Niwot Events.

Niwot Historical Society Collection

The map below shows the location of the firehouse, the yellow circle, next to the Left Hand Grange.

Or, you can click here to get driving directions from Google Maps.

Volunteer

You can do a little or a lot — every little bit helps. Volunteering opportunities include:

"Niwot, Now & Then" lecture series program committee.
Artifact cataloging and archiving.
Parades on the 4th of July and other special occasions.
Special events booth on the 4th of July, Enchanted Evening, and other special occasions.
Walking Tours of Old Town Niwot for school groups, public groups, and festivals.
Membership expansion and outreach to public.
Annual meeting program committee.
Historic displays for the Firehouse Museum.
Garden tending at Firehouse Museum patio garden.
Holiday decorating at the Firehouse Museum.
Social event planning for fun together with members and families.

Please contact us if you’d like to become active in the historical society.

Niwot Historical Society

Walking Tours

Photo Collection

Artifact Collection

Firehouse Museum

Volunteer

Links

Niwot Community Resources

Niwot Area Preservation Organizations

Colorado Statewide Preservation Organizations

Colorado Preservation Resources

National Preservation Organizations

National Preservation Resources