Top of the Rockies
Heritage Museum, CO

The Heritage Museum is housed in the old Carnegie Library, which opened its doors in 1904. Andrew Carnegie donated the money to build the library and Leadville provided the site and maintained the new building. The library served the people of Leadville until 1971 when it was turned into a museum focusing on local history.

The story of Leadville is told within these walls through memorabilia, Victorian furniture, and items showing what it was like for the boomtown of Leadville. There are mining dioramas that illustrate important aspects of Leadville's history. There is a large model replica of the Palace of Ice, which was built in Leadville in 1896. There are photographs and memorabilia from the 10th Mountain Division that trained at nearby Camp Hale. Also located within the museum is a gallery of fine art.