Black American West Museum and Heritage Center
Black American West Museum and Heritage Center
The Black American West Museum and Heritage Center is located in Denver Colorado and it preserves the culture and history of the African American men and women who helped to shape the west. Featuring exhibits on African American cowboys like Bill Pickett, it's even located in the former home of Dr. Justina Ford who was the first African American female doctor in Denver. She was truly a medical pioneer. Regardless of the walls she confronted and knocked down, she established a practice in Denver that was a notable one.
Many people don't know that there were actual Black Cowboys. One such person was Paul Stewart, founder of the museum. When he was a child he loved to play cowboys and indians, but always played an indian because he thought there was no such thing as a "black cowboy." That was, until he moved to Denver in the 1960's and met "his first black cowboy." Paul Stewart then vowed to find all information he could on other black western pioneers. And not only has he done that, he's done it VERY well.
Mr. Stewart's search for information led him to almost every corner in the west where he gathered newspapers, clothing, letters, cowboy boots, saddles, personal artifacts, photographs and much more. Also uncovered were a great many facts. For example, did you know that "one of the first gold discoveries in Idaho Springs, Colorado was made by Henry Parker, a Black mine owner?" Not many people do. This is what the museum does. It educates people on the history of these great people, these brave men and women who helped in many important dates in our timeline.
Guided tours and self-guided tours are available to anyone, especially class field trips. There are many educational opportunities when visiting this museum and the influence of these pioneers is a great find!
