DEL NORTE — Women of Rio Grande County exhibit will open at the Rio Grande County Museum on August 4. The exhibit includes evening and wedding dresses wore by women of Rio Grande County and donated to the museum by either themselves or family members.  Research and building of the exhibit has been done by the museum staff with the assistance of young women in the mentor program from High Valley Community Center.

This is the start of an ongoing project for women who can count five to six generations of family in Rio Grande County and the San Luis Valley. The museum staff will assist with some of the genealogy work but would like to have as much as possible done by the family. Each project will be shown as a temporary exhibit in the museum but will be added to the genealogy section of the archives. Family pictures to show the generations are encouraged and can be scanned by the museum in order to keep the original photos with the family. Men who can count five to six generations will also be encouraged to have the stories told as well.

Also, don’t forget the Ice Cream Social at the museum after the parade on Covered Wagon Days. The annual event accepts donation that helps to fund projects such as the Sleeve Project for the preservation of the large collection of old newspapers housed in the museum. The ice cream will be served from after the parade until 2 p.m.

Museum hours on Saturday of Covered Wagon Days will be from 10 a.m. to at least 4 p.m.  Regular hours at the museum are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Rio Grande County Museum is located at 580 Oak Street in Del Norte, just south of the one stop light in town.

For more please call at (719)657-2847 or check our Facebook page at Rio Grande County Museum.

Top of wedding dress for Willabelle Royce Ewing from Del Norte/Granger Lane area/ Courtesy Photo