Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
The ranch's Chambers House
1800s Homestead found on the ranch
A view of some of the property of the ranch
American Indian shelter found on the ranch
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Museum guides, each wearing clothing specific to the time period and type of residence, explain and demonstrate activities of daily life of those who lived in the homes. Visitors see and learn how people from different time periods lived in the Colorado Springs area, what they wore, what they ate, how they cooked their meals, how they cleaned themselves and their clothes, what they did for entertainment, and how they made their living.
There is a working Blacksmith shop on site and a barn with horses, and a chicken coop. Sheep and cows graze around the farm, and at one time, peacocks were resident. All museum guides respond to questions, demonstrate daily living skills, and voluntarily offer information about the character they are portraying in actions, speech, and dress.
The museum hosts 65,000 people on an annual basis. Many visitors discover Rock Ledge Ranch due to its location immediately adjacent to the entrance to Garden of the Gods, a registered national natural landmark of 300 feet high orange-red rock formations jutting out of the earth.
Because of the city of Colorado Spring's economic difficulties since 2009, its funding and continued existence was threatened however an aggressive fundraising campaign has generated huge public support as well as additional opportunities to experience this setting due to themed special events such as wine tastings and a Shakespeare festival.