<div>Museums of Western Colorado announced they are closing the Museum of the West and Cross Orchards Historic Site and Museum due to a lack of funding. They will consolidate all operations to the Fruita location, which currently contains Dinosaur Journey.The museums offer educational opportunities for CMU students. Senior percussion performance major Rob Reid recently visited the Museum of the West with his US government class. It’s located downtown on the corner of Ute Ave and 5th Street.“I learned quite a lot about different indigenous cultures that existed here,” Reid said.The decision to consolidate the museums into one location drew the attention of students and Grand Valley residents.“This is extremely sad! It sounds like this decision was made with no input from the people of Mesa County,” community member Rebecca Richmond wrote under a Facebook post by The Museums of Western Colorado announcing the decision.Mesa alum and Events Coordinator for the Museums Bonnie Duffy said she hopes Cross Orchards is bought by someone that understands it’s value.“It’s an important piece of our community history, and so it’s our hope that it will go on to a non-profit that wants to continue that role in our community,” Duffy said.Near the corner of Patterson and 31 Road, it is an agricultural museum. The 19th century farm contains period accurate buildings, artifacts, locomotives and vehicles.The closure announcement drew attention from Cross Orchard volunteers, including Terry Kraft.“Where else can kids witness and participate in cooking and laundry methods of yesteryear in the old bunkhouse? Where else can fourth-graders roam around inside of 100-year-old train box cars,” Kraft wrote in a letter to the Daily Sentinel.Museums of Western Colorado Director of Development and Communications Mollie Shepardson said a decline in donations and a Mesa County policy contributed to the lack of funding.“It’s just not feasible for us to maintain the three sites, and we risk closing in a year and a half if we don’t consolidate,” Shepardson said.A ballot measure passed in 1974 allocated up to $1,000,000 in funds for The Museums of the West. Due to the measure’s wording, County commissioners maintain discretion over how much is allocated.“Over the years, that funding has either, it’s either stayed steady or it has decreased,” Shepardson said.Shepardson said they chose to keep Dinosaur Journey open due to higher traffic and lower construction costs. They reached this decision after conversations with contractors, stakeholders, and community members.Shepardson said the expansion of the Fruita location will take place on a 13-year plan. Phase one, expected to be complete two years from now, will see the incorporation of increased classroom space intended for community use and programming with schools.Phase two, projected to be completed in six years, will see exhibits redone to include some from the closed locations. Phase three will expand construction even further to include more space for exhibits. Shepardson said the 13-year plan is subject to change timelines. The exhibits will likely remain open through expansion.There was speculation of commercial developers taking over the closed museums. Shepardson said that District 51 owns the building housing the Museum of the West and that there are buyers interested in Cross Orchards.“We do actually have a couple of people who we have had outreach from who are interested in what they can do with that site to keep it preserved as a historic site that’s open for public visitation,” Shepardson said.No buyer has been selected.</div>

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Museums of Western Colorado announced they are closing the Museum of the West and Cross Orchards Historic Site and Museum due to a lack of funding. They will consolidate all operations to the Fruita location, which currently contains Dinosaur Journey. The museums offer educational opportunities for CMU students. Senior percussion...

Non-profit shutters two local museums

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Museums of Western Colorado announced they are closing the Museum of the West and Cross Orchards Historic Site and Museum due to a lack of funding. They wi

Non-profit shutters two local museums

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