Barney Ford House Museum
The Barney Ford House Museum is open year round.
Cost: Free admission, $5 suggested donation.
Directions: The Barney Ford House Museum is located a ½ block off Main Street on Washington Avenue. Parking is available on Main Street and Washington Avenue.
The Barney Ford House Museum honors Barney L. Ford, an escaped slave who prospered and became a prominent entrepreneur and black civil rights leader in Colorado.
Born into slavery in 1822, Ford was instilled with the importance of learning to read by his mother, who inspired his lifelong quest for education. After escaping via the Underground Railroad, Ford established various businesses in Chicago, the West and Nicaragua, eventually making his way to Colorado and Breckenridge.
In 1880, Ford became Breckenridge’s first black businessman when he opened Ford’s Restaurant and Chophouse. He was one of Breckenridge’s most successful entrepreneurs of his time.
The Barney Ford House was built in 1882 by prominent craftsman, Elias Nashold, for Ford, his wife Julia and their three children.
In later life, Barney became deeply involved in politics and the fight for the rights of African-Americans in Colorado. Ford’s portrait remains in the legislative chambers of the capitol building in Denver in recognition of his being an outstanding citizen of Colorado.
Download the Barney Ford Timeline
Today, the Barney Ford House Museum has been restored to its original Victorian style and each room in the home is dedicated to a different part of Barney’s life.
Rotating Exhibits at the Barney Ford House Museum: Currently on display at the Museum is the Breck150 Art Show, a collection of Breck150-inspired works by five local artists. It is free to view the show, which will be on display until September 30, 2009.
Breck150 Quilt: The Breck150 Quilt, a Signature Quilt in celebration of Breckenridge’s 150th Anniversary in 2009, is currently on display at the Barney Ford House Museum. For $10 per two-inch square you can sign your name to the quilt or dedicate a square in someone else’s name. The completed quilt will be on display in town throughout 2009. Please take this opportunity to be part of Breckenridge’s history and the anniversary celebration. Proceeds will benefit future restoration projects and exhibits at the museum. Local quilt maker Judy Keim is constructing the Breckenridge quilt.
See photographs of special events on the Barney Ford House Museum Lawn