Posted: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 10:10 am

 The Many Museums of Golden

Golden has 10 museums -- a record for a town of 7.9 square miles with 17,000 people.
 

American Mountaineering Center -- The museum contains artifacts, art, climbing gear and maps that are a historical testimony of mountaineering since the late 19th century. 710 10th St., www.mountaincenter.org or 303-279-3080
 

The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum -- This museum is the first and only museum in the United States dedicated to the heroism, technology, culture and the spirit of mountaineering. 710 10th St., 303-996-2755 or www.bwamm.org
 

Clear Creek History Park -- Many of these buildings were once part of the 1878 Pearce Homestead and were lovingly relocated to downtown Golden. Guests can sit in the one-room schoolhouse and learn about cooking on a wood-fired stove. 11th & Arapahoe Sts., 303-278-3557 or www.clearcreekhistorypark.org
 

Buffalo Bill’s Grave and Museum -- Exhibits exploring Buffalo Bill’s life and times include Wild West show outfits and posters, Indian artifacts, and antique firearms. 

987-1/2 Lookout Mountain Rd., 303-526-0747 or www.buffalobill.org
 

National Earthquake and Information Center -- The exhibit center has a working seismograph, story boards and touch TV monitor with earthquake statistics. Tour by appointment only, Tuesday through Thursday. 1711 Illinois St., 303-873-2430
 

Foothills Art Center -- This private nonprofit organization, founded in 1968 by a group of Golden artists, offers classes for all ages and abilities, lectures, seminars and tours. 809 15th St., www.foothillsartcenter.org or 303-279-3922
 

Astor House Museum -- Opened in 1867, the Astor House was known as the finest stone hotel west of the Mississippi. Today, visitors are encouraged to wander around a “modern” 1890s kitchen and peek at a rope bed that inspired the saying, “Sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite!” 822 12th St., 303-278-3557 or www.astorhousemuseum.org
 

Colorado Railroad Museum -- Explore 12 acres of narrow and standard gauge locomotives, cars, and 50,000 rare old photographs, papers and artifacts. 17155 W. 44th Ave., 303-279-4591 or www.crrm.org
 

Geology Museum -- The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum offers free admission to extraordinary exhibits. Colorado School of Mines, 13th & Maple Sts., 303-273-3823 or www.mines.edu/academic/geology/museum
 

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum -- Dedicated to the preservation of quilts and the continuation of the art of both traditional and contemporary quilt-making. 1111 Washington Ave., 303-277-0377 or www.rmqm.org