History Comes to Life at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site
by Elizabeth Borders, Rock Ledge Ranch
Looking for ways to include history in your summer plans as we celebrate 150 years of Colorado statehood and 250 years of the United States of America? Search no further than Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site at Garden of the Gods Park! History will come to life before your eyes as you engage with and experience hundreds of years of life in the Pikes Peak Region through the eyes of native peoples, homesteaders, health-seekers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, blacksmiths, men, women, rich, and poor. With multiple original and reproduction historic buildings, over 100 volunteer and staff historic interpreters, and the lively community of barnyard animals, Rock Ledge Ranch is an immersive experience for all ages. The summer Living History Program season extends from June to mid-August and is peppered with special events throughout.
Saturday, June 6 is Sheep Shearing and Fiber Arts Day, a real-life glimpse into an important farm task and all that goes with it! The shearing of the sheep, sheep dog demonstrations, hands-on crafts for kids, and many different fiber art demonstrations enhance the living history experience in the historic homes, barnyard, and blacksmith shop.
Our Family Fourth event on Saturday July 4th will be a jubilant celebration of the Nation’s birthday, full of live music, historic speeches, old-fashioned carnival games, a bike and stroller parade, and much more! Bring a picnic or purchase meals and treats from a variety of food trucks and our General Store. All the historic buildings will be open and the whole Ranch will be decked out in patriotic spirit!
Rock Ledge Ranch will host the United We Rock Festival on Saturday August 1—the largest local celebration of the sesqui-semi-quin-centennial! Celebrate America’s 250 and Colorado’s 150 with music, community and pure Coloradan energy featuring epic local bands, unforgettable experiences, food trucks and beer/whiskey tastings at Rock Ledge Ranch from 2:00pm-8:00pm.
Outside of these special events, the historic buildings around the Ranch are open and staffed with historic interpreters Wednesdays-Saturdays from 10:00am-5:00pm, and Sundays from 1:00pm-5:00pm from June 3 to August 15. The chores, crafts, and cooking that real people did on a normal day 100, 200, or even 300 years ago happen daily and historic interpreters eagerly welcome guests to watch and even participate. In addition to the historic homes, visit the Native American exhibit and interpretive area in the Carriage House, the 1880s garden and barnyard area, the 1890s blacksmith shop, and the General Store. Whether you’ve been a hundred times or never, you’re bound to learn something new at Rock Ledge Ranch during our Living History Program.
As part of Garden of the Gods Park, the Rock Ledge Ranch grounds are open dawn to dusk year-round and are a perfect place to observe wildlife, take a walk, or enjoy a picnic. Even when the buildings aren’t open, you’ll find the Ranch to be a beautiful and peaceful piece of Garden of the Gods Park. Make sure to add Rock Ledge Ranch to your America 250 summer bucket list!
