The Animas Museum houses three galleries of exhibits that explore themes that have affected our history and touch our future including Native Americans, fire, law enforcement, education, and transportation. The Museum draws from these resources for programming opportunities which include mini-exhibits, events, speakers (in-person and online webinars), book signings, walking tours, education programs including History Trunks, and an annual publication History La Plata distributed by The Durango Herald. Local historian Carolyn Bowra will edit and lead the team of writers in researching various topics relating to the 1920s and local history and culture. History La Plata will be inserted in print editions of The Durango Herald in late May 2023 and will be circulated throughout Durango all year long. It is also available digitally through the Animas Museum’s website. The publication will also be distributed to locations where locals and tourists can pick up a copy including the Durango Welcome Center and the Railroad Museum.

The Animas Museum received LTAC funding for printing 5000 copies of the 24-page publication and for the conservation work of a collection of historic Pueblo pottery.

In 1990, 27 of the historic Pueblo pots displayed at the Durango Public Library were donated to the Animas Museum. Local conservator Briana Paxton has been working with our collection of prehistoric pottery and we would like to continue to engage her to clean and conserve these pieces on a contract basis.