Museum Guide

Nestled in the mountain town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, the Wingfield Heritage House Museum invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of local history. Originally built in the 1920s by Ike and Lula Wingfield, the house served as a family residence for three generations before eventually becoming part of the heart of the community.   Today, beautifully restored to reflect its original character, the museum stands as both a tribute to the Wingfield legacy and a living record of Ruidoso’s development. Inside, each room is thoughtfully curated to tell stories about early settlement life, native cultures, and the growth of the region’s industries, arts, and tourism.  One of the museum’s signature projects is Ruidoso Rewind, a weekly radio show aired on KRUI The Mountain. The program, written and narrated by the museum’s curator Stephanie Long with production by Greg Widener, explores the hidden histories and significant events that shaped the Ruidoso area. In 2025, the show earned a prestigious Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), recognizing its role in bringing local heritage to life.  The Wingfield Heritage House Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and admission is FREE. The museum also hosts community-oriented events, such as Hands-on History Family Day, which features interactive activities like retro games, historic handwriting practice, and artifact mystery challenges.  To help support its mission, the museum works closely with the Friends of the Wingfield Heritage House Museum, a nonprofit dedicated to fundraising, collecting artifacts, and engaging new volunteers. For those planning a visit or looking to contribute historical items from life, business, or tourism in the Ruidoso area, the Wingfield Heritage House Museum stands as a cherished gateway into the past—anchoring community memory and inspiring future discovery. https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/wingfield-heritage-house-museum  

The Taft Blackland Museum in Taft, Texas is a unique cultural and educational facility that focuses on the history and development of the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. We are located at 107 North Main Street, our museum houses a variety of artifacts, documents, photographs, and oral histories related to the settlement and development of the area. The museum is divided into two parts: the first part is we are dedicated to the history of the Blackland Prairie region, with exhibits highlighting its history from the pre-colonial era to the present day; the second part is dedicated to the contributions made by African American settlers and their descendants to the region.The Taft Blackland Museum offers educational programs and hosts special events throughout the year, such as lectures, field trips, and summer camps. The museum also houses a research library where visitors can access a variety of resources related to the history of the Blackland Prairie region.The Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is free. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits, or take a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent. The museum also features a gift shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs and books related to the history of the Blackland Prairie region. We look forward to welcoming you this year! 361-214-1247  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057326985508

The Forney Museum of Transportation, in Denver, CO began as the private collection of Mr. J. D. Forney of Fort Collins, CO. https://www.forneymuseum.org/index.html From an early age Mr. Forney had an interest in cars, airplanes, and all modes of transportation. He was born in Enid, Oklahoma on January 27, 1905 Today the Forney Museum of Transportation is a one-of-a-kind collection of over 800 artifacts relating to historical transportation. It began 67 years ago with a single 1921 Kissel, but soon expanded to include vehicles of all kinds. Today it includes not just vehicles, but also buggies, motorcycles, steam locomotives, aircraft, carriages, rail equipment, fire apparatus, public transportation, sleighs, bicycles, toys & diecast models, vintage apparel and much, much more! Our collection highlights include: Pre-War Chevrolets (temporary exhibit), Union Pacific 'Big Boy' Steam Locomotive #4005, Amelia Earhart's 1923 Kissel 'Gold Bug' Kissel Car. We also feature the Forney Locomotive, Colorado & Southern Caboose, 1923 Hispano-Suiza, 1927 Rolls-Royce, 1913-53 Indian Motorcycle Collection, Denver & Rio Grande Dining Car, 1888 Denver Cable Car, 1923 Case Steam Tractor, 1817 Draisenne Bicycle, 500 Piece Matchbox Collection, and more! The Museum is fortunate enough to offer rotating exhibits every 3-4 months! The Forney Museum also has many scheduled events throughout the year, please click below and check them out! https://www.forneymuseum.org/events.html Make a point to come see us this year, as we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Thunderbirds! We are also having a fundraiser raffle, with the winner winning a brand new Corvette! Check out the details: https://www.tapkat.org/the-forney-museum-of-transportation/19xv3E  Located just 5 minutes from the heart of Downtown Denver, the Forney Museum is also an event venue in Denver. We provide your guests with a unique and memorable experience. Event Rental Venues in Central Space. Place your party right in the middle of our historic collection! This space can easily accommodate a dance floor, DJ, catering, and auction tables. The space will be sized to best fit your guest count- from 50 people up to 500 seated, and even more cocktail style. https://www.forneymuseum.org/MeetingRooms.html Next time in you're in Denver come check us out for a history in the transportation industry you’ve never seen before!