For 100 years, the Museum of Boulder has been preserving the stories of our community through the objects people left behind. A Century of Collecting: Stories from Our Vault offers a rare opportunity to explore more than 200 artifacts from the Museum’s collection, many on display for the first time.
From beautifully preserved historic garments in the nationally recognized Phyllis Plehaty Costume Collection to artwork, trunks, quilts, mining tools, vintage toys, and other fascinating artifacts, the exhibition reveals the people, places, and moments that shaped Boulder.
Visitors will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the work of caring for more than 45,000 objects in the Museum’s collection, exploring how museums preserve history and make decisions about what stories are remembered for future generations.
The exhibition asks an important question: What does it take to care for a community’s legacy? Through a century of collecting, preserving, and documenting Boulder history, the Museum continues to expand the stories represented in its collection and ensure they reflect the diverse experiences of our community.
The vault is open. Come discover what’s inside.
Special Programs Include:
- Object Lessons – A curator-led web series exploring collections care and preservation.
- What’s It Worth? – Community appraisal events featuring local experts.
- Behind the Vault Door – A rare guided tour of the Museum’s off-site collections storage facility (October 10, 2026).