Museum Objects

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Behind the Scenes of a Museum

Have you ever wondered what it looks like behind the scenes at a museum? This online exhibit will give you an insiders view.

The objects that you will find in a public museum are owned by everyone. That’s right, you are a part owner of everything you are about to see! Museums keep things and place in public trust, meaning we protect them so that you, your friend, family and future generations can enjoy and learn from them.

A baby's scooter from the 1970's.

1950's Christmas lights inside the box.

A coal miners helmet.

A bottle of wine that still contains wine!

Military jackets.

Baseball card collection and autographed ball.

Brain Surgery kit.

A saddle made in Grand Junction at the turn of the century!

A couples matched portraits.

Historic Antacid!

Textiles in storage at the Museum of the West. Things like rugs and blankets are rolled and hung to protect the object and save space.

Memorabilia from the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics.

Historic clothing.

The Ute people are known for their impressive beadwork like you see here on these leather gloves.

Surgical kit.

Snowshoes

A peach covered in cloves.

US military dress hats. The Air Force, the Navy and the Army are represented here.

The Floradora Girls were a traveling act that performed in Grand Junction.

Lanterns

Shoes

1950's Christmas lights outside of the box.

A banjo.

You Can Be A Billionaire game, 1950's.

Samples of uranium ore.

1990's Paleontologist Barbie.

A cast iron toy train set.

Small animal traps from the 1900's.

Ether was a gas used as an anesthesia for surgery.

1900's Porcelain doll.

A mink stole once worn by a very fashionable woman.

A 1900's porcelain baby doll.

One of the largest collections the museum has is of Geiger counters because back in the 50’s, everyone’s hobby was prospecting for uranium.

An old-fashioned, black and white TV.

You can find some dangerous things in museums.

Military trunks waiting to be added to the collection.

Items waiting to be accessioned into the collection.

Grand Junction High School

1950's children's game.

School was a little different in the early days. Everyone from Kindergarden to middle school were taught in the same room.

1940-50's Crosley radio.

Mano and Metate

Museum of the West collections space.

Some early fire fighting equipment.

The Mud Wagon

A 1990's Sony video camera.

A large collection of typewriters.

Objects in storage at the Museum of the West.

This plane was used in the search for uranium deposits.

Cast bronze animal and dinosaur figures.

A spanish helmet known as a morion.

Native American pottery. Each group had their very own style.