Miramont Castle Museum
Featured Exhibits
Miramont Castle displays the local history throughout the castle. Such features include, the Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department where you can see historical pieces dating back to the 1880s, the Nurnberg Exhibit showing photos of that historical trial as well as Judge Young's books and desk. We have the Spoils of War room where you can see many pictures and items from that area. There are other rotating exhibits to be seen. Come visit us often.
Adolph Bandelier Exhibition
Miramont Castle’s architect, Fr. Jean Baptiste Francolon, shared a close friendship with Adolph Bandelier in New Mexico from 1883 to 1892. Fr. Francolon, originally from France, was recruited by Archbishop Lamy of Santa Fe and later became pastor for an expansive parish that included 18 mission churches and 4 pueblos—his time in New Mexico inspired and influenced the castle’s design.
The exhibition features 49 historical photographs, mostly from 1880 to 1900, sourced from nine institutions across the U.S., showcasing the desert landscapes where Bandelier conducted archaeological research among past and present Indian Pueblos. Some of these photographs, including those originally sent to the American Institute of Archaeology, are now part of the Peabody Museum collections at Harvard University, and many are being publicly displayed for the first time.
The exhibition includes four custom maps tracing Bandelier’s journeys to historic archaeological sites—an exclusive collection. This marks one of the most comprehensive Bandelier exhibitions held outside Bandelier National Monument.
Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department
Memorial Weekend 2010 marked the grand opening of a museum-within-a-museum, featuring antique and vintage fire department equipment from around the Pikes Peak region. Its hallmark is an antique hose cart, the oldest piece of fire apparatus registered with the Colorado State Firefighters Association, owned by the MSVFD since 1880. Fascinating authentic memorabilia and photographs of a bygone era surround it. Admission to the Fire Department Museum is included in admission to the Castle.
Nurnberg Exhibit
The latest exhibit in Miramont Castle is the Nurnburg High Command Trial and Judge John C. Young’s office display. John C. Young was a lawyer in Colorado Springs who was elected to the Colorado State Supreme Court. Judge Young became the Chief Justice of the State Supreme and was hand selected to preside over the twelfth and final Nurnberg Trial. The pictures that you will see in this exhibit are the photos that the Judge brought back with him which shows the entire court room, participants and captures the intensity of the trials.
Opening these rooms will be the last part of the Castle that will be opened to the public. There are only a few rooms now that are not accessible and most of them are closets and storage.
Spoils of War
From the War Between the States to the current wars, this poignant display gives insight into the tragedy, the pain, and the occasional humor of the heroic men and women who continually fight for the freedom we dare not take for granted. See authentic uniforms, grim souvenirs, chilling photographs, and the human side of battle
The Sawyer & Garstin
MAP COLLECTION
Still being archived is our priceless collection of original antique maps depicting El Paso and Teller counties from mid-1800. This unique collection includes correspondence, survey books, packing lists, and other fascinating materials that together tell the unparalleled history of the Pikes Peak region, and will eventually be available for research. It is not open to the public at this time.
Pikes Peak International
Hill Climb Display
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. First competed in 1916 and this year marks the 92nd running of the “Race to the Clouds.”
