The Rock Ledge Ranch historic site near Colorado Springs celebrates the holiday season tonight with tried-and-true traditions including covered-wagon rides.
A working farm and living-history museum located near Garden of the Gods, Rock Ledge Ranch depicts life in the Pikes Peak region during four eras.
Visitors’ walk through time begins with a typical Ute Indian camp circa 1775.
Next is the Galloway Homestead, an 1860s-style pioneer cabin where families can learn about the challenges of moving west and staking claims along the still- wild frontier.
The Chambers Home and Ranch showcases the Rock Ledge House and an 1880s working farm, complete with farm animals, barns and outbuildings.
The most modern stop takes visitors through the Orchard House, a 1907 country estate built in fine style for Gen. William J. Palmer, founder of Colorado Springs.
Each vignette includes actors dressed in period clothing. Tonight, they will offer era-appropriate demonstrations of holiday entertaining.
Elsewhere around the ranch, music groups will herald the holiday season with performances that culminate in an old-fashioned barn dance.
Despite the popularity of this and other events at the ranch throughout the year, this could be its last hurrah. The city of Colorado Springs has helped fund the site in the past, but recent budget cuts knocked out the funding for 2010.
“We were scheduled for closure on Dec. 30,” said Ron Wright, president of the Rock Ledge Ranch living-history association. “But the city has given us an additional 90 days.”
The ranch covers 240 acres and has been operated as a living history museum since 1966.
“We need to raise $136,000 by April 1 to continue operations next year,” Wright said. “So this could very possibly be the last holiday event at Rock Ledge Ranch.”
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Holiday Evening at Rock Ledge Ranch is today from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission $6 adults, $4 seniors and teens, $2 kids 6-12, free for children under 6. The ranch is at Gateway Road and 30th Street, across from the Garden of the Gods Nature and Visitors Center. Information: 719-578-6986
