Learn with Us
The Montezuma Heritage Museum is available to host field trips for students of all ages! Our staff and volunteer educators strive to make our historical tours fun, informative, and age-appropriate for up to 40 students at a time.
Welcome Educators
The Montezuma Heritage Museum can help supplement your classroom curriculum through self-guided and guided school tours as well as customized programs. These offerings address Colorado Department of Education Academic Standards and 21st Century Learning & Innovation Skills.
The following is a list of the areas covered by our current exhibits:
- First There Was the Land, Geology, Biology, Chemistry
- The Earliest People on The Land, Chemistry, Biology, Oral History
- Living Off the Land, Mathematics, Geology, Economics
- Towns And Communities, Sociology, Economics, Cultural History
- Making A House A Home, Culture, Sociology, Technology
- The Ute Mountain Utes, Oral History, Culture, Sociology
- Meet Some Remarkable People, Archaeologists, Outlaws, Businessmen
- Together They Served, Military History feat. Local Veterans
- Today & Tomorrow, Legacy of Technology
- Sundance Room For Meetings and Events
Guided School Tours
School tours can be booked during museum operating hours, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM, and must be arranged at least two weeks in advance. Customized programs should be scheduled at least one month in advance. To book a school tour at the Montezuma Heritage Museum, please fill out the Field Trip Request Form or email the Executive Director for more information.
Self-Guided School Tours
Self-guided tours are available for grades K–12 and college groups and can be led by teachers, homeschool parents, or community group leaders. We strongly encourage anyone leading a self-guided tour to visit the museum before their scheduled visit to plan the tour. To book your visit, please fill out and submit a Field Trip Request Form. Looking for special activities to use during your visit? Let us know in your request form and staff can share activity and resource suggestions.
Cost
Discounted Admission of $4/student*
Chaperones FREE
*Through generous funding from the El Pomar Foundation, the Montezuma Heritage Museum is able to waive school visit fees and reimburse transportation costs for field trips in 2026. Waived fees and transportation reimbursement will be available on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted. See transportation reimbursement guidelines below.
Bus Reimbursement Guidelines for El Pomar Funds (based on local transportation quote of $1.95/mile)
< 50 miles           Reimbursement of transportation costs up to $250
51-100 miles     Reimbursement of transportation costs up to $500
> 101 miles        Reimbursement of transportation costs of $100
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn about our latest offerings and opportunities, read the latest Educator Newsletter.
Guided tours, self-guided tours, and customized programs are offered Tuesday – Friday, from 10 AM to 4 PM, or by special appointment for earlier start times.
Yes, all groups must schedule their visits at least two weeks to one month ahead of time depending on their needs. Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make reservations early!
The Museum can accommodate up to 40 students at a time. Large groups, self-guided groups, and customized programs may require breaking out into smaller sections.
The museum’s Sundance Room, which is used for events and programs, is available as a space for 40 students or less to eat indoors, while nearby city parks make an excellent outdoor space for students to eat lunch in good weather. If you choose to eat lunch at the Montezuma Heritage Museum, plan to eat picnic-style on the ground. You must make arrangements for your students to eat lunch at the Museum at the time of your booking. Without prior notice we do not guarantee the availability of lunch facilities.
Yes, the Museum galleries are wheelchair accessible. Please inform us when booking your tour if any of your students require accommodations.
Yes. Parking information and directions will be sent to you along with your tour confirmation materials.
Please email the Executive Director as soon as possible. Voicemail is available 24 hours a day at 970-516-1100.
Internships & Teen Opportunities
In addition to school visits, the museum offers internships for local students interested in museum work and local history.
Interns work alongside professional museum staff and experienced volunteers, gaining hands-on experience in collections care, exhibit development, public programming, historical research, and local history. These opportunities help students build resumes, develop professional skills, and fulfill requirements for programs such as the National Honor Society or college-level internships.
In 2025, the museum launched its first Teen Team, supported by the El Pomar Foundation. The program encourages teen engagement with museums, strengthens community connections, and builds professional skills. It includes a 4-week summer intensive and a personal project created during the school year.
Interested in interning? Email us at execdirector@montezumamuseum.org to learn more.
Program Goal | Selected teens will participate in this school-year-long experience, gaining behind-the-scenes access to the museum, learning from staff and community partners, and developing a personal project focused on engaging teens, youth, and families.
Eligible Participants | Sophomores through seniors who are locally homeschooled or enrolled full-time in a Montezuma or Dolores County school during the 2026–2027 school year.
Applications Due | September 11, 2026
Program Schedule | Meet most Fridays, September–May, for 3–4 hours.
Added Collaboration | The museum will arrange to visit other local educational and cultural organizations (Galloping Goose Historical Society, Cortez Public Library, Cortez Cultural Center, etc.), to introduce the teens to other non-profits programs and partnerships.
Participants Will Receive:
- Intern Stipend of $1,250
- Hands-on training in museum work, from collections care to public programming.
- Letter of Recommendation for future jobs, internships, scholarships, and more.
- Connection to your local community!
What will teens be doing during this year-long program?
- Learning the basics of collections care, from handling to cataloging
- Cleaning and photographing historic collections
- Helping prepare for public programs
Assisting with exhibit installation - Greeting museum guests
- & MORE!
What kind of project might I choose?
As you get to know the museum and explore your interests, you’ll develop a project that connects with teens, families, and/or community partners. Possible projects include:
- Short-term exhibit — Research, design, and help create an exhibit
- Public programming — Design hands-on activities, workshops, or other programs
- Public tour — Research and develop a tour that the museum can offer
- Collections care project — Help improve the care, organization, or accessibility of a collection
- Your own creative idea — Develop another project that connects local history with your interests and community
Who will I be working with?
Along with fellow teen team members, you will be working closely with the Montezuma Heritage Museum’s Executive Director, Liz Quinn MacMillan. Liz has over 18 years of museum experience and has worked with and trained many high school and college interns.
You’ll also have opportunities to learn from museum staff, local mentors, and community partners throughout the program.
What if I can’t make all of the dates?
Don’t let that stop you from considering the program! We understand that students may get sick or have other commitments come up. Just communicate with us as soon as possible, and we’ll work with you to make up missed time when possible.
More questions? Call Liz at (970) 516 – 1100 or email execdirector@montezumamuseum.org