As more and more historic properties were demolished in the 1960s, a group of preservation-minded Denver citizens joined efforts in 1970 to rescue the home of Titanic survivor Margaret Tobin Brown. The group incorporated as Historic Denver, Inc. and began major restoration efforts in order to return the home’s interior and exterior to its early 20th century grandeur. Guided tours of the Museum reach an average of 45,000 visitors a year, sharing the story of Margaret "Molly" Brown and Denver history. It is our mission "to inspire courage, conviction and proactive change in the spirit of Margaret Brown."
The Molly Brown House Museum is one of only a few history organizations in Denver to provide both on-site and off-site educational programming. The education programs at the Museum happen both on-site and travel to schools, libraries and after-school programs. On-site programs include guided tours of Margaret “Molly” Brown’s 1889 home, an environmental theater program that brings Victorian literature to life, and etiquette teas that educate students about the cultural customs of the Victorian era. Off-site traveling programs range in topic from mining, the industrial revolution, the science of restoration, and civic activism. These programs bring artifacts and primary sources into the classroom and help students learn by providing an interactive hands-on experience. Each of these programs align with Colorado State Standards.
The Museum’s educational programming has become increasingly popular as Historic Denver is the one of the only organizations with the capacity to travel to classrooms across the metro-area. We have also become a go-to resource for teachers because of our ability to structure programs to fit classroom content and because we provide direct access to our full-time educator, who both schedules activities and facilitates them with the support of volunteers. With school budgets cuts, our programs, and the quality of our educational support, need to remain a valuable option for teachers. The Molly Brown House Museum has made a significant commitment to keeping our programs accessible. Currently, 50% of the schools served by these programs include students that receive free and reduced lunches, and nearly 20% of the schools have more than 25% of the student body receiving free and reduced lunch.
Since opening the Museum, Historic Denver has worked to save countless other Denver landmarks and increase public awareness of Denver’s unique historic structures. Historic Denver has a more broadly based mission and over the years has worked to provide direct preservation services to historic properties, offer technical assistance, advocate for threatened resources and serve as a voice for the preservation community. Historic Denver operates a Sacred Landmarks Preservation Program, the Urban Living Program, and a new history experience for visitors, the Denver Story Trek. Historic Denver also works as an advocate in the community, supporting neighborhoods interested in preserving the character of our built environment and promoting the value of historic preservation as a key element of economic growth and community revitalization.
