The Mt. Sopris Historical Society
A brief history
WHO WE ARE
The Mt. Sopris Historical Society (MSHS)
was chartered in 1984, by a group of concerned
citizens, some of them descendants from
original homesteading families, who felt an
urgent need to preserve Carbondale’s historic
buildings and stories of its early residents.
OUR MISSION
To preserve the Thompson House and
other MSHS assets and to educate the public
by bringing to life the stories of families,
ranchers, merchants and miners who built
their lives in the Roaring Fork and Crystal
River Valleys, by collaborating with regional
groups in promoting cultural heritage
tourism and by celebrating the legacy of
our community heritage.
OUR VISION
To preserve and communicate the enduring
story of the people drawn to live in the
Roaring Fork and Crystal River Valleys.
OUR ASSETS
MSHS own and operates the Historic
Log Cabin and the Old Jailhouse and is the
steward of the Thompson House Museum.
MSHS owns and cares for the contents of the
Thompson House Museum and other artifacts
and archives donated by the community.
MSHS also maintains a research library
comprised of local history books, memoirs
and narratives.