Central City: Opera, Culture and History

Opera and Summer Festival

The Central City Opera House was built in 1878 by Welsh and Cornish miners. The Central City Opera Summer Festival takes place in a 550-seat opera house and draws visitors from across the country and abroad. For planning your visit, the summer timing offers a practical point of reference: if you want the festival to be part of your stay, check the event dates for your travel dates. This lets you schedule your cultural outing before searching for a hotel.

Church, Public Buildings and Tours

St. James Methodist Church was dedicated in 1872 and is the oldest continuously operating Protestant church in Colorado. Washington Hall in Central City is the oldest continuously used public building in the state of Colorado. Washington Hall houses the Gilpin County Arts Association Gallery and the Gilpin Historical Society tour office. The Arts Association presents changing exhibitions there throughout the year; the program may change. Tours of the Thomas House are offered through Washington Hall. Tour arrangements may also change; if you are planning to see a particular exhibition or take a specific tour, check in advance for the latest information.

Museum and Historic Cultural Sites

The Gilpin History Museum features exhibits about life and people in Gilpin County from the 1860s to the present day. It is located in Central City's two-story schoolhouse, whose construction began in 1869. A Mountain Submarine is also on display there. The Teller House is an 80-room building constructed in 1872; much of its furnishings are original. The print shop in the Masonic Building houses historic printing equipment, including a Chicago Taylor Press and an extensive collection of type. The “Face on the Barroom Floor” has been preserved and is cherished; viewing it is considered a Colorado tradition. At the Hidee Gold Mine, instruction and equipment are included; visitors can find real gold ore and gemstones there. The Hidee Gold Mine includes historic mining ruins dating from the Colorado Gold Rush of 1859. Check the latest information before visiting.

Explore Central City on Foot

The free, self-guided walking tour of historic Central City begins at the Teller House, 120 Eureka Street. It covers approximately half a mile and takes about 45 minutes. The named starting point and approximate time frame give your self-guided exploration a specific place in your day’s itinerary. The self-guided city walk and the Thomas House tours offered through Washington Hall are two different ways to visit. By road, Central City can be reached via Interstate 70 and the Central City Parkway, Exit 243.

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View the broader travel overview: Gilpin County.