Kauffman House Museum, Grand Lake Colorado

The Kauffman House Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of the motivation of its original owner and its architecture. Ezra Kauffman was one of many who moved west to the Grand Lake community to seek out its opportunities in mining, fishing, trapping, and tourism.

The Kauffman House was built in 1892 and open as a hotel until 1946. It was then sold to Henry Rhone who preserved the hotel rooms for friends, family, and people who worked for them. Grand Lake Area Historical Society bought the Kauffman House in 1973, preserved its structure as the oldest log hotel in Grand Lake, and turned it into a museum. The Historical Society built on additional galleries for its expanding exhibits. Exhibits today hold artifacts like old skis and winter clothing, photos, kerosene lamps, and old photos.

Ezra Kauffman cut and hauled his own logs to build a two story log structure known today as the Kauffman House Museum. He used sand and cement as caulking, lined the inner walls with metal, muslin, and finally wallpaper. For its time, the Kauffman house was modern, fully equipped with an ice chest, kerosene lights, and running water. Every Christmas, ice was carefully measured and cut from the frozen Grand Lake and stored in an ice chest near the lakeshore. It was used during the summer for making drinks cold and to freeze ice cream for special occasions.

The Kauffman House Museum is located on Pitkin Street and Lake Avenue, along the beach, in Grand Lake, Colorado. It is open during the summer months.

For hours and details, visit the Kauffman House website.