Rangely Outdoor Museum

09/11/2026

Our first official Domínguez Escalante Expedition Day and Highway Marker Rededication was very nice. It was wonderful to honor not only the brave men of the 1776 expedition, but also the preservationists who placed a memorial 75 years ago to the day. It was a beautiful evening. Thank you to Mayor Todd Thayne and Jeannie Caldwell from the Town of Rangely for presenting us with a framed copy of the Town Councils official declaration. Thank you to all of the people who were there to support our efforts.
The City of Spanish Fork UT sent a representative and a photographer to the museum today, sorry I didn’t get photos, but it’s because I was in all of the photos. When they send pics to me, I will post them. They had a really cool display.

09/09/2026

I hope everyone was able to visit the museum last Sunday for the Ice Cream Social, and I hope you were able to visit our new Domínguez Escalante Exhibit. Thank you so much to History Colorado, who’s $7,500 grant paid for the majority of the display and the parade activities. Huge Thank You to Dr. Lisa Jones and Jennifer Barker from Colorado Northwestern Community College, they funded and put together the map, frame and all. To all of the people who helped me with D&E research, Thank You.
The museum will be open for our D&E Expedition Day and highway marker re-dedication at 7:00pm tomorrow, and again on Thursday at 3:00 for the Spanish Fork UT traveling memorial, then we will be closed for the season.

09/07/2026

A huge Thank You to Wade Allred, C**t Allred, Jarrod Fiscus, and Connor Dastur, for representing the Dominguez/Escalante Expedition for the museum in this morning’s parade. Thank You to everyone who came to Sundays Ice Cream Social, and supported the Rangely Outdoor Museum! We are celebrating the official “Domínguez Escalante Expedition Day” on Wednesday the 9th, at 7:00pm. We will re-dedicate the roadside marker, across the highway from the museum, that was placed 75 years ago this year. We will have refreshments, and answer any questions that we can about the 1776 exhibition. On Thursday the 10th, representatives from the city of Spanish Fork Utah will be at the museum with a traveling memorial to the expedition, at 3:00pm.

09/05/2026

SEPTEMBERFEST is here once again, and this little town has a lot to celebrate. 250 years since the U.S.A declared independence, and The Dominguez/Escalante Expedition first mapped our little neck of the woods. 150 years since Colorado gained statehood, and 80 years since Rangely officially incorporated. We hope to see you all at tomorrow’s Ice cream Social. On Monday we will be riding as the Dominguez/Escalante Expedition in the parade, and will have a booth at Elks Park ( please stop by and say hi).
Wednesday the 9th, we will be re-dedicating the 75 year old D&E marker across the road from the museum at 7:00. And Thursday at 3:00 the city of Spanish Fork UT will be at the museum with a traveling commemoration of the 1776 exhibition.

08/22/2026

Wait a minute, we have more “ buildings” to talk about. While our Camp House brought out wonderful old memories, our little jail house most likely dredges up memories that would sooner be forgotten by those who had the misfortune to spend time there.
I was told recently that the jail once shared space with our antique fire truck ( it wasn’t an antique back then), and that it was a favorite place for the Army Recruiter to find volunteers. There’s a plaque on the front that tells when the jail was patented, extra points to the first person who replies with a picture of the plaque!

08/21/2026

🏛️ Become a Member of the Rangely Outdoor Museum!

Help us preserve local history for generations to come. Membership support directly funds exhibits, preservation, and programs that keep Rangely's story alive.

👉 Sign up today — link below!

Become a Rangely Outdoor Museum member and help keep our community’s history alive. Your membership supports the care of local artifacts, outdoor exhibits,…

08/21/2026

🚨 RAFFLE ALERT! 🚨
The Rangely Outdoor Museum's Annual Raffle is LIVE, and this year's prizes are ones you don't want to miss! 🇺🇸

🎟️ $25/ticket — buy 3 for a chance to win all 3 items!
What you could win:
🔫 Bond Arms 250th "Rough Series" Derringer (.45 C**t/.410 Bore) — donated by Big D's Oil Field Service
🛢️ Raven 1 oil pump jack centerpiece replica, one of only 50 made — donated by Diana Sizemore
🦌 Henry Golden Boy "Spirit of the Corps" Tribute Edition lever-action .22 r***e — donated by Heidi & Lonnie Yardley

💨 100% of proceeds go toward a updated HVAC system for the museum — help us keep our doors open and comfortable for the whole community!
📅 Drawing will be held once all 500 tickets are sold.

🍦 Catch us at the Ice Cream Social during Septemberfest — September 6th at 1PM — we'll have tickets available for purchase in person!

👉 You can also grab your tickets anytime by scanning the QR code on our flyer (https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/rangely-outdoor-museums-annual-raffle--2026) or stopping by the Rangely Outdoor Museum. Tickets will also be for sale at Rangely True Value.
Don't wait — tickets are going to go fast! 🎉

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08/20/2026

The museum is putting together a permanent Domínguez & Escalante Expedition exhibit, just inside the door of the 1913 school house. We hope to have it completed by Labor Day Weekend. Regardless of if the display is 100% done, it will still be worth a visit. 250 years is quite a milestone, and we believe it should be celebrated. Please take time to check it out when you are at the Ice Cream Social.

08/19/2026

250 years ago (1776) the Dominguez and Escalante Expedition spent the night of September 9th on the bank of the White River, as they were searching for a northern route to the newly established Mission Churches in Monterey California. This roadside marker commemorating the expedition, was placed 75 years ago by the citizens of Rangely and the Rio Blanco County Historical Society.
The Rangely City Council, at the request of the Rangely Outdoor Museum, has declared September 9th as the official Domínguez/Escalante Expedition Day henceforth.
We will be re-dedicating this roadside marker at 7:00p.m. on the evening of September 9th. The Rangely Outdoor Museum will have refreshments, and we will have a ceremony and presentation about the historic exhibition. We would like to welcome anyone interested in joining us.