Ouray Always Had a Band

The above photo shows the Ouray Band, circa 1900, on the front steps of the county court house. Before radio, before amplified music, if you wanted to have a dance, you needed a live band. Bands were social institutions in themselves and contributed greatly to the life of the community. The hospital had a dumb waiter system. This remembrance of Ouray's bands is housed in it. You will see some old instrument inside the display case and a phonograph on a stand in front of the exhibit.
The museum has four early phonographs models on display which were used by music lovers in lieu of live music early in the 20th century. You can see other artifacts from the band era in your tour of the museum when you arrive at the Gold Belt Theater display on the first floor.