Arvada Historical Society

10/13/2026

The Flour Mill will be open Saturdays and Mondays 11am - 1pm, from October 24 to November 30, for those who wish to come see the quilts on display as part of the Threads of Arvada community quilting challenge. We are one of seven display locations in Arvada.

For info on all the locations, go to arvadaco.gov/quiltproject.

Yes, that is Lois Lindstrom in the pictured quilt!

10/13/2026

The Greater Arvada Chamber volunteers pitched in to help clean up the back yard of the Flour Mill. Plenty of weeds, trash and dead growth to remove and an unruley elm tree to trim. They finished up by adding some fall festivity to the fences.

Many thanks to them and the Chamber for including us.

10/03/2026

Fun and busy day at the Flour Mill today taking in all the quilts entering the Community Quilt Challenge! The creativity, craftsmanship and community spirit in this project is unbelievable. Though I didn't see them all, the quilts really give you insight to what is important and notable to Arvadans. Really happy to see Lois Lindstrom (our founder) pop up on a few!

Hope you find time to see them on display at the seven locations from October 21 (or Nov 1 for Standley Lake Library) to December 5. Opening reception on October 21 at 6pm at the Arvada Historical Society Museum at the Arvada Center.

Information at arvadaco.gov/quiltproject.

Many thanks to the volunteers, especially Lauren, who made this project exceed all expectations!

09/30/2026

🍂 Autumn Sidewalk Sale at McIlvoy House! 🍂

It’s time for a little fall treasure hunting in Olde Town Arvada! Stop by and browse our changing assortment of repurposed goods and gently used items ready for a new home—including some great finds for kids and inexpensive gifts.

📅 Friday, October 2 & Friday, October 9
⏰ 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
📍 McIlvoy House
7307 Grandview Avenue, Olde Town Arvada

Come find a treasure, say hello, and support the Arvada Historical Society. You never know what might be waiting for you!

** Sale is weather permitting **

09/26/2026

23rd Annual Arvada Historical Society Cemetery Tour
Step into history with the Arvada Historical Society
TODAY
Saturday, September 26
8:30–11:30 a.m.
📍 Arvada Cemetery, 5581 Independence St., Arvada

This year’s special tour honors Native American Chiefs, sharing the stories of Sitting Bull, Black Kettle, Dull Knife, Little Raven and Ouray and exploring the history that came long before Colorado—and Arvada

Come walk with us, hear their stories, and experience history in a unique setting. $20 AHS Members | $25 Non-Members | Children 10 & under FREE.
📍 Arvada Cemetery, 5581 Independence St., Arvada

Many paths. One shared history.

09/24/2026

🌾 LAST CALL TO “MILL AROUND!” — ONE FINAL SUNDAY!

Don’t let the season roll by without stepping inside one of Arvada’s most unique historic treasures! This Sunday, September 27, is the final Flour Mill Tour day of the season, with guided tours at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM—grab a friend, enjoy a beautiful fall weekend, and experience a little Arvada history along the way.

🎟 Members $5 | Advance $8 | Door $10
👧 Kids under 16 FREE
📍 Arvada Flour Mill - 5590 Wadsworth Blvd.
Tickets on site at door, on line below, or at Carly's Boutique 7401 Grandview Ave.

✨ Bring a friend and come “mill around” with us

FREE parking in RTD transit hub directly next to the Mill

👉 Click to get your tickets today - www.arvadahistoricalsociety.org

08/29/2026

The Flour Mill will be closed on Sunday, August 30. We will be back the four Sundays in September to close out the summer tour season. Tours start at 10 and 11am each Sunday. Advance tickets are available at www.arvadahistoricalsociety.org.

Hope to see you in September!

08/25/2026

Yay Mary Jo!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/199Zkioe29/

🌻 Meet Mary Jo Giddings, one of our very first Bronze Arvada Police Foundation members!

For more than five decades, Mary Jo has poured her heart into Arvada. She volunteered at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities since its doors first opened in 1976, served on the board of the Arvada Historical Society, given her time to the Arvada Vitality Alliance, and organized Arvada's beloved Garden Tours. Generations of neighbors know her as one of the keepers of our city's story.

Her service hasn't gone unnoticed: Mary Jo is a former Arvada Woman of the Year and a recipient of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce's rare Pioneer Award, reserved for those who have shaped this community in lasting ways. As she once said, volunteering makes our lives "richer, more meaningful, more joyful."

Now she stands with our officers as a charter Bronze member of the Arvada Police Foundation, and we are proud and honored to have her with us. Thank you, Mary Jo, for a lifetime of showing up for Arvada and for your support of our Arvada Police and the Arvada Police Foundation. 💙

➡️ Interested in becoming an Arvada Police Foundation Member? https://www.arvadapolicefoundation.org/join

08/07/2026

🛒 Arvada History Throwback Thursday: The First King Soopers!

Did you know the very first King Soopers opened right here in Arvada?

On June 16, 1947, founder Lloyd King opened his first King Soopers market in the new Ashton Building at Church and Alder Streets—today’s W. 57th Avenue and Webster Street in Olde Town Arvada.

The market was 4,500 square feet and opened with 11 full-time employees. Lloyd King was an innovator, introducing something shoppers take for granted today: self-service packaged meat displayed in refrigerated cases.

The Olde Town store served the community from 1947 to 1957. A new King Soopers later opened at W. 58th Avenue and Independence Street, and many more followed. Today, King Soopers is part of Kroger.

🏪 From one neighborhood market in Arvada to a name known across Colorado and the U.S. —that’s quite an Arvada story!

Do you remember shopping at an early King Soopers? What do you remember most? Share your memories or photos with us!

07/11/2026

Our AHS Allen House will be closed on Monday, July 13, 2026

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. All our other AHS facility hours remain unchanged, and we look forward to welcoming you back at the Allen House during regular hours next Friday, July 17 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Thank you for your continued support—we can’t wait to see you soon at any of our great Historical Society venues!