Buena Vista Heritage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to preserving and sharing the history of Buena Vista, Chaffee County, and the Upper Arkansas Valley. Through education, conservation, historic preservation, and community involvement, the organization works to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of local history for current and future generations.
The organization manages several significant historical and cultural destinations throughout Buena Vista. The Historic Chaffee County Courthouse, built in 1882 and now home to the Buena Vista Heritage Museum, serves as a centerpiece of local history and preservation. Once a center of local government and later a public school, the courthouse was saved from demolition in 1974 and continues to undergo restoration and preservation efforts.
Buena Vista Heritage also oversees the Historic Turner Farm & Apple Orchard, a preserved early-1900s homestead that serves as a community gathering place and event venue. The property hosts annual traditions including Apple Fest and the Friday at the Farm Concert Series, offering opportunities to experience local agriculture, history, music, and culture.
Additional attractions include the Depot & Caboose Museum, which highlights the transportation history that helped shape Buena Vista and the Arkansas Valley, and the Buena Vista Model Railroad exhibit, featuring more than 400 hand-built structures recreating historical communities, railroads, mining towns, and landscapes throughout the region.
Through museum exhibits, educational programming, historical preservation projects, community events, volunteer opportunities, venue rentals, and public outreach, Buena Vista Heritage helps preserve Chaffee County's unique cultural heritage while creating meaningful connections between the past and present.
Hours of Operation:
Historic Chaffee County Courthouse & Buena Vista Heritage Museum
506 E. Main Street, Buena Vista, CO
Open Daily: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Turner Farm & Apple Orchard
829 W. Main Street, Buena Vista, CO
Open Saturdays: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Open Sundays: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (during Farmers Market season)
Reopening June 6, 2026
Depot & Caboose Museum
116 U.S. Highway 24 North, Buena Vista, CO
Open Thursday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Open Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM