Contermporary architecture and Colorado history blend at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center.  Located at 400 Quail Road in a still-developing part of southern Longmont, the Museum features exhibits that explore the history and culture of the St. Vrain Valley.
The best way to tour this museum is to start at the top, literally. The Longs Peak Room, located in a round tower above the lobby, not only has a great view of the Rockies to the west, but looks east to the still-active agricultural fields that were the core of Longmont's economy for many years. Books, games and Discovery Drawers in the Longs Peak Room provide a good overview of the history of Longmont. 
Heading down to the second floor, the Museum's Archives are a place to lose yourself in research -- browse the Museum's 7,000 historic photographs, read the letters of an early settler, or look up a map. Archives hours are limited, call 303 651-8969 for information.
The main exhibit galleries are on the first floor. The Museum's long-term exhibit History Under Construction explores the history of Longmont through a selection of the Museum's artifact collections, including a late 19th-century buggy, an old-time kitchen and grocery store, and an air traffic control unit from one of Longmont's first high-tech employers, the Federal Aviation Administration. For a sneak preview of the future of the Museum, check out the History Lab, where future interactive exhibits are being tested.
The Museum's special exhibit gallery changes every 2-3 months, with a diverse selection of history, local and national art, and hands-on exhibits. In 2006, the Museum begins with an exhibit of 25 unusual and interesting motorcycles, then brings in a national show of American Indian baskets, and then an exhibit of paintings to fool the eye, called Trompe L'Oeil.
Admission to the Museum is free. For more information, call 303 651-8374 or visit our website, www.ci.longmont.co.us/museum. Museum hours are Tues 9-5, Wed. 9-8, Thur-Sat 9-5, and Sunday 1-5.