The SLV Museum Association supports its 20 museum members in southern Colorado.
The Valley is the location of many of Colorado's "Firsts and Oldest:" The oldest town - San Luis; first and oldest water rights (People's Ditch); oldest continuously operated business (R&R Market); oldest church building (Mission of San Acacio); oldest parish (Our Lady of Guadalupe); first military fort and first weather station (Fort Massachusetts); oldest still-standing fort (Fort Garland); Colorado's first Lieutenant Governor (Lafayette Head); first and oldest Veterans Home (Homelake Veteran's Home); first Hispanic-serving designated college in Colorado - Adams State University; Oldest Pro Rodeo (Ski-Hi Stampede); path of the oldest migratory bird (Sandhill Crane Festival); oldest potato-growing area; and the oldest hot-lead printing press (the Saguache Crescent). The Valley is also home to Colorado's tallest dunes - the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Come out and step into Colorado history. Visit our museums for more of our rich history.
