Pueblo Heritage Museum Celebrates Black Community's Legacy

New exhibit highlights the pivotal role of Black residents in shaping Pueblo's history.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:07am

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The Pueblo Heritage Museum is opening a new exhibit titled "Building Pueblo, A Legacy of Black Communities" that showcases the significant contributions of Black people in making Pueblo the city it is today. The exhibit features the history of Jim Beckwourth, a fur trapper who opened a trading post that would eventually become the famous El Pueblo fur trading post. The museum's executive director, John Wendtz, emphasizes that Pueblo's history is inextricably linked to its Black community.

Why it matters

This exhibit shines a light on the often overlooked or underappreciated role that Black residents have played in the development and history of Pueblo. By highlighting these stories, the museum aims to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the diverse tapestry that makes up Pueblo's past and present.

The details

The new exhibit at the Pueblo Heritage Museum opens on Thursday with a free ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. The exhibit will showcase the people, places, and events that were instrumental in shaping Pueblo, including the story of Jim Beckwourth, a fur trapper who opened a trading post that would eventually become the famous El Pueblo fur trading post.

  • The new exhibit "Building Pueblo, A Legacy of Black Communities" opens on Thursday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Pueblo Heritage Museum

A museum in Pueblo, Colorado that is opening a new exhibit celebrating the legacy of Black communities in the city's history.

John Wendtz

The executive director of the Pueblo Heritage Museum, who emphasizes that Pueblo's history is inextricably linked to its Black community.

Jim Beckwourth

A fur trapper who opened a trading post in Pueblo that would eventually become the famous El Pueblo fur trading post, and is featured in the museum's new exhibit.

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What they’re saying

“It is fundamental to say that Pueblo's history is Black history. It started with a fur trapper, Jim Beckworth, who we feature in this exhibit, who came here to open a trading post which would eventually become El Pueblo, the famous fur trading post up the street from us, where the museum is.”

— John Wendtz, Executive Director, Pueblo Heritage Museum

The takeaway

This new exhibit at the Pueblo Heritage Museum serves as an important reminder of the vital contributions that Black residents have made to the history and development of Pueblo. By highlighting these stories, the museum aims to foster a greater appreciation for the diverse tapestry that makes up the city's past and present.