Whether you’re looking for a relaxing activity to supplement a day full golf or simply for a break between meetings, The Penrose Heritage Museum here at The Broadmoor is a great place to visit. This is especially true with its recent addition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb museum.
The Penrose Heritage Museum introduces The Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum featuring 4,000 sq. ft. of artifacts and memorabilia from the history of The Broadmoor’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Included in the collection is the first motorized vehicle to climb the mountain and digitized video dating back to the first running in 1916 that tells the story of the race and the Pikes Peak Highway. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb addition adds even more unique historical relics to the museum.
The design of the new Pikes Peak International Hill Climb wing was developed with the idea of the winding road and increasing elevation that the Hill Climb race is known for.
There are countless cars in this new exhibit. From the cars that Spencer Penrose used for the first hill climb all the way to a few different vehicles from different classes that have been used in recent years.
There are interesting pieces to this museum that are sure to draw in those who love cars and love racing. For instance, a Ducati Multistrada is displayed that was the first bike to finish the race under the 10-minute mark is here as well as the vehicle that crashed off of Devil’s Playground in 2012 where both drivers miraculously walked away.
The museum also brings new ideas in the way of displaying vehicles. One hangs suspended from the ceiling attached to two rails that mimic a road. Another defies gravity by being bolted to a wall.
As you walk down the stairs to end your tour you walk into a “garage” of sorts that will have parts a mechanic would use in past car garages as well as the present. Currently within the garage is a race car simulator that allows visitors to take their shot at race car driving. It gives all the thrill of driving a race car with the safety of a controlled enviroment.
Once the thrill of driving has worn off you make your way to the exit to see pipes displaying every year of the Hill Climb. The red writing marks when a Hill Climb record was broken.
The Heritage Museum that displays The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb adds to the rich history of Colorado Springs and is a museum that uniquely finds a way to educate its guests on the amazing history of the Hill Climb.
The museum is free and is open Monday – Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm. It is located next to Broadmoor Hall and the Summit Restaurant.