Visitor access to an outstanding collection of over 5,000 objects original to the site has been improved through newly developed "visible storage" located in the hotel's 1878 commercial kitchen. Hand-painted French tableware, common kitchen tools, and pressed glassware, once stored away and hidden from public view, now help convey the dramatic tale of hotel proprietor Louis Dupuy's rise from humble and hard-working labor camp cook to celebrated chef and renowned restaurateur.

"When the unpacked furnishings are seen by the public, they will easily discover why Hotel de Paris has been described as the most complete historic parcel in Colorado," reports the museum's executive director Kevin Kuharic. "Famous the wide world over," Hotel de Paris began in 1875 and is older than the State of Colorado itself. Dating from the state's silver mining boom, the property offered a first-class French restaurant, showrooms for traveling salesmen, and luxurious lodging. The idealized French inn catered to wealthy businessmen, railroad tycoons, mining investors, and outdoor adventure seekers during the Gilded Age.

A rich and storied past included visits from notable guests George and Jay Gould and such celebrated figures as the Countess Magri (the former Mrs. General Tom Thumb). However, after the Silver Panic of 1893, Hotel de Paris began a steady decline. In 1954, it was purchased and opened as a museum. Restored period rooms showcase the site's original furnishings, which are faithfully arranged. Visitors are immersed in a setting of authenticity, which provides a fascinating window into the lives of the hotel's proprietors, workers, builders, and guests.

The site is open daily May 28-September 30, and on weekends October-December 11. General admission is $7; discounts are available for youths, seniors, active military and their families, AAA, and members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Hotel de Paris Museum is situated at 409 6th Street, Georgetown, CO, 80444. ADA accessible. Gift shop. Free public parking is located next to the museum.