Working to Preserve an Important Heritage

The Berthoud Historical Society (BHS) is an educational non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the town of Berthoud, the Little Thompson Valley area, Colorado and the surrounding region. We accomplish our mission by: maintaining the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum and the McCarty-Fickel Home; preserving historic structures; collecting applicable archival material; publishing papers; collecting; conserving; exhibiting; and interpreting appropriate artifacts and reproductions; developing and presenting a variety of educational programs for schools and the general public; and placing local history into a regional, national, and international context.

Mission Statement

The Berthoud Historical Society believes that it is essential to discover, interpret, and preserve the history of the town of Berthoud, the Little Thompson Valley area, Colorado and the surrounding region to enable current and future residents to learn about the area’s original and ongoing development. The Society will establish and maintain museum properties, build creative exhibits, and hold meetings and activities for the education and recreation of its members and visitors.

The Society was organized in 1976 when Dr. R.B. Fickel, Mayor of Berthoud, invited interested persons to meet for the purpose of forming a local historical society. On February 22, 1977, the Berthoud Historical Society came into existence when it was made a corporation by the State of Colorado.

The founders and members of the first board of directors were Dr. Helen Fickel, Dr. R.B. Fickel, Harold Gustafson, O.D. Mayo, Frances Nielson and Al Schmidt. The Fickels were instrumental in securing the historic A.G. Bimson blacksmith shop at 228 Mountain Ave. to serve as the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum.

The operation of the Berthoud Historical Society is financed through membership dues, donations collected from visitors, monetary gifts, and fundraising events. The 12-member board of directors meets monthly. A quarterly newsletter, “The Berthoud History News,” is published to inform members about upcoming events and activities.

The Society operates the Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum and the McCarty-Fickel Home house museum and holds meetings and activities for the education and recreation of its members and visitors.