When visiting Granada, make sure to stop by the Amache Museum for an educational yet sobering experience. Detailing the often forgotten history of “relocation centers” within the U.S., the Amache Museum houses artifacts from the 1940s in addition to offering guided tours to better explain the area’s dark past.
History
During WWII, President Franklin D Roosevelt initiated Executive Order 9066, which required Japanese-Americans living on the west coast to leave their homes and were forcibly moved to “relocation centers” like Camp Amache in Granada.
These “relocation centers” were functionally concentration camps, imprisoning those residing within them until the last one was closed in 1946. The site in Granada, Colorado was opened in the summer of 1942 and held over 7,000 internees at its peak.
Museum
The Amache Museum explains how this camp was formed and has dioramas of the original property and housing layout. Visitors can also get a glimpse into what daily life was like for the citizens who were sent there.
Inside the museum, there are artifacts and exhibits as well as a model room and gift shop. The actual site is located just west of town, and while only a few buildings remain, there are a few ruins, a water tower, a small cemetery, and a few monuments to observe.
If you’re looking to step back in time and learn about a tragic event within American history, visit the Amache Museum while exploring the town of Granada.
Details
Address: 205 E Goff Ave, Granada, CO 81041
Season: Summer
Hours: 5 days a week during summer | Available during the school year with a reservation
Website: amache.org