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Three mules for Trinidad

by Bill Knowles

TRINIDAD — The last two statues of three mules commissioned by the Trinidad Miner’s Memorial Museum have arrived. They are joining the first mule, who arrived two months ago, in the fenced off grassy area at the back of the public parking lot adjacent to the Miner’s Memorial at Convent and Main streets.

“This is Ollie and Olaf, they are joining Odie,” said Yolanda Romero. She and her husband, Mike, have been working over the past 20 years, raising funds to build up the Miner’s Memorial Museum. “The first mule, Ollie, was donated by Tommy Hay, and the other two were purchased from funds donated by many people in Trinidad.” Mrs. Romero said. Odie is the smaller of the three.

Mike and Yolanda want to build a replica of a wooden mule barn at the back of the display. They also hope to brick in some of the area using historical bricks that were dug up during the recent Commercial Street redesign.

“We are looking at a possible opening date in April for the museum,” Mr. Romero said. The project has come a long way over the past 20 years, with the past year seeing the most forward movement of the project. The building housing the museum still needs some electrical work.

Several paintings by artist Lindsay Hand, depicting the Ludlow Massacre and the Southern Colorado Miner’s Strike, have been purchased by the City of Trinidad and placed on permanent display in the museum. In the basement area, an interactive replica of a coal mine is being planned. “Kids can take an 80 foot ride in a coal car,” said Romero. They will be able to experience the feeling of the darkness of dark that miner’s felt each day they entered a coal mine.

From L to R: Alex Wolf Gerardo, Yolanda Romero, and Mike Romero. Behind the fence are the mules L to R: Odie, Ollie and Olaf. Photo by Bill Knowles.
From L to R: Alex Wolf Gerardo, Yolanda Romero, and Mike Romero. Behind the fence are the mules L to R: Odie, Ollie and Olaf. Photo by Bill Knowles.

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