Miramont Castle Museum & Victorian Tea Room
The Pikes Peak Region’s best kept secret
Miramont Castle was built by a French Priest, Jean Baptiste Francolon, as a private residence for him and his mother. They resided there for only a few years before returning to France. The Castle set vacant for four years when the Sisters of Mercy purchased it to use as a sanitarium. It was a sanitarium into the 1920’s then was used as a retreat for the Sisters. In 1946 it was sold into private hands and was converted to apartments for the military returning home from World War II. The Manitou Springs Historical Society purchased it in 1976. The Society has been working diligently to restore the Castle back to its original grandeur.
Because of its storied past there are many different types of exhibits in the Castle. Most of the rooms are set as though it was a private home during the Victorian times. It has many artifacts of a by-gone era. Since we are the Historical Society there are a number of exhibits covering the history of Manitou Springs. We partnered with the Manitou Springs Volunteer Fire Department and have a very extensive display of fire department memorabilia. When the military men that had lived here after the war heard about the museum they donated items for the exhibits that we call The Spoils of War and the Nurnberg War Trials. There are nine different architectural styles in Miramont, so it is very interesting to architects and builders. We even have a display on how the Castle was built showing the knob and tube wiring, plumbing, the lath and plaster walls and the tools they used.
One of the highlights of the Castle is the Queen’s Parlour Tearoom. It specializes in serving the most elegant teas. There is the High Tea which is a four course meal and a Light Victorian Tea which is a three course meal. Both of the Teas are meals not tastings and you will leave satisfied. There are 19 varieties of teas to choose from. We have elegant hats to be worn to enhance the experience. The Tea Room, also, offers lunches which are delightful. The Tearoom can accommodate both vegetarian and gluten free at a slight increase in cost.
