A Brief History of the Old Trails Museum

Owned and operated by the Winslow Historical Society, the Old Trails Museum originally operated as the Winslow branch of the Navajo County Historical Society. The Board of the Winslow branch incorporated as the Winslow Historical Society in 1997, and a dedicated group of staff, Board members, and volunteers continue to improve the museum’s historic building and develop exhibits that interpret Winslow’s diverse history.

Built in 1921, the museum building at 212 North Kinsley Avenue originally housed a series of financial institutions, including the Union Bank and Trust (1921-1924), First National Bank of Winslow (1924-1946), Valley National Bank (1946-1950), First State Savings and Loan (1951-1958), and Western Savings and Loan (1958 -1985). Western Savings and Loan donated the building to the Navajo County Historical Society in 1985.

After four years of building improvements and artifact donations from Winslow residents, the Old Trails Museum held its grand opening in July 1989. The bank’s original marble-faced counters, mosaic tile floor, and vault provide a historic backdrop for the museum’s exhibits and collections. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Winslow Commercial Historic District in 1989 and on its own in 2020.

The Old Trails Museum is also featured on the “Historic Winslow” Walking Tour, a partnership between the Winslow Historic Preservation Commission and the Winslow Public Library. Visitors to Winslow’s historic downtown can reach the museum’s walking-tour page by scanning the QR code in the OTM Front Window.