The Museum is housed in the 1882 Historic Chaffee County Courthouse. After the move of the county seat to Salida in the early 1930's, the building hosted the public school from the early 1930's to the early 1970's. In 1974, to preserve the historic building, Buena Vista Heritage was founded.

The Historic Turner Farm and Apple orchard are an example of the early homes in the Arkansas Valley at the turn of the twentieth century. From weddings, to reunions, the Turner Farm offers an outdoor venue for rentals, and hosts the annual Apple Fest living history day the second Saturday in September. In addition, we hold the Friday and the Farm Concert Series each Friday over the Summer from 6 pm - 8 pm.

The Depot & Transportation Museum show the importance of our rail systems and stagecoach history that created Buena Vista. In 2010 the Depot and Caboose were opened in McPhelemy Park to educate the public about our exciting transportation past.