Photo above: World's Largest Public Key Collection. Hundreds of keys with labels are hung from the rafters in the Baldpate Inn's famous Key Room. Photo: Nora Lockshin/Wikipedia

"Baldpate Inn boasts its easy access to adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park…and a key collection to rival any other. The Estes Park hotel houses the largest public key collection in the world, the Silly America reports..

"They currently have over 20,000 keys from all over the world. In their key room you’ll find keys that open some of the most interesting locks in the world including Mozart’s wine cellar, Frankenstein’s Castle, Westminster Abbey, and the White House bathroom. Visitors can donate their own keys to the collection!"

"Featured in the key room are keys to a variety of European hotspots, including Westminster Abbey, Mozart’s wine cellar, Frankenstein’s Castle, and Adolf Hitler’s bunker. There is an extensive U.S. collection as well, with keys from the Pentagon and the White House bathroom, and the international collection includes a key to a Peruvian monastery and a key made in Egypt, the Atlas Obscura reports..

"If you look closer, keys from even more precarious circumstances can be found. There are keys to robbed banks, the dressing rooms of Hollywood actors, and yes, a piano key. Most of the keys in the collection have been donated by guests who stayed at the inn, spanning a wide variety of states and countries. If you visit, you can make a donation too!

"The Baldpate Inn was established in 1917 by brothers Charles and Gordon Mace. The hotel’s name and the idea for a key collection came from Seven Keys to Baldpate, a mystery novel written in 1913 about a man who visits the then-fictional Baldpate Inn to find some peace and seclusion. Unbeknownst to this man, six other characters also have a key, and they promptly open to door to the inn and distract him."

"The Baldpate Inn is the historic name of a hotel located in Estes Park, Colorado, with designations on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. The property has changed hands several times, always under a private family's proprietorship. In 2020, the property was purchased and the name changed to the Seven Keys Lodge by the new owners.

"The hotel was founded in 1917 by Anglo-American brothers Charles Mace (combat and commercial photographer, 1889-1973), and Gordon Mace, and their families. The Inn is known especially two reasons: the hotel was named for the popular mystery novel, play and films Seven Keys to Baldpate by Earl Derr Biggers, and was eventually accepted to be the "true" Baldpate by the author. While the hotel originally gave away keys as curios, today it is known for its collection of more than 20,000 keys, usual, unusual and figurative, that have been offered to the inn by visitors, hotel guests, and dignitaries from all over the world.
A sampling of the keys hung from the ceiling in the Key Room at The Baldpate Inn.

"Keys are cataloged in a database, supported by a grant from American History Savers and maintained by rotating curators who offer insight into the collections through a lecture series and blog."  (Wikipedia)

"I spent several hours here and was just completely fascinated. Although it does not appear to be organized initially, the keys are meticulously categorized and numbered like at the library. The "famous" keys are in display cases, and thousand of other keys are organized by state. It's easy to lose track of time browsing the keys, the Roadside America reports..

"The actual Inn has a homey feel and there is a restaurant that was pretty poppin' for a late Sunday afternoon. I don't know what they had cooked up but it smelled delightful and promising. There is a huge patio with rockers and swinging benches with hummingbird feeders and the loveliest view.

"Absolutely fantastic! World's largest key collection with specimens from all over the world. Keys from famous places and familiar faces. We stopped by there and heard some great stories from members of the local historical society. Our three teenage kids loved it, too! Guests are invited to leave a key of their own (which of course, we did). And the Key Room is free! If you are interested in history...or keys...or oddballs bits of trivia, This stop is well worth your while!"

"Seven Keys Lodge, formerly known as The Baldpate Inn has been a piece of Estes Park history since 1917. Thanks to The Mace and Smith families for their dedicated efforts to create such a captivating place to come visit and stay," the official website says.

"We have opened our cabins for rentals, beginning the first weekend in June, and we are excited to announce the Grand Opening of the ‘Seven Keys Tasting Room’, which will be located in the historic Key Room.

"While there you can either enjoy your coffee in the morning or a cocktail at night while you take in the 30,000 keys that hang from the beams and walls. Also, keep an eye on our ‘Seven Keys Mercantile’ as we are adding items daily to commemorate your trip to the Rocky Mountains."

"Formerly known as the Baldpate Inn, Seven Keys is a historic and iconic hotel that boasts clean rooms, world-class on-site dining, and a whopping 30,000 keys, the Only In Your State reports..

"Hanging from the beams and walls, the Seven Keys essential collection - while quirky - is quite impressive, as it includes keys from different times in history, as well as from around the country and the world. Keep your eyes peeled, as you may even spot old keys from the White House, Frankenstein’s Castle, and even Hitler's bunker.

"Due to the collection's uniqueness, each key is logged into a database maintained by a group of curators who lecture and write blogs about these historic artifacts. When you visit, take some time to browse the keys and enjoy a meal at the delicious restaurant, which offers everything from a seasonal food and drink menu to a decadent Sunday brunch."

"In 2020, new owner Meredith Powell and her family brought the 100-year-old property looking to unlock the potential of the historic inn, the Denver 7 ABC reports..

“From what we were told, it’s the world’s largest key collection,” Powell said. “I haven’t seen it written in the Guinness Book of World Records, but we have well over 20,000 – close to 30,000 – keys that hang from the ceiling and the walls.”

"The central piece of decoration here is actually tens of thousands of them: The key to the royal chapel in Westminster Abbey. The key to the first United Airlines mainliner that flew through Denver. The key to the old alarm box that was part of the Great Chicago Fire. Keys to an ocean liner from the 1930s. Keys to submarines, airplanes, and telegraph keys."

"Baldpate is a bit out of the way, but needs to be on everyone's bucket list. The key collection was truely amazing, but have a beverage and quietly enjoy the patio....... The hummingbird gathering is even more impressive."

"We were overwhelmed with how many keys there are."

"Stop by the Baldpate for lunch and spend time in the Key Room. They have over 20K keys from across the world --- hotel keys, coffin keys, house keys, bank keys, etc. See local photographs taken by the original owners back in the 1920's and various memorabilia. Bring your own extra key to donate to the collection!"

"Hard to describe without being there. Keys from all over the world, keys of all shapes, sizes, materials - following a tradition started during WWII."

"This is a hidden gem in EP! You can spend hours looking at the immense collection of keys from special visitors and not-so-famous guests! Plus they have the best salad bar/pie in town if you get hungry!"

" The keys are interesting to see and examine-- historical. It is worth a trip if you're staying in Estes for a week and want something unique and quirky. The view from the dining room is amazing."

Photos 1, 3-10: World's Largest Public Key Collection: world record in Estes Park, Colorado. Photos: Seven Keys Lodge