Imagine A Great City: Denver At 150 at the Colorado History Museum
When: November 22, 2008 – Winter 2010
Where: Colorado History Museum
More Info: www.coloradohistory.org
Denver's history runs deep. In 1858, Denver was unorganized, unruly and unabashedly optimistic. Although isolated and faced with adversity, civic leaders managed to build a foundation for future prosperity. Through boom and bust, they dared to imagine a great city. On November 22, discover the events, people, communities and politics that have shaped Denver over the past 150 years in, Imagine a Great City: Denver at 150, a new History Colorado exhibit at the Colorado History Museum, located at 1300 Broadway.
Rumors of easy riches lured hundreds of gold seekers to the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River 150 years ago. Not much gold was actually discovered in those waters, but genuine bonanzas in the mountains encouraged thousands more to rush to Denver. Many left empty-handed, but those who stayed imagined a mile-high metropolis—what would become the political, commercial and cultural hub of the High Plains and Rocky Mountain West. At work and play, in neighborhoods both old and new, and even during times of cultural conflict, Denverites have kept their optimism, fashioning new visions of what makes a city great.
Imagine A Great City features six fascinating galleries, around which the exhibit revolves. The Identity gallery will guide visitors through flood, fire, drought, plagues of insects, conflict with Cheyennes and Arapahos – all of the early challenges that Denver faced. The Transportation gallery shows how the Mile High City overcame its isolation, from freighting and stagecoaches to interstates and international flight. The Cultural Clashes gallery highlights the sometimes bumpy road the city encountered with the growing multicultural communities in Denver, whether caused by ethnic or economic differences. The Economy gallery tracks the role money has played in the Denver’s development, from the Gold Rush to the present. The Leisure gallery focuses on the thriving creative world that Denver has always encouraged, from operas and saloons to the arts capital it is today. Finally, the Community gallery puts a spotlight on the neighborhoods that make up the Mile High City today.
The exhibit opens with Mayor John Hickenlooper at 9:45 a.m. on November 22 to commemorate Denver’s anniversary. Admission to the Colorado History Museum will be free from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. View the exhibit and enjoy a full day of music, dancers, family activities, crafts and demonstrations. After November 22, regular admission to the Colorado History Museum is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors/students; $5 for children 6-12; children under 6 are free. Children 12 and under are free on Saturdays. The exhibit is open until winter 2010.