In celebration of Women's History Month and the upcoming Molly Brown House Museum's "No Pink Tea Politics" exhibit, a series of free lectures are being offered at The Denver Press Club and a series of Suffrage Teas are being held at the Museum.
The first lecture takes place on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Denver Press Club and focuses on Margaret Brown's political ambitions. A second lecture will be offered on August 13, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. focusing on the 1908 Convention hosted at the Brown Palace Hotel. On October 8, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. a final lecture will be held focusing on what Denver looked like in 1908. All lectures are open to the public, free of charge, but are limited by seating capacity.
On Friday, March 14, 2008 at 1 p.m., the Molly Brown House Museum will host a special "Suffrage Tea." As guests arrive they will be provided with a new identity: that of an important suffrage leader. Guests will also view authentic suffrage artifacts and enjoy delicate refreshments. Reservations for the tea are required and tickets cost $19/person. An additional tea in honor of the 2008 convention will be held on Friday, August 29, 2008 beginning at 1 p.m. The tea includes a tour of the house and exhibit and time to enjoy small sandwiches, scones and fruit in the Museum's third-floor tea room. This perfect post-convention lunch costs just $19 per person.
The Museum's new exhibit,
"No Pink Tea Politics," opens on May 20, 2008. Guests will step 100 years back in time to 1908 when politics embroiled the nation, women pushed for the right to vote and Denver shone in the national spotlight by hosting its first ever national political convention-the Democratic National Convention. Margaret "Molly" Brown waded right into the fray.
The exhibit "No Pink Tea" Politics, named for a Margaret Brown quote, recreates the controversies and passions of the day, with special focus on women's role in the political arena as they campaigned for the right to help select the next American president, regardless of party affiliation. In 1908, women in Denver and elsewhere grew increasingly avid in their desire to cast ballots.
This exhibit recreates the tools women used in their pursuit of suffrage, including an intimate suffrage tea setting, a lecture-style luncheon common in the movement and even the sashes, signs and banners that marked a truly grassroots effort. Special women's suffrage china, an authentic ballot box and Margaret Brown's own words and remarks will be on display.
Also inside the Brown's historic home, visitors will view the fashions seen outside the convention hall in 1908, learn about the candidates 100 years ago and explore the political scene of a vastly different era. The exhibit will be on display inside the Brown's restored 1889 home, where the leaders of the day, Teddy Roosevelt, William Jennings Bryan and William Taft, could all have found comfort.
The Molly Brown House Museum, owned and operated by Historic Denver, Inc., is a celebrated Denver landmark located at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in the historic Capitol Hill Neighborhood.
General museum admission, including the exhibit, is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors over 65 and $4 for kids 6-12 years old. Museum tours run Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 noon - 4 p.m. During June, July and August, the Museum is also open on Mondays.
For more information call (303)832-4092 ext. 16 or visit
www.mollybrown.org
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GENERAL MOLLY BROWN HOUSE MUSEUM INFORMATION
Molly Brown has been the subject of many books, movies and stage productions, and has become one of Denver's most intriguing legends. Margaret was a classic American rags-to-riches story. She moved to Leadville, Colorado when she was 19 years old in search of adventure and wealth. While in Leadville, she caught the eye of mining superintendent James Joseph (J.J.) Brown and they were married shortly after. The couple's ship finally came in when the mine J.J. was in charge of struck the largest vein of gold ever found in Colorado. The Browns were millionaires! After the gold strike, Margaret and her family purchased the exquisite Victorian home at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in Denver's plush Capitol Hill neighborhood. The Victorian home was incredibly modern for the time. It had electric lights, an indoor bathroom, hot and cold running water and a telephone. Margaret was an amazing and spirited woman and became active in the women's suffrage movement and labor reform efforts. Unfortunately, after her death in 1932 her Victorian home was sold and used for many different functions. By 1970 the house had fallen prey to deterioration, and was in danger of being demolished. A group of concerned citizens incorporated themselves as Historic Denver, Inc. and fought to save and restore the Brown home. Today, you can see the efforts of their work in the completely restored Victorian mansion. The Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania Street, is a celebrated Denver landmark.