Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month
May 2008
Documenting the Past
Colorado Celebrates its Heritage!
In May, 38 cities and towns across the state will, once again, host events honoring Colorado's past during Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. The entire month will feature plenty of free or modestly priced tours, exhibits, lectures, displays, events, and activities that the entire family can enjoy while exploring our great state and learning about Colorado's past. The experience can be as close as your local historical society, or may inspire a grand day trip in the mountains or plains.
Archaeology isn't just for scientists!
Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month might be for you if you have been delighted to dig up an old bottle cap, horseshoe, a piece of old barbed wire, doll head or coin in the backyard garden. If you have toured the Molly Brown House or Mesa Verde National Park you have benefited from the efforts of historic preservation. Many of the streets we drive through, parks we play in and churches we attend are preserved through historic designation. It would be difficult to count the number of times we experience the history secured for us as we simply live our daily lives in this State rich in heritage.
Documenting the past is the job of State Archaeologist Susan Collins, co-director the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for the Colorado Historical Society, and her staff. The physical remains of our historic sites preserve the experiences, and tell us the stories, of those who have gone before, and so the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation creatively engages Coloradans and their guests in partnerships to discover, preserve, and take pride in our architectural and archaeological resources.
The State of Colorado formally recognized the educational, cultural and economic benefit provided by the Colorado Historical Society's preservation efforts on February 29, 2008 as Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. signed an Honorary Proclamation declaring
May 2008 Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month. This year the Colorado Historical Society and partner organizations celebrate Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month with the theme
"Documenting the Past."
For a complete listing of Preservation Month events and to learn the benefits of historic preservation go to
www.coloradohistory-oahp.org.
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Background
The Colorado Historical Society was established in 1879 and is headquartered at the Colorado History Museum in Denver. As the designated steward of Colorado history, the Colorado Historical Society aspires to engage people in our State's heritage through collecting, preserving, and discovering the past in order to educate and provide perspectives for the future. This educational institution contains History Colorado, the 12 museums and historic sites across the state, its public programs and services; the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Stephen H. Hart Research Library, and administers the State Historical Fund, a preservation-based grants program funded by limited stakes gaming tax revenues. For more information call (303) 866-3682 or visit www.coloradohistory.org.