Museum of Friends to host traveling exhibit from the
WALSENBURG — communities to host a special exhibit, with Walsenburg being the first stop as the program moves through the state, between August of 2023 and its conclusion in Gunnison in December of 2024. The exhibit, called “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” a Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS)” is sponsored by the Colorado Humanities. The exhibition opens at the Museum of Friends, on August 26, 2023 and will be on view there through October 8, 2023 (hours Tuesday through Saturday 10 a. m.
until 5 p. m. ) “‘Crossroads’ allows us to reflect on Huerfano County and Walsenburg’s history, present and future and we are excited to explore what the future may hold for our community,” said Maria Cocchiarelli, Museum of Friends’ Executive Director. She added, “We want to convene conversations about what makes our community unique and have developed two local exhibitions on the 2nd floor that focus on the Counter-culture’s contribution to change called “The Foundation” and “The Reach.
” Aside from the actual exhibit, there are several public programs included, with the first one occurring on Friday, Aug. 18, and repeating on Aug. 25. These are both Volunteer and Docent Training sessions to learn how to lead tours through this unique exhibit.
Those sessions run from 3 to 5 p. m. with refreshments served. (Information on volunteering can be found at the website below.
) Also on Aug. 18, the Fox Theatre in Walsenburg will feature a documentary called, “The Five States of Colorado. ” In 1861, the U. S.
Congress carved Colorado’s boundaries representing no river, mountain range, tribe, or language group to enclose five distinct areas that are now southern Colorado, including Pueblo, the San Luis Valley and the plains south of the Arkansas River. Western Colorado covering most of the mountain ranges, including North, Middle and South Park, and extends west of the mountains across the high plateau. The Eastern Plains that stretch out from the Front Range north of the Arkansas river. The Front Range, including the cities and suburbs from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs.
And Metropolitan Denver,which is distinguished as a separate region because of its substantial influence in the state’s politics and economy. According to a press release, “The film will be an easily accessible and engaging exploration and illustration of the history, culture, present-day facts and perspectives, concerns, and needs of each of the five featured regions, and a powerful contribution to public education and discourse. The school tours part of the program run from Aug. 29 through Oct.
- This allows all students from grades K through 12 to visit the exhibit. Some area school districts have already begun booking their visits. Also related to area youth is a workshop to be held at the Fox Theatre on Sept.
16, From 11 a. m. to 1 p. m.
CU professor Jim Walker, accompanied with members of the CU Boulder Drama Department’s Improvisational Troupe, will teach improvisational theater skills and techniques. Pizza will be served. Later that same day from 5 p. m.
to 7 p. m. the Story Share Troup will present a lively and entertaining culmination of many months of interviewing and videotaping some of Walsenburg’s most interesting community members. Artists, writers and musical composers have been developing new works based on these stories.
This event will also be held at the Fox Theatre, with refreshments being served. For more information or to volunteer, call the Museum of Friends at 719-738-2858 or visit their website at: museumoffriends. org. Or check out the exhibit website at: coloradohumanities.
org/programs/museum-on-main-street