The History Colorado Center in Denver: Unearthing the Centennial State’s Past

At the vibrant heart of Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District, the History Colorado Center stands as a beacon for exploring the rich, complex, and often untold stories of the Centennial State. More than just a museum, this state-of-the-art facility serves as the headquarters for History Colorado, the statewide historical society, offering immersive exhibits, interactive experiences, and a deep dive into the diverse narratives that have shaped Colorado. Visiting the History Colorado Center in Denver is an engaging journey through time, designed to ignite curiosity in visitors of all ages.

A Modern Hub for a Storied Past

The History Colorado Center represents a significant evolution in how Colorado’s history is presented and preserved. While History Colorado (formerly the Colorado Historical Society) was established way back in 1879, its flagship museum in Denver underwent a monumental transformation in the early 21st century. The new History Colorado Center officially opened its doors on April 28, 2012, replacing the previous Colorado History Museum. This modern, purpose-built facility was designed to offer an entirely new, highly interactive, and technologically advanced experience of Colorado’s past.

The building itself is a striking architectural statement, designed by Tryba Architects. Its contemporary urbanist/neo-modern style utilizes regional materials, such as beetle-kill pine for interior surfaces, and incorporates sustainable design principles, earning it LEED Gold certification – a first for a history museum in the country. The four-story atrium, known as the Great Hall, is a central feature, allowing natural light to flood the space and showcasing a massive 40×60-foot terrazzo map of Colorado’s terrain, designed by artist Steven Weitzman. This architectural design implicitly connects Colorado’s geology to its human history, creating a powerful sense of place.

Immersive Exhibitions: Stories Come Alive

The History Colorado Center in Denver is renowned for its highly interactive and engaging permanent exhibitions, which encourage visitors to actively participate in the historical narrative:

• Living West: This extensive exhibit explores the dynamic relationship between Coloradans and their diverse environments. Divided into sections focusing on Mesa Verde (Ancestral Puebloans and their connection to the land), the Dust Bowl (the hardships of homesteading on the plains), and the Mountains (wildlife, industries, and the importance of water), it uses dioramas, artifacts, and hands-on elements to illustrate human adaptation and the challenges of the landscape. Visitors can even experience a simulated “Black Sunday” Dust Bowl storm.
• Colorado Stories: This exhibit delves into the lives of the various people who shaped Colorado’s history. It covers a broad spectrum of experiences, from the struggles of Japanese-Americans interned at the Amache (Granada) War Relocation Center during WWII (through a poignant walk-through exhibit of cramped quarters) to the lives of miners in Silverton, African American communities, and Rocky Mountain National Park rangers. It features a popular ski jump simulator and various interactive displays.
• Destination Colorado: This immersive exhibit transports visitors back to the 1880s, recreating the former homesteading town of Keota. Narrated by actors portraying real residents, visitors can walk through a general store, a schoolhouse, and other town settings, gaining a firsthand sense of frontier life and community spirit, even amidst drought and famine.
• Time Machine: Situated near the grand map in the Great Hall, this large, “steampunk” style mobile device allows visitors to move over different areas of the map. Screens on the machine come alive, relaying fascinating stories from various periods in Colorado’s history, highlighting the deep layers of time across the state’s geography.
• Denver A-Z: A quirky and engaging exhibit that explores the capital city’s unique history through an alphabetical journey, revealing interesting tidbits about Denver from its famous blue bear to its historical fascinations.

A Hub for Education and Preservation

Beyond its captivating exhibits, the History Colorado Center serves a crucial role as the administrative and research hub for History Colorado. It houses the Stephen H. Hart Research Library, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the State Historical Fund – the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. Through its diverse offerings, including K-12 educational programs, traveling exhibits, and community outreach, History Colorado strives to fulfill its mission: “to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past.”

The History Colorado Center in Denver, which opened in 2012 at 1200 Broadway, is not just a building; it’s a dynamic institution that actively engages with Colorado’s past, present, and future. It invites exploration, fosters understanding, and ensures that the rich and diverse stories of the Centennial State continue to inspire generations to come.