Colorado: Why Are We Here?

How the 1859 Gold Rush put Colorado on the map

A slideshow and lecture by Wesley A. BROWN, a collector, student, and author of maps for 30 years who co-founded the Rocky Mountain Map Society

Presented by Crossroads Cultural Center and the University of Denver History Department

Join us on an extraordinary journey with prominent historian and map collector, Wesley Brown, Founder of the Rocky Mountain Map Society, on how Colorado became a national fascination and ultimate destination for explorers in 1859 - which has since then become the state we know today!

At some point, all of us had to study history in our life. Some can find it boring, just a memorization of events that happened in the past; others can instead be animated by a moving passion for its stories and characters. It is possible that, in front of the enthusiasm of the latter, the first group of people can ask the following questions: Is history fascinating? How can it be fascinating? Does it really matter for our daily life?

From our own interest and work on this event, we have had to face these questions and ultimately discovered three determinants that make history fascinating:

• History as a lens to view reality - we have a tendency to take a position of wonder in front of something true, something real. History or historical events provide us with the opportunity to understand how reality is meaningful to each of us.

• The theme of the Great Search in history – the theme of continuous exploration in history can be called The Great Search. What truly connects us to these brave travelers is that this same pursuit happens with us every day. Each day, we wake up and the Great Search for beauty and happiness is happening in our jobs, our relationships, and even how we spend our free time.

• The storyteller - The storyteller is the one who sees with great clarity that history is a lens to view reality and the budding theme of the Great Search within historical events. The storyteller’s own fascination and gaze is what draws us to be interested in history.

The event is open to the public and free of charge.

About this Event

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015
Time: 6:15 pm
Location: Sturm Hall, Room 251
University of Denver
2000 E. Asbury Ave.
Denver, CO
map

About the Speaker

Wesley A. Brown
Founder of the Rocky Mountain Map Society

Invitation

Download the Invitation here

Video

Watch the video.

Photos - click on image below