Archaeology and Historic Preservation - an Economic Driver that Connects Colorado Communities

Colorado celebrates the power of preservation in May

DENVER, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A 2011 report, "The Economic Power of Heritage and Place," found that communities that implement historic preservation practices create jobs, protect the environment, and promote their unique, distinctive places. Historic preservation not only protects and improves a community's aesthetics, but successful preservation programs are also shown to boost community pride, learning, and creativity—critical features that attract an educated workforce. A strong economy and a strong community are inextricably connected, and historic preservation supports both.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120521/DC10701)

Communities across Colorado showcase these connections every May during Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month (AHPM). They host programs and events that tie Colorado's most cherished historic places with their stories. As this year's celebration comes to a close, there are still opportunities for the public to catch exciting AHPM programs, including archaeology talks, performances, exhibits, children's programs, walking tours, and bike tours.

A short film created by Havey Productions celebrates  the important role archaeology and historic preservation plays in Colorado. Watch the video at bit.ly/AHPM2012.

Visit HistoryColorado.org to find an AHPM event near you. Examples of upcoming events include:

May 24

Denver – Connecting the Pieces: Dialogues on the Amache Archaeology Collections. This exhibit features items collected during ongoing archaeological research at Amache, a Colorado internment camp that detained Japanese Americans during World War II. For information, see http://portfolio.du.edu/amache.

May 25

Georgetown – The Archaeology of Taste and Style at Georgetown's Hotel de Paris. Archaeologist Thomas Witt speaks about artifacts recently recovered from excavations at the Hotel de Paris. Hoteldeparismuseum.org/

May 26

Colorado Springs – Children's History Hour. Children are treated to a story, an exhibit tour, and crafts at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum.

Milliken – Re-Opening of Historic Daniels' Schoolhouse. Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this building is reported to be Weld County's last remaining rural brick schoolhouse. http://bit.ly/DanielsSchool  

Collbran – 2012: Year of Water in Preservation. A presentation about the development of a sustainable irrigation system in the 1950s, and how it relates to the preservation of the land, people, and architectural structures. http://bit.ly/WaterPreservation2012  

May 27

Cripple Creek – Historic Walking Tour. Join Cripple Creek District Museum archivist Melissa Trenary on a fun and fact-filled tour of historic downtown Cripple Creek. http://www.cripple-creek.org/

Media Contact:
Shannon Haltiwanger
[email protected]
(o) 303/866-2049; (m) 303/263-4179

SOURCE History Colorado