PRESS CONTACTS:

History Colorado: Jeannie McFarland Johnson, hc_media@state.co.us
Philosophy Communication: Grace Markley, grace@philosophycommunication.com
Philosophy Communication: Jamie Resnik, jresnik@philosophycommunication.com

Moments That Made US presents nearly 50 turning points in American history from a variety of perspectives, offering visitors new views of many of the most significant moments in the nation’s shared past. Assembled from History Colorado’s extensive archival collections and from nationally renowned museums and institutions across the country, these items have never before been presented together. The exhibit looks back across centuries, through moments of crisis and creative twists. It highlights both challenging and celebratory times, from Mesa Verde to Valley Forge to Ebbets Field. Together, these stories inspire curiosity about the events and moments that shaped the nation.

“History doesn’t just happen; it is created. We wanted to take a broad look at how people have shaped where we are today,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Lockman, senior exhibition developer at History Colorado. “Visitors will see themselves, their families, and their communities in this inspiring collection. The trajectory that has led us to this moment began centuries ago but has also pivoted in surprising ways. That timeline is woven together in this groundbreaking exhibition.”

This remarkable exhibition includes objects from blockbuster moments in history, like the end of the Civil War at Appomattox Court House and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln just days later. It also looks at history through unexpected lenses, like how canned and bottled food changed the way that we eat and shop, or how women’s access to financial independence was a crucial, if often overlooked, part of the social movements after World War II.

“The actions, choices, sacrifices, and creativity of our ancestors forged the nation we live in today,” said Dawn DiPrince, president/CEO of History Colorado and the State Historic Preservation Officer. “This exhibition is more than a collection of noteworthy artifacts; it’s an inspiring reminder that we are active agents in the continual formation of America. As we consider these defining historical moments, we must also acknowledge our obligations to shape America’s future.”

A few of the notable artifacts include: 

• Corn cobs cultivated by Ancestral Puebloan people near Mesa Verde in the late 1200s
• A silver spoon made by Paul Revere and a copper coffee pot from the 1760s
• A set of spurs worn by President George Washington at Valley Forge in 1777
• One of the first Mexican editions of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo from 1848
• A US Army portable camp phone from World War I in 1918
• A baseball bat used by Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Robinson in 1947
• The tape recorder used by President Richard Nixon at the center of the Watergate Scandal in 1973
• FDNY helmet recovered at 9/11’s Ground Zero in 2001

Jason Hanson, History Colorado’s Chief Creative Officer and a member of the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission, shared, “As we mark 250 years of American independence in the Centennial State, Moments That Made US will remind visitors that every generation faces consequential moments. I hope it will inspire us to see that, like those who came before us, we are empowered to chart our own course toward a more perfect union, guided by empathy for our fellow Americans as we work together to realize the ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence: equality, security, freedom, and happiness.”

Moments that Made US is presented by FirstBank, with additional support from the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Promotional support has been provided by generous sponsors, including CBS Colorado, Colorado Public Radio and Westword. The exhibition will be on display at History Colorado Center from November 21, 2025, through October 18, 2026. It is included with museum admission. 

About the America 250 - Colorado 150 Commemoration
The America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission is leading Colorado’s commemoration of 150 years of statehood and 250 years of American independence in 2026. Established by Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado General Assembly, the Commission brings together leaders from across the state to guide this historic milestone. Through its campaign, "The View From Here," the Commission invites all Coloradans to reflect on our shared history and imagine the future, recognizing Colorado’s unique legacy as the only state founded on the nation’s 100th birthday in 1876. Working alongside state agencies, regional Advisory Panel members, and local communities, the Commission will showcase signature initiatives, educational programs, exhibits and community-led events to inspire engagement statewide. For more information and ways to get involved, visit Am250CO150.org.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 145-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado.

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado