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Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed Opens at Aspen’s Wheeler/Stallard Museum

Aspen Historical Society’s new exhibit explores the area’s stories

July 13, 2020 – Aspen Historical Society (AHS) presents a new exhibition Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed, a comprehensive view of local history from the 1870s through the 1970s with a focus on Aspen’s place in the historical landscape of America. The exhibition opens on Tuesday, July 14th at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, in addition to the opening of Maps through the Decades, a new display in the Archives Building Community Gallery.

Featuring poignant narratives, historical photographs, and artifacts, Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed illustrates stories that shaped the community’s distinct identity and represent the area’s connection to national events and trends – sometimes congruent, sometimes divergent – but always exciting. From the Victorian-era mining boomtown to “Quiet Years” ranching town to today’s international recreational and cultural destination, Aspen forged a unique path with controversial decisions and innovative choices.

“I have selected artifacts and images from the AHS Collection to act as signposts for the larger concepts, achievements, and issues that have defined this community,” says Curator Lisa Hancock. “Population data reflects the area’s fluctuating prosperity. The sub-theme of women’s history – from textiles to examples of grassroots organizing by local women – was inspiring to discover, especially during the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in the United States in 2020.”

According to AHS Director Kelly Murphy, “AHS has envisioned presenting this kind of comprehensive and approachable exhibition for many years. The planning, funding, and installation of Decade by Decade occurred during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot overstate our gratitude to our supporters who made the exhibition possible during this difficult time. The people of this Valley have faced adversity time and again with strength and resilience. We take comfort in knowing history will inform the path forward.”

Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed showcases the depth of the AHS Collection to recount the evolution of the area’s identity and share the stories of its people. Whether locals or visitors, guests of all ages will gain new knowledge about why Aspen is such a special place to live and visit.

Maps through the Decades, the new Community Gallery display and a complement to the Wheeler/Stallard exhibition, features a curated selection of the extensive AHS map collection, from­­­ mining claims to trail maps. The display illustrates how maps shaped the evolution of the area from wildlands to mining camp to modern mountain town.

EXHIBITION DETAILS:

Museum hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. open to vulnerable guests only; 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. open to the general public. Required masking, social-distancing, and health safety measures will be strictly observed.

Address: Wheeler/Stallard Museum, 620 W. Bleeker St.

Admission: Free for AHS members / $10 adult / $8 senior / free for children under 18 and active military personnel
(free on the first Saturday of each month; paid admission fee includes Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum)
More information: https://aspenhistory.org/tours-sites/wheeler-stallard-museum/

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Aspen Historical Society (AHS) actively preserves and passionately presents local history in an inspired and provocative manner that will continue to anchor our community and its evolving character. AHS maintains one of the largest public archives in the region, with a portion of our collection available online as a free resource. AHS operates four historic sites: Wheeler/Stallard Museum, Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, and the ghost towns of Independence and Ashcroft, and offers year-round tours, programs, and community events for all ages to explore the history of the upper Roaring Fork Valley. Visit www.aspenhistory.org or follow @historyaspen on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information.