Golden museum creates master timeline for the ages

A group of local historians are collaborating with museum staff to develop content for an in-depth timeline component of an upcoming exhibit at the Golden History Center.

The local advisory group are contributing content to Golden History Museums while serving as a sounding board for exhibit ideas. The working title of the exhibit is Time Tumbler.

“We’re committed to sorting out what really happened in town,” says Museum Curator Mark Dodge. “Working with this group of community historians is demanding and fun. I’ve already learned how little I know. We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re committed to making this timeline as accurate as possible.”

Borrowing from preexisting chronologies like the one created by the Golden Historic Preservation Board in 2003 and another from the Jefferson County Archives, the timeline will span over 150 years of recorded history.

“We’re keeping an eye toward events in Golden’s history for the timeline,” says Dodge. “We’ll celebrate our town’s founding in 1859, mourn events like the 1918 flu epidemic, and confront the controversy surrounding Nike’s proposed development of South Table Mountain in 1998.”

Time Tumbler will establish a context and big-picture overview to Golden history, familiarizing residents and visitors alike.

Museum Director Nathan Richie said, “The new exhibit will include a general orientation to Golden’s past—something we’ve never had at the Museums previously.”

“This master timeline is certain to be invaluable for residents, visitors, and researchers alike,” says Dodge.

The draft timeline is published at GoldenHistory.org/timeline and input is sought either in writing or by telephone.

Golden History Museums engages and inspires visitors by preserving and sharing Golden’s history.