#Denver History

[doll-collector-by-day]

If you're in Denver on a Saturday, please check out the Stiles African American museum!

I volunteered there this week to honor Juneteenth, but also toured the museum. (Note: I'm not a POC) It's small, but clearly a labor of love by the founder.

Some of my favorite parts are the inventions room (with lots of items invented by black inventors!), the numerous black Denver historical biographies, and the room dedicated to the Obamas.

The website has info about the creator, Grace Stiles, who is an absolutely impressive woman who saw the need for better access to black history. It's well worth the stop!

[premiermountaintransportation]

Discover Downtown Denver: Attractions and the Best Car Service

Downtown Denver is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and entertainment, offering a plethora of activities to suit every visitor's interests. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, an art enthusiast, or someone looking to explore the outdoors, Denver's downtown area has something for everyone. Here’s a guide to some of the top things to do in downtown Denver:

Visit the Denver Art Museum:

Art Enthusiasts' Paradise: Housing a vast collection of Native American art, contemporary masterpieces, and rotating exhibitions, the Denver Art Museum is a must-visit for art lovers.

Architecture: Marvel at the striking architecture of the museum itself, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.

Explore Larimer Square:

Historic Charm: Wander through Denver's oldest block, lined with Victorian buildings that now host trendy boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.

Nightlife: In the evening, the square comes alive with bustling bars and chic eateries, perfect for a night out.

Discover Union Station:

Architectural Gem: Admire the beautifully restored Beaux-Arts architecture of Union Station, a historic transportation hub turned into a trendy gathering spot.

Dining and Shopping: Enjoy a meal at one of the station's upscale restaurants or browse the boutiques for unique gifts and souvenirs.

Take a Stroll in Confluence Park:

Outdoor Escapade: Escape the urban hustle and bustle with a visit to Confluence Park, where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River converge.

Recreational Activities: Rent a bike or kayak to explore the park's trails and waterways, or simply relax by the riverbank.

Experience History at the Molly Brown House Museum:

Historical Insight: Step back in time at the home of Titanic survivor Molly Brown, filled with period furnishings and fascinating stories of Denver's past.

Guided Tours: Take a guided tour to learn about Molly Brown's life and her contributions to women's rights and philanthropy.

Indulge in Culinary Delights:

Foodie Haven: Downtown Denver boasts a diverse culinary scene, from gourmet restaurants to food trucks offering international flavors.

Local Brews: Don't miss the chance to sample craft beers at one of Denver's many breweries, known for their creativity and quality.

Consider A Denver Car Service for Absolute Convenience:

Ease of Travel: Navigate downtown Denver's attractions effortlessly with a reliable Denver car service, ensuring you don't miss any of the city's highlights.

Comfort and Safety: Enjoy the comfort and safety of a chauffeured ride, allowing you to relax and focus on enjoying your time exploring the city.

Call Premier Mountain Transportation now for the best Denver car service! Choose from our fleet of luxury Sedans, SUVs, and Limousines! With us the best Denver ground transportation price is guaranteed! Call us at 303-800-8000!

[coloradomartini]

Denver's magnificent mansions from the past: Bailey Mansion, 1600 Ogden Street

When I first started getting interested in locating stories about historic homes and buildings in the Denver metro area. The Bailey Mansion at 1600 Ogden Street in downtown Denver caught my eye.

When I first started getting interested in locating stories about historic homes and buildings in the Denver metro area. The Bailey Mansion at 1600 Ogden Street in downtown Denver caught my eye. The Mansion is located at the corner of 16th Street and Ogden in downtown Denver. It granger is a great example of Denver’s once prominent gold and silver mining spoils. The stone mansion was built for…

[fashionsfromhistory]

Fireman's Coat

Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century

Japan

Japanese firemen's coats are reversible. When fighting fires, the coat was worn as shown, together with close-fitting trousers, a hood, and gloves. Saturated with water, these garments gave protection against flames. A bold, legible pattern on the back identified the fireman’s brigade. For festive occasions, the pictorial side faced outward. This coat shows the Toad Spirit offering to teach the robber Jiraya magic, provided he used it only to benefit humanity.

Denver Art Museum (Accession Number: 1999.265)

[sweatermuppet]

[Image ID: a black and white typography edit that reads "aren't you glad to be a pansy?". beside the text is a pansy blossom, including stem and leaf. the entire picture is textured to look aged and printed on off-white paper. /End ID]

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[paulmccart]

We're Not Gonna Take It! And the Story of How We Almost Did

Protesters outside of the PMRC senate hearings.

Are you a victim of rock? Well maybe you aren't, but all the way back in 1985 a group of prominent D.C wives felt that they were.

These women, with the help of Beach Boys member Mike Love and Joseph Coors, the owner of Coors Beers, formed the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center).

Their reasoning for forming as co-founder Susan Baker put it:

"It started because one day my 7-year-old came in and started quoting some of Madonna's lyrics to me, wanting to know what they meant. And I was shocked. I knew that you had to be concerned about movies and TV, but I didn't have a clue that my 7-year-old would be exposed to inappropriate songs."

The goal of the PMRC was to give parents more control over what their children could listen to. As well as implementing a rating system for music with bad language, sexual themes, and anti-Christian messages just to name a few. Eventually the group made a list of the fifteen worst songs, in their opinion and labeled them "The Filthy Fifteen".

(And it also happens to make a killer playlist)

Besides a rating system and lyrics printed on album covers the PMRC had several other goals including:

"...records with explicit covers be wrapped or kept under the counter; that record companies reassess contracts with performers who engage in sexual or violent acts on stage; that broadcasters be pressured to exhibit "voluntary restraint" by not airing offending music videos, which would also be rated."

All that noise coming from the PMRC culminated on September 19th, 1985. When a hearing in the senate occurred. Two musicians were called in on behalf of the music industry, Frank Zappa and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. Two of musics most studious and serious creatives.

Zappa and Snider both gave eloquent defenses of what they deemed to be free speech.

But the PMRC had a trick up their sleeves... or so they thought.

They'd also invited John Denver to speak that day, assuming that he would stand with the side of "family values" but they were mistaken.

John Denver's testimony was the most scathing that day. He cited his own experience with having some of his music banned from radio. Even going as far as comparing the PMRC and groups like it to Nazi book burnings.

So what did the PMRC end up accomplishing? You know those tiny explicit labels in the corner of some albums? You can thank the PMRC for those. When they were originally introduced they were called "Tipper Stickers" after one of more outspoken PMRC members Tipper Gore (wife of Al Gore).

So while we didn't exactly take it, for a time we almost did. And thanks to testimony from Frank Zappa, John Denver, and Dee Snider, we can regularly enjoy any kind of music we want to- even the songs that promote the occult.

Both photographs come from Mark Weiss who photographed the event for Rock Scene Magazine.

[youchangedmedestiel]

Just imagine for a second. Cas and Dean working a case together near Fort Collins and Cas dragging Dean to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Dean doesn’t want to go there, because museums are boring, except maybe the part with the dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are kinda cool, otherwise there’s no point in visiting a natural history museum, but since Cas wants to, well, they go anyway.

They do the tour around the parts where all the rocks are exposed. Cas is amazed by all of them, by their shapes and colors. He sees that Dean is not as interested as he is, even when Cas tells him where the rocks come from.

“I remember. This one was formed during the splitting of the continents, precisely between Europe and Africa. It was slow if you look at it from the human perspective but it’s actually fascinating.” Dean nods here and there, but Cas knows how to get his attention. "Look, Dean. The color of that quartz, it's beautiful." He starts, bending a little over the glass case protecting the rocks, pointing at the bright green one in front of him.

"Yeah, yeah." Dean answers, quickly glancing at the object of Cas's amazement, but really, he doesn’t want to look at pebbles right now, he would have preferred to go watch a movie or grab a bite at the diner they saw on their way to the museum instead.

"The green here is almost as beautiful as the one in your eyes." Cas states, his fingers brushing along Dean's arm tenderly. Dean looks at him suddenly with wide eyes, his cheeks start to tint a little. "And this pink is almost as intense as the one appearing on your cheeks right now." Cas smiles proudly, pointing at a pinkish rock next to the green one, and kisses Dean's cheek as he intertwines their fingers.

He stops near Dean’s ear, his lips brushing it, his other hand cupping Dean’s jaw. “Maybe we can visit the bathroom later.” He whispers then he drags by the hand a speechless and flustered Dean behind him to continue the tour. 

[stuffaboutminneapolis]

John Denver performing at Edina High School (1969)

[stfrancisprayer]

vincent van gogh was born in nuenen

[lionofchaeronea]

Rosina Ferrara, Head of a Capri Girl, John Singer Sargent, ca. 1878

[coolthingsguyslike]

[coloradomartini]

Wonderland Theater of “freaks” and “bizarre exhibits” was once in Denver, Colorado

Back in the mid-1800’s Denver’s Curtis Street between Fifteenth and Nineteenth street was home to “Theater Row.” It started with the Apollo Hall in 1859. Then the Tabor Grand opened in 1881. Many more theaters followed.

Back in the mid-1800’s Denver’s Curtis Street between Fifteenth and Nineteenth street was home to “Theater Row.” It started with the Apollo Hall in 1859. Then the Tabor Grand opened in 1881. Many more theaters followed. The Wonderland Theater went under various names over time and featured many different venues. The theater was the final Curtis Street theater to be destroyed by a wrecking ball…

[fashionsfromhistory]

Wedding Kimono (Uchikake)

Chiba Prefecture, Japan

c.1850 (Edo Period)

Denver Art Museum

[sweatermuppet]

[Image ID: a black and white typography edit that reads "the homosexual & the transsexual share the same bed" in all caps. in the center of the image are two swans, facing each other so their necks form the shape of a heart. the entire image is textured to look aged and printed. /End ID]

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[20th-century-railroading]

FlanaryRon-BN engine terminal-DenverCO-5-20-87