Black and white photo of a young woman smiling at the camera. She's in a white debutante ball gown with a flower arch and curtains behind her. The words Owl Club of Denver surrounds her.

Upcoming Exhibition

Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence

-

Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence explores the rich traditions of a prominent all-Black debutante cotillion club in the Mile High City. Built from oral histories, and featuring a remarkable collection of photographs, Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence recounts the rarely told history of debutante culture from the perspective of African Americans who were historically excluded from the beauty standards of this European-born tradition.

Founded in 1941 by eight hardworking railroad pullman, waiters, and businessmen, The Owl Club of Denver was created to recognize the academic excellence of young African American women from Denver. This social club provided a safe space where community members could feel a sense of belonging, celebrate one another’s achievements, and defy stereotypes placed on Black people and their culture.

Tickets

Location

A black and white image of a young debutante wearing a white ballgown and gloves. She is curtseying in front of a floral arch and curtains. Onlookers in tuxedos observe.
View of an Owl Club function. A group of African American (Black) teenagers stand in a circle on a ballroom floor in Denver, Colorado. The young women wear formal dresses and the young men wear tuxedos.
A black and white photo of 5 African American people wearing dresses and suits, holding drinks and looking at the camera. On the photo is written The Owl Club of Denver 1968 Easter C.T. Party.
Black and white photo of a young woman smiling at the camera. She's in a white debutante ball gown with a flower arch and curtains behind her.
Black and white photo of a crowd of formally dressed men at a part, many of them wear paper crowns to celebrate New Years.

“The Owl Club of Denver set the stage for many Black Coloradans who became anchors of their communities. This exhibition gives us the chance to celebrate and honor these young debutantes as well as this vital organization that continues to uplift its community to this day."

Tyler Allen, Exhibit Developer & Public Historian for History Colorado