WHAT:   One state, thousands of stories, one new place to share them. Come and celebrate the opening of the new History Colorado Center, Colorado’s new history museum and cultural attraction! 

WHEN:   History Colorado Center Opening Day Celebration: Saturday, April 28. Ribbon Cutting: 10 a.m. Museum open: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opening Day After-Hours special event with John Denver “The Tribute”: 6 to 9 p.m.

WHERE:  1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

Ribbon cutting takes place at Broadway entrance. In the case of inclement weather, it will be moved to the museum’s lobby. All other events take place inside the History Colorado Center.

TIMES AND TICKETS FOR THE PUBLIC:

• 10 to 10:30 a.m.: Ribbon Cutting. A ticket is not required to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony outside the Broadway entrance.
   
• 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Museum Opening Day. Timed tickets for daytime museum hours are available online at www.HistoryColoradoCenter.org and onsite (pending availability). Entrance times are 10:00 a.m., Noon and 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome to stay until 5 p.m. after entering with their timed ticket. Prices: $10/adults; $8/Students & Seniors; $6/Children 12 and under; Children 5 and under are free; History Colorado members are free. Tickets include all special activities (detailed activities schedule is below). Timed tickets allows for the museum experience to be preserved for our visitors.
   
• 6 to 9 p.m.: Opening Day After-Hours with John Denver “The Tribute.” Tickets are available at www.HistoryColoradoCenter.org  and onsite. Cost is $25 and includes music by John Denver “The Tribute;” two complimentary drinks (beer, wine or soda) and dessert bar. Note that space is limited and advance purchase is recommended. Please, no children under 13.

DETAILED SCHEDULES FOR THE MEDIA:

10 A.M. – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Schedule

• 9:45-10 a.m.:  Music from the Colorado Symphony Brass Quintet (the Colorado Symphony Orchestra kindly requests that media do not record or broadcast pre-ribbon cutting music played at the ceremony.)
• 10 a.m.:  Flag ceremony by members of Boy Scout Troop #511, Broomfield, Colorado
• Pledge of Allegiance
• 10:05 a.m.:

   

  • Emcee: Gary Shapiro, News Anchor at KUSA 9News
  • Speakers:

     

    • Bart Berger, Board Chairman, History Colorado
    • Ed Nichols, President & CEO, History Colorado
    • Harold Closter, Director, Smithsonian Affiliations
    • Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer, History Colorado
• 10:25 a.m.:  “Anthem of the Rockies” fanfare by Colorado Symphony Brass Quintet, an original composition by Charles Denler commissioned for the History Colorado Center’s Opening Day Celebration. (Media broadcasting is permitted.)
• 10:30 a.m.: Members of Girl Scout Troop 50544 from Denver cut the ribbon. Museum doors open. Photo opps.

Media Staging:

• Outdoor Ceremony:

   

  • Risers on the sidewalk in front of the Broadway entrance will be available for photo and video journalists, as well as access to the “front of stage” for photo opps. A mult box will be accessible.
     
  • A “Media Check In” table will be located near the risers. All media who wish to enter the museum after the ceremony must check in at this table to receive an entrance badge.
     
• Indoor Ceremony (if inclement weather):

   

  • A staging area for video and photo journalists is available. A mult box will not be available – individual microphones can be placed on the podium to record speakers.

Media Parking:  Ribbon cutting ceremony parking for MEDIA ONLY is available in the northwest surface parking lot on Broadway and 12^th Avenue. A History Colorado staff member will be onsite to provide media with a parking pass until 9:45 a.m.

10:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. – ­Museum Opening Day Schedule

MEDIA ACCESS: Passes for credentialed media who wish to enter the museum for opening day are requested to check in at the “Media Check In” table outside the museum (or in the museum lobby pending inclement weather) between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

 

Day-long Activities:

• Lobby/Atrium: 10:30-3:00 - Ivy Baldwin (historical re-enactor) - Tight rope walker

• Auditorium:

- 11:30 a.m. - Liz Masterson: Music, Stories & Poetry of the Old West

- Noon - Ann Lincoln: Juggling, Comedy & Magic

- 12:30 p.m. - Speed Stacking Presentation
 

- 1 p.m. - The Millibo Art Theater Presents: Museum of Dreams

- 1:30 p.m. - Top Hogs: The World’s Most Talented Pigs

- 2 p.m. - Liz Masterson: Music, Stories & Poetry of the Old West

- 2:30 p.m. - Ann Lincoln: Juggling, Comedy & Magic

- 3 p.m. - Speed Stacking Presentation

- 3:30 p.m. - The Millibo Art Theater Presents: Museum of Dreams

- 4 p.m. - Top Hogs: The World’s Most Talented Pigs

• 2nd Floor: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Fun Photo Opportunities, Speed Stackers, Caricatures

 

6 to 9 P.M. – Opening Day After-Hours Event Schedule

MEDIA ACCESS: Passes for credentialed media who wish to cover Opening Day After-Hours should contact Rebecca Laurie at Rebecca.laurie@state.co.us by noon, Saturday, April 28 for information and parking.

About John Denver “The Tribute”: The John Adams Band has performed John Denver “The Tribute” to encore-demanding audiences all over the world. John Adams had the privilege to perform with John Denver in 1988, during a TV-special in Europe. Together they performed a duet of “Whispering Jesse.” Mr. Denver himself was amazed at how much the two sounded the same. Since John Denver’s untimely death on October 12, 1997, John Adams has committed himself to keep Denver’s music alive, much to the appreciation of John Denver’s family, friends and fans all over the world that thoroughly enjoy the fabulous and timeless music of Rocky Mountain Legend, John Denver. The concerts are memorable, magical and invite the audience to enjoy a timeless, poignant journey through John Adams’ personal stories about his time with John Denver.

For more information about the John Adams Band, visit www.johnadamsmusic.com/. Performances will be at 6:15, 7:15 and 8:15 p.m. on the 2^nd Floor of the museum.

 

For the General Public:

Address & Parking:

• The History Colorado Center is located at 1200 Broadway (12^th and Broadway), south of the Denver Public Library and across from the Denver Art Museum.
   
• Paid garage parking is available in the Cultural Center Parking Garage, directly across the street from the museum at 12th Avenue and Acoma.
   
• Paid surface lots are located between 12th and 13th Avenues along Bannock, Cherokee, and Delaware streets.
   
•  Five-hour City parking meters are located on both Lincoln and Broadway between 12^th and 13^th Avenue.

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About History Colorado

Established in 1879, the Colorado Historical Society—today’s History Colorado—preserves Colorado’s rich heritage through the State Historical Fund, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, collections stewardship, statewide museums and programs for students, educators and visitors of all ages. History Colorado is headquartered in the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 in Denver’s Golden Triangle Museum District. Find History Colorado at Facebook.com/HistoryColorado and @HistoryColorado. For more information, visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY.

 

Media Contacts:

Shannon Haltiwanger Shannon.haltiwanger@state.co.us

(o) 303/866-2049; (m) 303/263-4179

Kathie Gonzalez kgonzalez@barnhartusa.com

(o) 303/626-7230; (m) 720/320-4304