“This strengthened partnership between these two Higher Education agencies is a demonstration of Colorado’s collaborative spirit and is a testament to the work that state agencies can do together,” said Governor Hickenlooper.

Limerick will continue in her role as the faculty director of the Center of the American West and as a professor at CU-Boulder. Jason Hanson, a member of the center’s research faculty, will serve as Deputy State Historian and he will be assisted by history PhD student Sam Bock. Among other initiatives, Limerick and her team will consult and collaborate on History Colorado Center exhibits, will put on a range of unique public events at History Colorado and will develop a university course that will give students practical training in exhibit development.

“Patty Limerick is an exceptional historian with a well-deserved international reputation, and her characteristic energy and expertise will serve the State of Colorado extremely well,” said University of Colorado President Bruce D. Benson. “Her appointment will also further important ties between History Colorado and the University of Colorado, which will benefit our students and our state.”

Limerick co-founded the Center of the American West at CU-Boulder to serve as a forum committed to the civil, respectful and problem-solving exploration of important and often contentious public issues. She has published widely in the field of history. Her book Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West, is regarded by many scholars as a groundbreaking text that helped to revitalize the field of Western American history. A recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and other regional and national awards, Limerick was recently confirmed by the US Senate to membership on the National Council for the Humanities. 

###

History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Shannon Haltiwanger
Public Information Officer | Preservation Communications Manager