Talk: Utopian Colorado
Thursday, Apr. 30 · 7 pm - 9 pm Longmont Museum 400 Quail Rd., Longmont, CO 80501
A conversation with Chris Bowles, Greeley History Museum; Jason Hanson, History Colorado; and Elizabeth Beaudoin, Longmont Museum. Moderated by Justin Veach, Longmont Museum.
America has been home to a multitude of utopian and intentional communities since its founding, many of which were formed right here in Colorado, including Dearfield, Piñon, Greeley, and even our own Longmont.
Chris Bowles is a 4th generation Coloradan, with deep roots in Weld and Morgan Counties. He grew up in north-eastern Colorado and attended CU Boulder as an undergrad majoring in Anthropology. After graduating, he relocated to Scotland where he received a master’s degree in history from the University of Edinburgh, and a PhD in Archaeology from the University of Glasgow. He worked across Scotland as an archaeologist before becoming the county archaeologist based in the planning department of Scottish Borders Council. Over his 11 years there, he helped preserve a number of important archaeological sites, worked with community groups to uncover their heritage, and took part in a variety of other local and national projects. He, his wife and kids moved back to Colorado in late 2020, and Chris took up work with History Colorado becoming the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer and Director of the State Historical Fund. He joined City of Greeley in 2022 as the Museums Manager, bringing his knowledge, experience and passion for history back to his roots.
Jason Hanson is the Chief Creative Officer and Director of Interpretation and Research at History Colorado. He has led the development of numerous exhibitions around the state written widely about Colorado history on topics such as water use, the origins of the American workplace, gender roles in Utopian communities, and beer. He is also a commissioner on the state’s America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission and works closely with Colorado’s State Historian’s Council as the Deputy State Historian. Prior to joining the state historical organization in 2016, he was a member of the research faculty at the Center of the American West at CU Boulder.
Elizabeth Beaudoin is the Curator of History for the Longmont Museum. She oversees the museum’s archive and historic collections, and manages research requests on local history. She has 15 years’ experience in museums in non-profits. Prior to coming to Longmont, she served as the Curator for City of Broomfield and the Broomfield Veterans Museum. Originally from New England, she also has held positions at the Maine Maritime Museum, Historic New England, Fort Ticonderoga, and the Enfield Shaker Museum. She holds a Masters in Art History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Bachelors in Art History from the University of New Hampshire. She lives in Longmont with her two dogs Teddy and Daisy.
This program is part of our Thursday Nights @ the Museum series. Join us every Thursday from Jan. 22 until May 7 for concerts, films, and free talks in the Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium.
