LONGMONT, Colo. – The Longmont Museum invites visitors to explore the richness and diversity of 19th-century American Western landscapes in their newest exhibition, “Picturing the West: Masterworks of American Landscape Photography.”  

This carefully-curated collection features mammoth-plate photographs by iconic figures like Carleton Watkins, William Henry Jackson and Eadweard Muybridge, alongside rarely seen works by female photographers and photographers of color from the same era. Together, these diverse voices present a more complete and nuanced vision of the American West, bringing its untamed beauty and complexity into focus. 

The exhibit offers multiple layers for engagement and education. It serves as a visual chronicle of America’s Era of Exploration, a platform for discussing the history of the American West, and a celebration of the artists—both well-known and overlooked—who helped shape the American public’s perception of the Western frontier. 

The exhibition also includes period cameras from the historic collections of the Longmont Museum, the Broomfield Depot Museum and History Colorado like those used by the artists, offering a tangible connection to the era and craft. 

“Picturing the West” opens the evening of Friday, January 26 and runs through May 5, 2024. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and veterans. Longmont Museum members and children age 3 and under are free. Admission is 25 cents with a qualifying EBT or SNAP card.  

Interviews and tours of the exhibit are available by contacting joan.harrold@longmontcolorado.gov or 970-380-4943.  

Public Opening Reception

Friday, Jan. 26, 6–8 pm  
$8 adults, $5 students/seniors, children 3 and under free, Museum members free  

Be among the first to explore the new exhibit and enjoy a night of culture, featuring live classical music of the era. We invite you to come dressed “picture” ready in cocktail attire. Complimentary appetizers provided; cash bar. Buy tickets online at longmontmuseum.org, at the door, or by calling 303-651-8374. 

Members of the Longmont Museum’s Giving Club are invited for a private preview and tour of the exhibit with Curator Jared Thompson prior to the opening. To learn more about how to get involved with the Giving Club, visit longmontmuseum.org and click on Join & Support.  

Exhibit Programming

The western landscape and art of photography set the stage for much of the Longmont Museum’s programming this season. These programs are offered in complement to the special exhibition and are designed to enhance learning and enjoyment around the topics covered in the show.  These programs are all held Thursday evenings as part of the Longmont Museum’s Thursday Nights @ the Museum:  

Concerts: 

The Music of the American Western 
Featuring Deborah Schmit-Lobis (piano/accordion), Tracy LaGuardia (violin/vocals) and Nick Rossi (cello/ guitar/banjo/vocals) 
Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.; $18/$15/12 
Three musical virtuosos take us on a journey through the American West through some of the best Western film scores, including music by the legendary Ennio Morricone. 

Cary Morin: Live in Concert 
Thursday, March 14, 7 p.m.; $18/$15/12 
Described as “one of the best acoustic pickers on the scene today,” Cary Morin crafts an inimitable style often characterized as roots-infused Native Americana with hints of bluegrass, folk, blues and rock. 

Slim Cessna’s Auto Club: Live in Concert 
Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m.; $18/$15/12 
Gothic Americana? Alternative Satanic Country? Denver’s legendary Slim Cessna’s Auto Club is sure to be a show that you will remember. Cowboy hats, horned rimmed glasses and mesmerizing lyrics will mark a night of absolute artistic expression. 

Talks: 

From Film to Phone: Shooting the West 
A conversation with contemporary photographers moderated Mike McClung, Director of the Michael Warren Contemporary Gallery
Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.; free, reservations recommended 
From lugging camera equipment over mountains on the backs of pack mules to tourists taking pictures of Yosemite with an iPhone, the fine art of landscape photography has come a long way in the 200 years since its invention. Join us for a conversation with contemporary photographers as they explore the evolution of photography from its early days to the present. 

 

Picturing Longmont 
Thursday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m.; free, reservations recommended 
Join our Director Erik Mason and new Curator of History Elizabeth Beaudoin as they revisit Longmont’s early days through historic images and stories selected from the Museum’s collection. 

Film:  

“The Big Trail” (1930, NR) 
Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m.; $10/$8/$5 
A wagon train led by scout Breck Coleman (John Wayne, in his first starring role) leaves Westport, Miss., for the Pacific Northwest. The pioneers face roaming buffalo, an encounter with Native Americans and a devastating snowstorm. 

“Once Upon a Time in the West” (1968, PG-13) 
Thursday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.; $10/$8/$5 
Charles Bronson is a soft-spoken, harmonica-playing gunslinger bent on revenge against a brutal assassin played by Henry Fonda. Featuring a musical score by the great Ennio Morricone. 

“Westworld” (1973, PG) 
Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m.; $10/$8/$5 
In a futuristic resort, affluent guests explore various historical eras using lifelike robots to fulfill their fantasies. However, Richard Benjamin’s Wild West choice takes a dark turn when a rogue gunslinger robot (Yul Brynner) wreaks havoc. Directed and written by Michael Crichton. 

“Dead Man” (1995, R) 
Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m.; $10/$8/$5 
Accountant William Blake (Johnny Depp) rides by train to the frontier company town of Machine, where he’s caught in the middle of a fatal lovers’ quarrel. “Dead Man” redefines the western genre with its striking black-and-white visuals and an evocative score by Neil Young. 

“Smoke Signals” (1998, PG) 
Thursday, April 18, 7 p.m.; $10/$8/$5 
Filmed on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation in northwestern Idaho, screenwriter Sherman Alexie’s screenplay has been lauded by Indigenous communities for its authenticity. It follows two young men who reluctantly band together to retrieve their father’s ashes. 

“Asteroid City” (2023, PG-13) 
Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m.; $10/$8/$5 
Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” takes place in a fictional desert town in the American West circa 1955. Superstar cast includes Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Live Schreiber, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie and Jeff Goldblum.   

Learn more and get tickets for these events and more by visiting longmontmuseum.org or calling 303-651-8374.  

William Henry Jackson, “Veta Pass, Colorado,” 1882

Longmont Museum

The Longmont Museum is a center for culture in Northern Colorado where people of all ages explore history, experience art, and discover new ideas through dynamic programs, exhibitions and events. Regional history, internationally-known artists, and hands-on learning are all part of the mix of exhibitions at the Longmont Museum. Permanent exhibits document the 14,000 years of human history in Longmont and the people who helped to create this community. Learn more at longmontmuseum.org or visit 400 Quail Rd., Longmont, Colo., 80501.  

###