Third Thursday History Talks at the Stole Shed: Pioneer Town
Delve into the vibrant stories, hidden heritage, and diverse cultures that shaped our region with the return of the popular Third Thursday History Talks at the Pioneer Town Museum! Hosted inside the historic atmosphere of the Stolte Shed in Cedaredge, this engaging summer lecture series brings local history to life through expert perspectives, archaeological insight, and community heritage.
Taking place on the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 PM, these evening presentations offer a unique window into the past for history buffs, lifelong learners, and curious neighbors alike. This July and August, explore two distinctly captivating sides of Western Slope history:
Featured Lectures
📅 July 17th, 2026 at 5:30 PM | Colorado in 1876: A Tale of Two States
Presenter: Curtis Martin (Archaeologist, Historian, Principal Investigator for the Wickiup Project, and recipient of multiple Colorado preservation and archaeology awards).
The Presentation: Step back into Colorado’s monumental statehood era. Martin explores what life actually looked like on the Western Slope during the exact year Colorado joined the Union. This talk brilliantly contrasts the rapid technological and political changes sweeping the rest of the nation with the quieter, complex realities of Western Colorado during the Contact Era. Blending humor, deep regional history, and decades of pioneering archaeological research, Martin offers a fascinating, invaluable perspective on early Colorado, regional Ute history, and the indigenous cultural landscapes of the Western Slope.
📅 August 20th, 2026 at 5:30 PM | Stitched into the Past with the S&B Quilter’s Guild
Presenter: The S&B Quilter’s Guild.
The Presentation: Discover the rich personal stories and local legacies stitched directly into our community’s past. Through a beautiful display of historic quilts, traditional geometric patterns, and deeply personal narratives, this engaging talk explores how the art of quilting has served as a powerful medium for preserving regional heritage, marking major life milestones, and connecting generations of families. Join us for a cozy evening that perfectly blends textile artistry and domestic history.
Event Details
When: Thursday, July 17 & Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Where: Stolte Shed at Pioneer Town Museum, 388 S Grand Mesa Dr, Cedaredge, CO 81413
Admission: Open to the community!
