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Discover Mid-America — July 2004

Antiquing in Colorado

A great partnership

The Antique Row Business District has voted to become a corporate sponsor of the Colorado Historical Museum. Not only does the district share many common interests with the museum, but also both attractions are located within a few blocks of each other. Contacts have been established and many mutually beneficial ideas have blossomed.

Antique Row members can look forward to a behind-the-scenes archives tour with the museum in the near future. Museum members will be able to sign up for a walking tour of South Broadway Antique Row members’ shops very soon. Educational seminars with the museum are another possibility. (We can both learn from each other!)

After many years, I recently paid a visit to the museum. The featured display was “Icons and Oddities, 125 years of Collecting Colorado.” The Colorado Historical Museum is celebrating its 125th year anniversary.

My response to the displays ranged from total amazement to a good hearty laugh. Colorado is not different from other places in the world when it comes to “oddities.” Probably the most fun object was a beanie style hat entirely covered with crackerjack plastic animals --- truly someone’s labor of love. There was also a large size wreath made entirely of human hair. What started out as a sentimental gesture ended up as a large commercial enterprise? I am surprised as to the amount of hair jewelry I still see in the estates that come my way. There was the inevitable large wheel bicycle, but even better, a pair of blonde curly lambs wool chaps.

The display will remain until Aug. 2. The Colorado Historical Museum is located at 1300 Broadway in Denver. A visit to the museum is a rare treat that the whole family will enjoy. And I repeat, the emphasis is on “oddities.”

By the way, Antique Row Business District was just voted the Readers’ Choice as best of Denver for 2004 by 5280 Magazine.

Congratulations! Great Job.

Syrma Sotiriou is the proprietor of The Treasured Scarab in Denver, and a regular contributor to Discover Mid-America. Contact her at (303) 777-6884.

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