In 2021, the American Association for State and Local History asked communities across the country to start thinking about 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. They challenged us to look beyond the original 13 colonies and consider what was happening across the vast lands that would one day become the United States.
At the Animas Museum, we took that challenge seriously because we have a story worth telling. While the Liberty Bell rang in Philadelphia, two Franciscan friars – Fray Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Fray Silvestre Vélez de Escalante – were preparing for a remarkable journey that brought them through the very place we now call home. Their expedition followed trails that had already been used for centuries, shaped long ago by volcanoes, glaciers and an ancient inland sea. Those same natural forces still shape our lives and communities today.
Colorado will mark two milestones in 2026: 250 years of American independence and 150 years of Colorado statehood. On Aug. 1, 1876, Colorado joined the Union as the 38th state, earning the nickname “The Centennial State.”
Nearly three years ago, the Southwest Colorado Local Organizing Committee came together, representing eight counties – Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel. Through public meetings and collaboration, the group identified local partners, launched a website and newsletter, and began developing projects to bring our region’s shared history to life.
The Animas Museum has been involved from the beginning, providing administrative support and developing programs to prepare for 2026. These include our current “Ute Knowledge” exhibit, magazine articles, a new exhibit under development and a full slate of programming – webinars, lectures, education programs and our annual publication History La Plata.
The Committee has developed five signature initiatives – all of which have come to fruition without state or national funding. The “Passport to Southwest Colorado” encourages families to explore landmarks and stories across the region. Another project, “Sing Colorado,” celebrates the state’s musical heritage through a free online tool kit available at colorado150southwest.org. The theme, “Power of Place,” has inspired exhibits and programs exploring how the natural environment has shaped human history in this rugged and remarkable corner of the state. An Oral History Initiative includes an inventory of existing oral histories and training in collecting new stories. Finally, a commemorative magazine will be published this fall.
Guided by the Power of Place theme, the Animas Museum began focusing not just on Domínguez and Escalante themselves, but on the trail they followed – a route used for centuries and still recognizable today. Building on this idea of the trail, we are developing an exhibit that weaves together the stories of the Ancient Pueblos, the Utes, the Spanish and later Euro-American settlers – all of whom left lasting marks on the region and its society. This new exhibit will connect to History Colorado’s marquee exhibition, “Moments That Made Us,” which explores five themes drawn from the Declaration of Independence. Local museums like ours will contribute local stories and artifacts. The exhibit opening is planned for March 2026.
Fifty years ago, during the Bicentennial, the nation was swept up in a wave of red, white and blue enthusiasm. Fire hydrants, T-shirts and parade floats all joined the celebration. Now it’s our turn – but this time, we can go deeper. We can reflect on how our local stories connect to the broader American story and how the landscapes of southwest Colorado continue to shape who we are.
The 2026 commemorations aren’t just about looking back. They’re about recognizing that history is still being written – here, by us. As we mark these milestones, we have the opportunity to honor our past, celebrate our communities, and imagine the next chapter of the story that began long before the Liberty Bell rang.
Susan Jones is curator of the Animas Museum in Durango. She serves on the Southwest Colorado Local Organizing Committee helping plan regional events for America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th anniversaries. For more information, visit animasmuseum.org or colorado150southwest.org.
