20th Annual History Alive Colorado West Chautauqua Celebrates “Liberty’s Legacy”
Free community event honors Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Museums of Western Colorado will present the 20th Annual History Alive Colorado West Chautauqua on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cross Orchards Historic Site in Grand Junction. The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s theme, “Liberty’s Legacy,” commemorates Colorado’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th anniversary through a full day of storytelling and living history.
The event features nationally recognized Chautauqua scholars:
- Karen Vuranch as Mother Jones — the fierce labor organizer of the late 1800s and early 1900s who championed miners, workers, and children in the fight for fair labor practices.
- Doug Mishler as Thomas Paine — the influential writer and political thinker whose revolutionary pamphlets helped ignite the American Revolution.
Young Chautauqua performers from Stages of History will also portray historical figures connected to these landmark anniversaries. These young students bring fresh perspectives to the people, ideas, and events that have shaped our history.
Event Details
Date & Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cross Orchards Historic Site, 3073 F Road, Grand Junction, Colorado
Admission: Free and open to the public
Program: Living-history performances, youth theatrical portrayals, interactive interpretation, and community learning throughout the day
Sponsors
The 20th Annual History Alive Colorado West Chautauqua is made possible through the generous support of Lois and Edward Gardner, Mesa County Libraries, and Colorado Humanities.
About History Alive Colorado West Chautauqua
For two decades, History Alive has brought nationally acclaimed Chautauqua scholars and local youth together to explore the people, ideas, and movements that shaped our region and nation. Hosted at Cross Orchards Historic Site, the event continues a 20-year tradition of bringing history to life through performance, conversation, and community storytelling.
Learn more about History Alive Colorado West Chautauqua at museumsofwesternco.org.
About the Museums of Western Colorado
The Museums of Western Colorado is the largest multidisciplinary museum complex between Salt Lake City and Denver. Through Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, the Museum of the West in downtown Grand Junction, and Cross Orchards Historic Site, the organization inspires and connects our community by championing the preservation and exploration of the region’s natural and cultural history.