FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 23, 2012
Historic Preservation Month Celebration will give 650 fifth graders opportunity to “live history” May 2
WHO: Six hundred and fifty fifth graders from area schools will attend a Civil War Day of Living History, presented by
the Aurora History Museum and the Aurora Public Library in celebration of Historic Preservation Month.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 9:50 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
WHERE:

Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway (east of Chambers Road, across from the Aurora
Municipal Center)

Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway (between the Aurora Municipal Center and the Police
Department)

DeLaney Farm, 170 S. Chambers Road, Aurora (just north of Chambers and Alameda)
WHAT: Students will learn about facets of early Colorado history as they rotate among various stations. All stations
will operate from 9:50 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The stations are as follows:
Abraham Lincoln, Aurora Central Library, First Floor, Community Room

President Abraham Lincoln steps briefly into the 21st century with a presentation by re-enactor John Voehl.
Mining in Colorado, Aurora Central Library, First Floor, Room A

An outreach educator from the Molly Brown House will teach the students about Colorado’s mining history with
touchable historical artifacts and gold samples.
Underground Railroad, Aurora Central Library, First Floor, Room B

Sandy Sweeney, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presents the history of the
Underground Railroad.
Civil War Soldier, Aurora History Museum, Community Gallery

Re-enactor Bud Jenkyns, dressed in full regalia, plays the role of a real Confederate soldier who served during
the Civil War and survived. Jenkyns discusses his weaponry, attire, the soldier’s life and battles in which he
fought.
Homesteading Trunk, Aurora History Museum, Hands-on Room

In this hands-on presentation, Betty Luttkus, dressed in pioneer attire, pulls from her trunk a variety of artifacts
that were used or worn during homesteading in the Civil War era in Colorado.
Buffalo Soldiers, DeLaney Farm

Several Buffalo Soldiers on horseback discuss what it was like to be a black soldier during the Civil War,
describe how the Buffalo Soldiers came to be in 1866, and talk about their uniforms, horses and such.
1st Regiment of Colorado Volunteers, DeLaney Farm

A number of members of the 1st Regiment of Colorado Volunteers discuss their Union uniforms, a typical
campsite and what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War.
Wildlife of the Old West, DeLaney Farm

Naturalist Liz Wickard with the city of Aurora teaches students about the wild creatures that homesteaders and
Native Americans would have encountered in 1860s Colorado.
Campfire Cooking, DeLaney Farm

Renee Saba, a member of the 1st Regiment of Colorado Volunteers, demonstrates how Civil War soldiers ate.
Students also will sample similar food from the Civil War era during this cookout.
Historic Toys, DeLaney Farm

With the help of library and museum staff, students will assemble a historic toy, similar to something a child
would have made in the 1870s.
Gully House Tour, DeLaney Farm

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act into law during his presidency. Two volunteers provide
tours of the 1866 Gully Homestead House and discuss homesteading.
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Media Contact:
Julie Patterson
Senior Public Information Officer
303-739-6617
jpatters@auroragov.org