Meet the partners of the
Southwest Colorado Humanities Roundtable
Southwest Colorado Humanities Roundtable
Animas Museum
The Animas Museum, located at 3065 West Second Avenue, is a Durango historical landmark owned and operated by the La Plata County Historical Society. It is the only history museum dedicated to preserving La Plata County history and culture. Constructed in 1904 as the Animas City School, the building now houses three galleries of exhibits that explore themes that have affected our history including Native Americans, fire, law enforcement, education, and transportation. The Museum provides events and programming for all ages that help keep our history alive.
Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College
The Center of Southwest Studies shares the mission of Fort Lewis College to provide inclusive, experiential learning environments that foster innovation, growth, and community engagement. As an academic museum, archives, and library dedicated to the diverse cultures, histories, and environments of the Southwest, we provide collections-based learning opportunities and internships for undergraduate students; preserve and provide access to our research collections; and, offer exhibits and educational programs for the College and the public.
Colorado Humanities
Colorado Humanities joins with hundreds of program partners statewide to provide education programs in history, reading, early childhood education, and writing, as well as offering opportunities for conversations about challenging questions facing our communities. We look for ways to make our programs relevant, accessible, inclusive, and effective. Above all, we urge Coloradans to join self-education, contemplation, and conversation for a strong and vibrant democracy. We partner with the National Endowment for the Humanities and are an affiliate of the Library of Congress Center for the Book.
The Durango Herald
The Durango Herald has a long history of serving southwest Colorado. In 1928, Durango’s two newspapers were The Durango Democrat and The Herald. Those papers merged and became The Herald-Democrat. Arthur and Morley Ballantine purchased the Herald-Democrat along with Rod Day’s Durango News in 1952 and the name was changed to the Herald-News.
In 1960, the name was changed to The Durango Herald. The Durango Herald moved to its present location in October 1966, where it has operated ever since.
The Durango Public Library
The Durango Public Library, a department of the City of Durango, was founded in 1889. The current 42,800-square-foot library building opened on December 1, 2008 and is one of the most popular community gathering spaces in Durango. The Library features a dynamic collection of materials and programming for all ages. It is additionally home to the Common Grounds Café in partnership with The Durango School District 9R, and Lela’s Place Used Bookstore in partnership with the Friends of the Library. The Library is currently funded through the joint sales tax fund of the City of Durango and La Plata County.
Ignacio Creative District
In April of 2019, a group of concerned Ignacio business owners and community leaders began meeting to discuss the possibility of helping Ignacio become a designated Creative District. Today, we are a collaborative of dedicated artists, creatives, and engaged community members who have come together to support and foster artistic expression to help the community create, learn, and grow. We believe this will ultimately lead to a more engaged community.
Ignacio Community Library
The Ignacio Community Library is a center that brings people and ideas together. We have physical and digital items for checkout including streaming video, ebooks, e-audio, playaways and more. We also have many nontraditional items such as literacy kits, makerspace kits, and hotspots. Study rooms and meeting rooms are available. We have a makerspace with numerous tools, software, and learning opportunities for patrons of all ages. Programs happen every month and range from book clubs to maker classes, Lego contests to musical events on the plaza.
Life Long Learning Program, Fort Lewis College
Co-Sponsored by the President’s Office and the Professional Associates of Fort Lewis College, the Life-Long Learning Lecture series aims to enrich the intellectual life of the College and the community by offering free presentations on a wide variety of subjects. The Thursday evening programs are open to all and run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Educating Southwest Colorado for the past 22 years.
Life Long Learning Program, Fort Lewis College
Co-Sponsored by the President’s Office and the Professional Associates of Fort Lewis College, the Life-Long Learning Lecture series aims to enrich the intellectual life of the College and the community by offering free presentations on a wide variety of subjects. The Thursday evening programs are open to all and run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Educating Southwest Colorado for the past 22 years.
Maria’s Bookshop
Maria’s Bookshop is a locally-owned, independent bookstore serving the Southwest Colorado community for nearly 40 years. Located in Downtown Durango, Maria’s Bookshop provides an inspiring community hub to locals and visitors alike with friendly, knowledgeable staff, a curated inventory, and excellent customer service.
Pine River Library
Pine River Library is a community hub for the town of Bayfield and beyond. The library offers programs for all ages, electronic and physical materials for checkout, as well as a park and community garden. Events include lectures, films, author talks, workshops, and more.
The Powerhouse
The Powerhouse is a science center for learners of all ages located on the banks of the Animas River in Durango, Colorado. Built in 1892, this historic mission-style building was one of the first AC power plants in the country, and to honor this past, the museum focuses on energy-related themes throughout its exhibit spaces and in its outreach programs. Today, The Powerhouse is a community space for gathering and celebration and a hub of inquiry, discovery, and play through rotating traveling exhibitions, science themed summer camps, and year-long educational programming.
San Juan Basin Archaeological Society
San Juan Basin Archaeological Society (SJBAS) promotes information sharing about archaeological, historical, and cultural resources. We sponsor presentations, newsletters, field trips, internships, scholarships, advocacy, and cooperation with partner organizations including the Center of Southwest Studies; Federal resource agencies; the Colorado Archaeological Society; and the historical societies, parks and museums of La Plata, Archuleta, Montezuma, and San Juan Counties and the Southern Ute Indian and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes. An application for joining SJBAS can be found at SJBAS.org.
Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum
The Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum is one of approximately 200 Tribally-owned museums in the country. We reside in a beautiful space designed by Native architect, John Paul Jones, who also designed the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Our mission is to foster understanding about Colorado’s oldest residents—the Núuchiu (Ute People)—and to encourage people-to-people relations through our programming. Please visit us.
