Exploring the Natural and Human History of Gold
Paul Morgan, PhD, curator of geology and chair, Earth Sciences Department, and
Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, PhD, curator of anthropology, Department of Anthropology
Impress your friends with your vast knowledge of gold after taking this special course! The Museum’s two lead curators on the temporary exhibition GOLD will reveal the fascinating geology of gold and the ways in which humans have craved and crafted it for millennia. Never before has such a large array of gold objects been assembled in Colorado, and the Museum contributed dozens of specimens for the exhibition. Learn more about some of the largest gold pieces ever discovered, the nuggets that led the birth of the American West, and the artifacts that inspired the myth of El Dorado. Class includes two private tours of GOLD and a look at Museum objects not featured in the exhibition.
Tuesdays & Thursdays, February 19–28
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Classroom 311
$85 member, $110 nonmember
Hidden Treasures of the Collections: Gold (Sold Out)
Paul Morgan, PhD, curator of geology and chair, Earth Sciences Department
Thar’s gold in them collections! Join Morgan for a mini historical lecture on finding and mining gold, followed by a look at Museum gold objects and specimens that are not on public display. This event includes a guided tour of Coors Mineral Hall and the Campion gold collection. Group size is limited, so reserve your space today. For ages 12 and up.
Tuesday, March 4
7:00 p.m.
$20 member, $25 nonmember
Loot: The Global Trade in Plundered Artifacts
Roger Atwood, journalist and contributing editor, Archaeology magazine
Join us for a fascinating evening with this intrepid journalist and author. Atwood’s journeys through Iraq, Peru, Hong Kong, and across America reveal how the worldwide antiquities trade is destroying what’s left of the ancient sites before archaeologists can reach them, thus distorting the historical record and causing the loss of critical information about the past. Despite efforts by archaeologists, law enforcement officials, and national governments, the illegal trade is erasing the physical remains of ancient civilizations around the world. Discover how the largest known piece of Precolumbian gold, weighing in at three pounds, wound up in a smuggler’s trunk in New Jersey! Atwood is the author of Stealing History: Tomb Raiders, Smugglers, and the Looting of the Ancient World.
Thursday, March 6
7:00 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$12 member, $15 nonmember
Book sale + signing
Gold Mining: Weighing the Social and Environmental Costs
Stuart Kirsch, PhD, Program in Agrarian Studies, Yale University, and associate professor of anthropology, University of Michigan
Is it possible to balance our needs and desires for gold and copper with concerns about the environment and the rights of indigenous peoples? Kirsch reflects on two decades of research among the peoples living downstream from the Ok Tedi copper and gold mine in Papua New Guinea. The project has caused extensive deforestation and damage to local rivers, creating economic hardships for these communities. Yet the mine also has been an important source of revenue for the government. This tension has made the Ok Tedi mine one of the most controversial mining projects in the Pacific. Kirsch describes the legal struggle that revolved around this mine—and drew international attention—and what lessons can be learned from the ensuing debate.
Wednesday, April 9
7:00 p.m.
Ricketson Auditorium
$12 member, $15 nonmember
Visit a Gold Mine
Paul Morgan, PhD, curator of geology and chair, Earth Sciences Department
Join us for a bus trip to Victor, Colorado, to visit the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company, a modern-day working mine. A private tour of this open-pit mine will show the realistic side of today’s gold mining industry. This course includes a visit to the Cripple Creek District Museum to view the artifacts, tools, implements, and historical photos of the Cripple Creek gold rush.
Saturday, May 3
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
$80 member, $105 nonmember
A History of Colorado Gold Production
Bruce Geller, PhD, director, Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum
The words gold mining are nearly synonymous with the words state of Colorado. Join geologist Geller as together you explore the fascinating geological history of Colorado gold mining. There will be some surprises: Did you know that Colorado’s cumulative gold production is estimated at more than 42.5 million troy ounces? Did you know that our largest gold producer was one of the last giant deposits to be discovered? Did you know that some of our richest deposits contain gold in compounds that don’t even resemble the refined yellow metal? Would you believe that a significant amount of Colorado’s gold production came from the mining of “fool’s gold”?
Tuesday, May 20
Ricketson Auditorium
7:00 p.m.
$12 member, $15 nonmember
Digging into Colorado’s Rich Mining History
Paul Morgan, PhD, chair of the Earth Sciences Department, and Jack Murphy, curator of geology emeritus, team up to lead you to southwestern Colorado to experience some of the most spectacular scenery and richest mines in the world. Depart Denver for the lovely San Juan Mountains and explore Old Hundred Gold Mine and Mayflower Mill in Silverton to learn the techniques and engineering feats involved in the mining and processing of gold. Murphy will share his roadside-geology expertise along the way. Please note: Due to the altitude of 10,000+ feet, walking requirements, mine tours, and possibility of weather extremes, this tour is considered strenuous.
August 1–3
$795 per person
$965 single occupancy
Information +reservations
303.659.4858/1.888.443.3350 or
lwt@leisurewesttours.com
