Community Builders, Cultural Stewards, and Creative Leaders to Align for America 250 | Colorado 150 at MoF

MoF to Host Community Gathering with History Colorado

WALSENBURG, CO (July 8, 2025) — The Museum of Friends (MoF), a regional leader in cultural preservation, creative sector development, and arts-business partnerships, will host a community convening on Thursday, July 17, from 3:00–4:30 PM, in collaboration with Katie Roach, Program Director at History Colorado, and the America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission.

This collaborative planning session will bring together community builders, cultural leaders, educators, nonprofit directors, artists, tourism partners, and civic advocates to explore how Southern Colorado can meaningfully participate in the statewide commemoration of Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood, the nation’s 250th, and Huerfano County’s 16th birthday.

MoF continues to serve as a convener for cross-sector collaboration, helping align local efforts with broader statewide initiatives to increase community impact, strengthen regional identity, and ensure Southern Colorado’s stories, creativity, and contributions are front and center.

Participants will:

• Explore co-branding guidelines and messaging resources to align projects with the celebration• Share project ideas including concerts, exhibitions, public art, and educational programs

• Connect with peers to form local planning groups and organizing committees

• Collaborate on ways to elevate regional narratives and maximize visibility and funding opportunities

“This milestone gives us an opportunity to ensure that our rural community helps define the cultural legacy of Colorado,” said Heather Robinson Hernandez, Strategic Planning Consultant at MoF. “The Museum of Friends is proud to lead these conversations working across sectors to build creative partnerships that deepen community impact and ensure our region is meaningfully represented in America 250 – Colorado 150.”

The session is free and open to all. To learn more, visit www.museumoffriends.org/events.

For statewide tools and resources, visit www.historycolorado.org/colorado-150.

About the Museum of Friends

Located in Walsenburg, Colorado, the Museum of Friends is a contemporary art museum committed to inclusive, community-based cultural programming. MoF champions cross-sector collaboration through exhibitions, public art, education, and leadership initiatives that foster healing, creativity, and regional resilience.

About America 250 – Colorado 150

Led by the Colorado 150 Commission through History Colorado, this statewide initiative commemorates 150 years of Colorado statehood and 250 years of U.S. history. Through inclusive storytelling, community engagement, and civic collaboration, the program honors Colorado’s rich past while empowering communities to shape its future.