Venture into the Unknown – Save the Date!
Since 2006, a group of local volunteers have dedicated their time and energy to bringing history to life during the History Alive! Colorado West Chautauqua festival. Each year, the festival brings in Coloradans across the Mesa County area to enjoy living history portrayals by nationally acclaimed professional Chautauqua scholars. Each of these performances then serves as a stepping stone for greater discussions during daytime events and evening presentations. This year's theme, "Venture into the Unknown," will bring portrayals of notable historical figures who have made scientific breakthroughs that changed life as we knew it. Features for 2025 include Hedy Lamarr, Nikola Tesla, Charles Darwin, and Marie Curie.
The festival will take place September 12-13, 2025 in the evenings at the Grand Valley Event Center, and daytime events will be held at Mesa County Public Libraries.
Two Rivers Chautauqua
Today, Chautauqua has been reinvented as a way to bring the humanities, especially history, back to life. Organizations across the country bring in professional scholar-actors (Chautauquans) who portray historical characters then answer questions in and out of character. These modern-day Chautauquas are usually sponsored by state humanities councils.
Upcoming Events
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