Telluride Historical Museum Announces

“Moments That Made US: San Miguel Stories”,

New 2026-2027 Annual Exhibition for

America 250/Colorado 150 Commemoration

Telluride, Colorado, June 1, 2026 — Telluride Historical Museum announces its upcoming 2026-2027 annual exhibit, Moments That Made US: San Miguel Stories, a special exhibition during the America 250/Colorado 150 commemoration that explores how generations of Americans in San Miguel County and beyond have given meaning to the ideals set out in the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition looks back across centuries and highlights both challenging and celebratory times, while exploring five themes drawn directly from the Declaration of Independence: Created Equal; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Free and Independent States; Consent of the Governed; and We Mutually Pledge. The featured moments weave together multiple perspectives from some of San Miguel County’s most significant stories alongside defining moments from United States history. By examining national ideals through the lens of one community, the exhibition connects local experiences to the broader American story. Together, these moments remind us that history was never inevitable, but shaped at every turn by the people who lived it.

The exhibition adapts the acclaimed Moments That Made US exhibition created by History Colorado (currently on view at the History Colorado Center in Denver) into a format that allows host venues to customize it for their audiences and connect local history to the nation’s story.

“We were looking for a meaningful way to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary while also placing our history into the broader context of American History,”  Executive Director Kiernan Lannon said. “Thankfully, History Colorado made it easier for us through this adaptable exhibit.  I think visitors will gain a better understanding of just how influential the Declaration of Independence was to the development of both the country as a whole as well as to the story of local communities like San Miguel County.  It continues to have relevance generations after our Founding Fathers authored it.”

Moments That Made US will be on view at the Telluride Historical Museum from June 11, 2026 – April 3, 2027. Join us for an opening reception, free and open to the public, on June 11, from 5 – 8pm.