The Moments that Made US

Commemorating both the U.S. Semiquincentennial and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood, History Colorado’s Moments That Made Us exhibition gathers together 50 unique artifacts that witnessed key inflection points in the nation’s history.

Visitors are invited to consider the turning points that helped shape the United States through objects such as: the spurs worn by George Washington during his winter at Valley Forge; a Ford’s Theater playbill for “Our American Cousin” from the evening Abraham Lincoln was assassinated; an inkwell used during the signing of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House; an 1893 Colorado women's suffrage ballot; Jackie Robinson’s bat from the Brooklyn Dodgers; moon rocks from Apollo 11; and a New York City fireman’s helmet from the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001. While some objects come from History Colorado’s own collection, more than half are on loan and have never before been exhibited in Colorado. In each of these turning points, visitors encounter different perspectives on the struggles, triumphs, setbacks, and resilience that made this nation.

Supported by a Celebrate America! NEH grant,  Moments that Made US is on view at the History Colorado Center in Denver until October 18, 2026.