Greeley Commission Seeks Speakers for 2026 History Hour Series
The Greeley Historic Preservation Commission is accepting proposals from historians, educators and community members interested in presenting at the 2026 History Hour Series, which provides monthly educational programs on local heritage and historic preservation topics.
Presentations should run 30 to 45 minutes with time for audience questions. Most sessions take place on Thursdays at noon at the Greeley History Museum at 714 8th Street, though scheduling can be adjusted to accommodate speakers' availability, according to the city.
Prospective speakers can contact Historic Preservation Office staff member Betsy Kellums at 970-350-9222 or [email protected] to discuss potential topics and available dates.
Past Programs Featured Diverse Local Topics
The series has covered a wide range of subjects connecting Greeley residents to their community's cultural and architectural heritage. Recent presentations included examinations of early commercial enterprises like Emma Malaby Grocery, documentation efforts through the Mexican American History Project Greeley, and living history performances by Young Chautauquans.
The commission presented its final 2025 History Hour program on October 23, commemorating the centennial of the Rattlesnake Kate legend. Local historian Tannis Bator portrayed Kate Slaughterback, who reportedly killed 140 rattlesnakes near Hudson on October 28, 1925, while Augusta Rudnick from Centennial Village Museum analyzed how newspapers spread the story across the country.
Other programs examined infrastructure development critical to the region's growth. A presentation on 150 Years of Greeley Water History traced the city's pioneering irrigation systems from the Union Colony's founding in 1870 through modern water management.
Greeley's water legacy began when Nathan Meeker and the Union Colony established one of the West's first communal irrigation systems in 1870. The city created municipal water works in 1907, bringing infrastructure under public control and enabling expansion that supported agricultural development across Weld County.
Commission Promotes Heritage Education and Preservation
The Greeley Historic Preservation Commission was established in 1995 through city ordinance to guide protection of historically significant properties and promote public understanding of local heritage. The seven-member commission appointed by City Council reviews nominations for the Greeley Historic Register, advises city officials on preservation policy, and conducts community outreach.
The History Hour Series represents one component of the commission's educational programming. Sessions provide opportunities for community members to learn about architectural styles, cultural movements, historic figures and economic development patterns that shaped Greeley and surrounding areas.
The commission operates under Chapter 10 of Title 24 of the Greeley Municipal Code, which establishes its authority to designate historic landmarks, review alterations to protected properties, and supervise surveys of heritage resources throughout the city.
The Greeley History Museum opened in 2005 following renovation of the former Greeley Tribune building. The museum maintains collections of artifacts, photographs and documents relating to the city's founding, agricultural heritage and diverse cultural history. The facility is typically open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Potential presenters should be prepared to discuss topics relevant to Greeley and Weld County history, architectural preservation, or cultural heritage. The commission welcomes proposals from academic researchers, local historians, preservation specialists and community members with expertise in relevant subject areas.