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Cultural Services Survey & Open Houses
Monday, August 3 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Louisville Public Library, 951 Spruce Street
Tuesday, August 11 | 6–7:30 p.m.
Superior Civic Space, 2250 Main Street, Superior
Thursday, August 13 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Louisville Recreation & Senior Center, 900 Via Appia Way
Take the survey about the future of Cultural Services
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Colorado Day
Saturday, August 1 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
1001 Main Street
Learn more
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Summer Preschool Programs: Trees
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First Friday: Moments That Made Us
Friday, August 7 | 6–8 p.m.
1001 Main Street
Learn more
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Living Legends: Trailblazing Ladies of Louisville Walking Tour
Saturday, August 8 | 3 time slots from 10–10:40 a.m.
1001 Main Street
Learn more and register here
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History Happy Hour: The Corrupt State Election of 1904 with David Hosansky
Tuesday, August 11 | 5:30–7 p.m.
The Simon, 957 Main St
Register here
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What is Colorado Day?
On August 1, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation making Colorado the 38th state. Colorado earned the nickname “The Centennial State” as statehood was granted 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Created in 1975, this blue-accented license plate from the Museum’s collections, commemorated the state centennial in 1976. Since 1907, Coloradans have observed Colorado Day as the anniversary of statehood, and August 1 will be the sesquicentennial of the state!
Before 1876, groups both in and out of Colorado argued over statehood for 17 years, and the first push to join the Union was in 1859 at the end of a decade of population boom. National politics halted Colorado statehood for fear that admitting the state would shift Congressional votes. Inside the territory that would become Colorado, some residents were hesitant to lose the funding that territories received and did not want to begin paying taxes required under state status. Other groups feared losing rights and the end of treaty agreements they had under territory status. Colorado’s history is at times both inspiring and devasting, and the Museum encourages you to come by the August 7 First Friday event to learn more about the state’s history and celebrate the diverse communities that call Colorado home.
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Cultural Services Survey
Louisville Cultural Services is developing a new Strategic Plan, and the Museum is excited to gather community input on how we preserve, interpret, and share Louisville’s history. Whether you visit often or simply value our city’s heritage, your perspective helps us plan for exhibitions, programs, and preservation priorities that reflect our community. Take the survey at the link below, or pick up a paper copy at the Library, Museum, or any City event through the end of August. Your voice matters—thank you for helping shape what comes next.
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Colorado Day
Step back in time and celebrate Colorado Day at the Museum! The Blue Parrot will be returning to Louisville during the event as a food truck. Enjoy old Louisville traditions like pizzelles, Italian games, and a slipper kicking contest. Watch historic actors perform throughout the Museum campus and meet the characters between showtimes.
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First Friday: Moments That Made Us
Throughout 2026, the Museum will be exploring the founding values of our nation in recognition of the US 250/CO 150 anniversary celebrations. Join us at this First Friday to learn about the moments that made Louisville and Colorado! Create a state flag craft, make a US 250/CO 150 events passport, and learn the meaning of the word Sesquisemiquincentennial!
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History Happy Hour: The Corrupt Election of 1904
David Hosansky will present on the controversial 1904 gubernatorial election in Colorado and ensuing First Amendment court case. Historians consider the election the most corrupt in Colorado state history, and Colorado had three different governors in a single day! Join us at The Simon to learn all about this fascinating moment in the state's political history. Registration is requested.
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Membership
Join or Renew Today!
We love our members! Members can renew online, via mail, or in person. As a reminder, if paying by check, please make your membership check out to the Louisville Historical Museum and remember to make any monetary donations separately to the Louisville History Foundation. Thank you for your support!
Not a member yet? Join today with the perfect membership type for you. The Historical Museum offers individual, family, and business memberships, as well as gift memberships so that you can give someone who loves Louisville and history full access to all that the Museum has to offer.
Museum members receive the Louisville Historian in the mail four times each year. You can also make a donation directly to the Louisville History Foundation to support the work the Museum does and special projects.
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740 Front
Alternating Current Press
ARC Thrift Stores
Ariel IT Services
Atomic Forge
Berkelhammer Tree Experts, Inc.
Bolder Insurance
Coal Creek Collision Center
Cory Nickerson - 8z Real Estate
Creative Framing & Art Gallery
DAJ Design, Inc.
Deep End Solutions
E & L Team at RE/MAX Elevate
Ferguson's Family Plumbing and Drain
Fingerplay Studios
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Gstalder Louisville Law Group
Hofgard & Associates, P.C.
Louisville Cyclery
Louisville Tire & Auto Care
Moxie Bread Co.
Origin CPA Group
Parco Dello Zingaro MHP
Paul's Coffee & Tea
Pine Street Plaza
Pink House Co.
Premier Members Credit Union
Seward Mechanical Systems
Society of Italian Americans
Stewart Architecture
Ters Family Dentistry
The Singing Cook
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Historic Photo Feature
Taken in 1923, this photograph shows Florence (Flora) and Henry Hawkins on their wedding day. Flora, seated, holds a large, draping bouquet, and Henry stands in a suit to her right. Two cousins, one from either branch of the merging families, stand to the left of the couple.
Henry Hawkins was raised by his grandparents, the Rasmusons, after the death of his father in British military service. Believing his mother was unfit to care for Henry and his brother, the Rasmuson’s immigrated to Louisville to join their other daughter, Ellen, and her family. Henry and John were 11 and 8 years old when they sailed on the RMS Lusitania to the United States. Six years later, this ship would be sunk by a German torpedo and be cited as a factor in the U.S. joining World War I. At the age of 19, John was killed in a mining accident in Monarch Mine #2. Working as a cager, he was crushed by an elevator cage in the mineshaft.
While Henry spoke little about the Hawkins’ hardships, one of his daughters, Gloria, recalled he felt welcomed into his wife, Flora’s large Italian family. The Zarini family had ties to Louisville since 1890, and Flora was one of eight Zarini children. Henry was lovingly called “Rassie,” a nickname derived from his grandparents’ surname, by Flora’s family. The Hawkins would have three children of their own. To support his family, Henry worked in various roles in the mines, including as a foreman, and he would take up carpentry work in the off seasons.
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