Douglas County artifacts unveiled
The exhibition features a historic oil wagon donated to Douglas County from a ranch in Limon.
On November 21, the Parker Water and Sanitation District (PWSD) held an opening ceremony for the exhibition “Thriving Through Time: Adaptation on the Palmer Divide,” the largest display of Douglas County artifacts to date. From tools used by early indigenous communities to Industrial Revolution-era machinery, the artifacts tell the story of adaptation and innovation across thousands of years.
The exhibition explores unique human adaptations on the Palmer Divide, the geographical ridge running through Douglas County, from agricultural developments to water usage. In his opening ceremony speech, archaeology consultant Todd McMahon said he hopes the exhibit “tells the story that is uniquely Douglas County,” and highlights the Palmer Divide “not just as a geological feature, but as a living connection to culture, communities and water systems that continue to shape our region today.”
The display features artifacts from early mammoth hunters to gold rush pioneers, curated to demonstrate resilience and innovation throughout history. Highlighting from an indigenous perspective, the exhibition’s goal is to further educate about the continued Native American presence in Douglas County and celebrate the knowledge and practices passed down through generations. With a call to protect local archaeology sites, the organizers seek to raise awareness for the active goal of preservation in the county, and the impact that water, climate and landscape continue to have on shaping our future.
The exhibition is the joint effort of the Douglas County Historic Preservation Board (HPB), PWSD, Douglas County Libraries and tribal partners to educate the public on the rich history of the county. HPB chair Chris Schutzenberger said, “We really want to increase public access to the artifacts and treasures in the county.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public during PWSD headquarters’ regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., located at 13939 Ancestry Drive in Parker.
For more information visit douglas.co.us and search “artifact.”
Organizers and contributors smile for a photo, representing PWSD, HPB, the Douglas County History Repository and more. Pictured left to right: Chris Schutzenberger, Brittany Cassell, Lauren Pulver, Todd McMahon, Kati Carter, Ron Redd and Merlin Klotz.
Article and photos by Jada Horan
