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The Civil War State

Colorado was pivotal in keeping the Union together.

A A A Comments By Amber Taufen Thursday, Jan 18 2007

Colorado has caught Civil War fever, a direct result of the Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation exhibit's stop in our fair state. Now you can beef up your knowledge — and your personal library — at the Civil War Book Sale, taking place today from noon to 5 p.m. and tomorrow from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at the Aurora Central Library, 14949 East Alameda Parkway. Don't be fooled by the name: The sale, which runs from noon to 5 p.m. today and 12:30 to 6 p.m. tomorrow, will include a wide variety of cookbooks, fiction and non-fiction, from the Civil War to Disney to Hitler. Take a break from browsing tomorrow at 2 p.m. and head over to the Aurora History Museum, 15051 East Alameda Parkway, to learn what role — if any — Colorado played in that nation-rifting conflict.

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Charles Counts — a longtime Civil War expert and historian — has spent years discovering how this region shaped and was shaped by the war. He'll share that knowledge during a Civil War Photography talk at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 East Alameda Parkway. "Most folks are just totally unaware of Colorado's role, or that Colorado had any role in the Civil War," says Counts, "so that's kind of the purpose of the talk: to let people know that there was a strong connection between the events of that time period, the Civil War and the birth of Colorado."

It makes sense, if you think about it. As Counts explains, "Many of the initial and successful gold-seekers came from the South, so there was a strong Southern presence in the area. There was a very strong possibility that the resources and populace could have easily swung the other way — and bullion is definitely a lot easier to spend in European markets for arms than cotton."

The free photography talk is for ages eight and up. Visit www.auroralibrary.org or call 303-739-6600 for information on both events.
Sat., Jan. 20, 12-5 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 21, 12:30-6 p.m.

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