Denver’s Democratic History
Denver and the Democratic National Convention go way back. 100 years, to be exact. The first Denver Democratic National Convention took place in 1908 – and was a defining symbol of the Mile High City’s transformation from hardscrabble western town to world-class metropolis. With the 2008 Convention nearly upon us, it’s the perfect time to look back. Take some time in the upcoming weeks to explore Denver’s Democratic History, along with a host of other fun
historical events. 
1908: When The Democrats First Came To Denver
At the Denver Public Library (10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.), explore Denver through the eyes of a Democratic National Convention delegate from 100 years ago in 1908—When the Democrats First Came to Denver. Collections from the Denver Public Library’s Western History Department and the Colorado Historical Society are combined for this joint exhibit, which includes more than 100 photographs, newspapers and cartoons illustrating the places across the metro area where the 1908 delegates visited and the memorabilia they took home with them. Curated by Myron Vallier of the Denver Public Library Western History/Genealogy Department and Judy Steiner, Colorado Historical Society Associate Curator of Photography and Films. More info at www.denverlibrary.org and www.coloradohistory.org.
1908 Denver Democratic National Convention Memorabilia at Regis University
Visitors to Regis University’s Dayton Memorial Library have the opportunity to view rare, historical campaign items from several U.S. presidents and political candidates as part of the Notarianni Political Collection. A portion of the collection includes a limited number of 1908 Denver Democratic National Convention objects, which will remain on display through September 25. Get more info at http://www.regis.edu/.
Brown Palace Presidential Tours
Having hosted every U.S. president since Teddy Roosevelt, except Calvin Coolidge, and serving as the host hotel for the 1908 Democratic National Convention, The Brown Palace has enjoyed a rich presidential past filled with colorful anecdotes. Beginning Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 1 p.m., the public can explore these stories on a guided tour. Presidential tours will be offered every Saturday at 1 p.m. through Aug. 9, 2008. Reservations required. Call: 303-294-3618. The Brown Palace Hotel has welcomed many political dignitaries and has even recognized three of the most notable (Eisenhower, Reagan and Roosevelt) by naming presidential suites after them. Coincidently, they are all republicans, and in honor of the return of the Democratic National Convention, the Eisenhower Suite will be renamed the Barack Obama Suite through the end of the convention. As in the other presidential suites, paraphernalia and photos will decorate the room. A sight to be seen will be the massive 16-by-30-foot U.S. flag that will be hung in the center of the atrium lobby on Thursday, July 3, at 11 a.m. The flag was hung in the 1960s and was taken down in 1996. This historic flag will be hung through the end of the Democratic National Convention.
The American Presidential Experience: A Non-Partisan Tribute to Presidential History
The American Presidential Experience, the largest traveling exhibit of presidential memorabilia, will be open to the public and located at Invesco Field. at Mile High (Parking Lot D) from Aug. 22 - 29. Appearing for the first time in the Rocky Mountain Region, the spectacular 150,000-square-foot, non-partisan exhibit invites everyone to learn more about democracy in action through educational exhibits celebrating three centuries of presidential history. The exhibit will include a wide variety of items and activities, including life-size replicas of Air Force One and the Oval Office, six presidential libraries (from three Republican and three Democratic administrations), a collection of first lady gowns, and celebrity book author signings. For more information, please visit www.presidentialexperience.com or http://www.denverconvention2008.com/.
City Park Fountain
For the 1908 Democratic National Convention, Denver commissioned a magnificent fountain for Ferril Lake in City Park. The fountain has sat unused and inoperative for close to a decade, but on Aug. 19th, in honor of the 2008 Convention, Mayor John Hickenlooper will turn the Prismatic Electric Fountain on yet again. The fountain's 90-foot high water and light display will wow visitors during the week of the Convention and beyond.
Steam Locomotive At Union Station, Aug. 20-28
Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad and will be on display during the Democratic National Convention in Denver at Union Station. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger. The engine has run hundreds of thousands of miles as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill. It has made appearances at Expo '74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Statio n in 1989. Hailed as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," the engine is widely known among railroad enthusiasts for its excursion runs, especially over Union Pacific's fabled crossing of Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming.