Animas Museum Hosts March 14 Talk: Women Behind Mesa Verde, Antiquities Act

The Animas Museum will present a free public talk titled "Architects of Preservation: The Women Behind Mesa Verde and the Antiquities Act" at 1 p.m. March 14, with in-person attendance at 3065 West Second Ave., Durango, and a simultaneous Zoom option. The program is scheduled as part of Women’s History Month and to mark the 120th anniversary of the Antiquities Act and the creation of Mesa Verde National Park.

The talk will focus on the role of women in the early preservation movement, specifically their roles in Mesa Verde National Park’s creation and in the passage of the Antiquities Act, the event listing states. That subject ties local history in southwestern Colorado to a national conservation milestone, with the presentation framed around the activists and preservation efforts that shaped Mesa Verde and the federal law that protected antiquities.

Practical details for attendees are spelled out in the event notice. "There is no charge for this presentation, which will be recorded." In-person visitors can find the museum at 3065 West Second Ave.; remote attendees may register to receive a Zoom link via the museum’s Events page. For questions or confirmation the museum lists phone 259-2402 and email info@animasmuseum.org.

The event listing provides logistical clarity but omits some program particulars. The listing gives the March 14 date and 1 p.m. start time but does not explicitly state the year; the page footer on the listing carries a 2026 copyright. The listing also does not supply presenter names, speaker affiliations, or the length of the talk, so those details will need to be confirmed directly with the museum by phone at 259-2402 or by email at info@animasmuseum.org.

Organizers note the presentation will be recorded, but the event notice does not specify where or when the recording will be posted. Attendees seeking a recorded copy or details about in-person capacity and any pre-registration requirements should contact the museum at the listed phone number or email for specifics.

This March 14 program gives Durango residents and remote viewers a free, recorded opportunity to revisit the early preservation movement through the lens of the women who helped secure Mesa Verde and the Antiquities Act. The Animas Museum is hosting the event at its West Second Avenue location and online, combining local venue access at 3065 West Second Ave. with a remote Zoom option for broader participation.