Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1

You and your students should arrange to be dropped off at the Byers-Evans House, 1310 Bannock. Two of your chaperones will be designated Gear Guards, responsible for going with the busses to place all gear (sleeping bags, toiletries, etc.) at the Grant-Humphreys Mansion. See below for more explanation. The Byers-Evans House will also be available for any students who become ill, are too tired to continue with the activities, or otherwise need a place to remove themselves from the day. Any students thus removed must be accompanied by a chaperone.

These first activities of the day will begin with a walk across Civic Center Park to take the 16 th Street Mall shuttle toward LoDo, where Denver’s history began. Your tour of this area will include Larimer Square, Union Station, Confluence Park and Cherry Creek. As Denver’s original street, Larimer will offer students a glimpse of Larimer’s many incarnations, from rough and tumble, through skid row, to elegant shopping square today. Characters such as Soapy Smith and William McGaa and many more will feature into these tales. Union Station, once the center of Denver, is approaching a rebirth. Students will get to see how the railways of the west influenced Denver, bringing it to prosper while others remained in its shadow. Cheery Creek, Confluence Park and other parts of LoDo and neighboring areas will make for an entertaining and informative morning.

These activities entail a great deal of walking, listening and attentiveness. Students will be able to gain much information for their class assignments, and will be out in the elements. Rest breaks, for sitting and using bathrooms, will be available. Toward the end of this time, we will take a bus to the Four Mile House, and lunch

A box lunch will be provided. If the weather allows, we will eat outside on the grounds of the Four Mile House. If the weather is inclement, lunch will be eaten inside.

Constructed in 1859, the Four Mile House was a way station for travelers coming in and out of Denver and is the oldest building in the city. You and your students will travel to this historic site via RTD, the bus 83L. While there, your students will participate in butter making, doing pioneer era chores and gold panning. Free time will also be available to explore the park around this historic edifice.

Once back downtown, students will explore Civic Center Park and learn about its history, art and surrounding buildings. Civic Center Park was the result of one powerful man’s vision for Denver’s future. Mayor Robert Speer brought about many of Denver’s most beautiful elements, including the park, though not always through the most savory of methods. Next, the Brown Palace Hotel. While not the oldest in Denver, the Brown Palace Hotel is the oldest retaining its original design and atmosphere. You and your students will tour this and neighboring historic structures before making your way to a downtown restaurant for dinner.

Dinner will be pre-chosen sandwiches, similar to the lunch menu, eaten within a downtown restaurant. Students, teachers and chaperones will have one hour to eat. The tour guide will remain with you until 6:00 p.m., at which point teachers will be on their own until reaching the Grant-Humphreys Mansion. Detailed directions, bus fares and schedules will be provided by the tour guide prior to his/her departure.

Once you and your students have reached the Grant-Humphreys Mansion, you will be met by a representative of the Colorado Historical Society. This person will allow you entrance to the building and assist with the activities of the evening. During this time your students may work on their assignments, relax, or participate in the activities provided by Denver Discovery Camp, such as a Denver related movie like ‘the Unsinkable Molly Brown,’ Denver History Jeopardy, or watching a presentation on elements of Denver History like the Sand Creek Massacre. This representative of the Colorado Historical Society will remain with you in the building overnight, to handle any situations or questions that might arise.

Please note that wandering through the Grant-Humphreys Mansion is not allowed; students, teachers and chaperones will be required to remain within designated areas of the building.

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Kevin@denverhistorytours.com