Silver City -- The Silver City Museum's spring community conversation series explores the many aspects of community building, including the changing place and nature of “the public square,” the influence of media on community awareness, and the scope and range of various community organizations and associations and how they contribute to the energy and complexity of the larger community.

Saturday, Cathleen Norman, programs coordinator for the Silver City Museum, presents "Plaza Publica - Gathering Places in Silver City." Norman will be joined by guest panelists Jose Ray, Silver City native and town councilor, who will share his lifelong experience with Gough Park, how it was developed and the various events held there over the years, and Sharla Lefkowitz-Oberg, executive director of Silver City Mainstreet, who will discuss the public spaces that host Mainstreet events. 

Norman will explore the many places where people got together in early Silver City, from pioneers’ parlors and smoky taverns, to ballrooms and opera houses - even a cantina on Chihuahua Hill. The discussion will consider where people gathered during the town’s early years, and how this has evolved in the twentieth century. Many critical issues and needs energized early residents, but gatherings took place purely for pleasure, too.  

"We then take a look at how the public square has changed through the years," said Norman."We will consider such questions as, where do people meet today in Silver City? How has that changed from earlier times, and why? How do these changes affect the community? What are new forums and trends?" 

Community conversations are co-sponsored by WILL, the Western Institute of Lifelong Learning, and held from 11 am to 12:30 pm each third Saturday of the month, beginning in March, at the historic Silco Theater, 311 North Bullard Street. Each conversation begins with a guest speaker, followed by a panel discussion and dialogue with the audience. For more information, please contact Cathleen Norman, programs coordinator, at (720) 394-8626 or education@silvercitymuseum.org.