| Interpreting cultural conflict at History Colorado's communities exhibit, Colorado Stories, created a three-way dialogue between scholars, museum audiences, and community stakeholders. Four communities, Amache, Sand Creek, Lincoln Hills, and the Latino borderlands of southern Colorado required particular care. The interpretation for each of these communities was inherently political, requiring careful contextual study, audience research and occasionally bruising negotiations with stakeholders. The formulation of the Colorado Stories exhibit reveals the intersection of history, memory, representation, and the creation of historical narratives for lay audiences. At the same time, they remind historians of the importance of blending scholarship with a willingness to transcend the confines of their craft to in order to translate complex content and deliver satisfactory emotional and intellectual interpretation. |
