TELLURIDE MUSEUM: FIRESIDE CHAT AT THE PEAKS

21 Aug TELLURIDE MUSEUM: FIRESIDE CHAT AT THE PEAKS

Marsha Bankston as Lizzy Knight

It’s not often a woman ends up married to her son-in-law. But Lizzy Knight, the first pioneer woman of the Disappointment Valley, was no stranger to the strange.

Wednesday and Thursday, August 22 and August 23, the Telluride Historical Museum offers a first-person characterization of Lizzy Knight, performed by Marsha Bankston, a sixth-generation descendant of pioneer cattle ranchers Lizzy and Henry Knight.

Bankston, the fourth great granddaughter of the infamous pioneering couple, occupies the original Knight homestead, which is just southwest of Telluride on the west side of Lone Cone Peak, designated a Centennial Farm by the State of Colorado.

The original Knight cabin still stands and was recently added to Colorado Preservation Inc.’s list of Colorado’s “Most Endangered” historical sites. Bankston has been working towards restoring the building for public visitation. In May, the museum led a field trip to the property.

Bankston is continuing her mother’s work of writing and presenting the personal stories of pioneers, such as Lizzy Knight. Her mother, Wilma Crisp Bankston, authored “Where Eagles Winter: History and Legend of the Disappointment Country.”

FIRESIDE CHAT: Lizzy Knight, Pioneer Rancher of Disappointment Valley

Wednesday at the Livery in Norwood. 5:30p.m. Free!
Thursday, at the Peaks Resort and Spa in Mountain Village, Telluride, 5:30p.m. Free!

Additional events hosted by the Telluride Historical Museum:

Wednesdays in August: Join George Greenbank for an Architecture Tour. Meet at the Museum, 10 a.m. A new section of town is covered on each tour. $15.

Fridays in August: Join the Telluride Historical Museum and Ashley Boling for a Historic Walking Tour of Town. Meet at the Museum, 1 p.m. $15.

Friday, August 24 – Sunday, August 26: The Telluride Historical Museum presents a 4×4 Field Trip: Leadville to Aspen, “In Search of Colorado’s Silver Heritage.” The trip is guided by local historian Rudy Davison. $65 per person, lodging and food not included. Limited space. RSVP today or learn more here.