Antiquities Act Celebration

Canon City – To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Antiquities Act, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Dinosaur Depot Museum and the Canon City Community Heritage Group are sponsoring several activities in the Canon City area on Saturday, September 30.  The days events are free and the public is encouraged to attend. 

The Antiquities Act, a law that protects and preserves archaeological and historic properties, was passed by Congress in 1906.  Fremont County has a wealth of these resources, particularly dinosaur fossils in the Garden Park Fossil Area and other locations around the County. 

The Event: A series of historically significant stops in the Canon City area.
Volunteers will be present at a series of free stops around Canon City on Saturday, September 30, 2006 for the public to enjoy.

The focus of this celebration will be a series of activities to honor Marshal P. Felch and the dinosaur fossils he uncovered in the 1880’s. One of the special features of the day is that after a long search, direct decedents of Marshall and Amanda Felch will return to Canon City to help us celebrate! Come and learn something about the people that have preserved this outstanding story!

8:45 AM to 1:30 PM  Marsh-Felch Dinosaur Quarry (free)
Head north on Field Ave./Red Canyon Road where volunteers from the Bureau of Land Management will be on hand to discuss the history of the Marsh-Felch Dinosaur Quarry.  This will be on the left about ¼ mile past the Cleveland Dinosaur Quarry overlook where the restrooms are located.  BLM volunteers will have maps of the quarry and will explain the history of the site and tell about Felch’s role!

Two special walks will be scheduled during the day to the Quarry.  These special quarry tours will be conducted at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

10:00AM to 4:00 PM Skyline Drive – Dinosaur Trackway (free)
Drive west on Highway 50 and turn right on Skyline Drive.  Head up to the overlook at the top of the ridge where volunteers will be on hand to discuss the dinosaur tracks on Skyline Drive.

George Podsobinski will be on hand from 1:00 p.m.  to 3:00 p.m.  to discuss the geology of the Canon City Basin that can be seen from the overlook.

10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.: Dinosaur Depot  Museum(free)
The Dinosaur Depot Museum is one of the best places in the world to see fossils and the rocks where they are found.  Among dinosaurs on display is the world's most complete Stegosaurus!

There will be two special events going on all day at the Dinosaur Depot.

First, the interactive digital Marsh – Felch Dinosaur Quarry Map will be put on display for the first time!   This interactive map has taken over 10 years to complete and it represents one of the world’s most important paleontology excavations.

Secondly the Dinosaur Depot will have local rock and fossil experts including George Podsobinski (retired Canon City teacher) and Dr. Charlie Fair (retired geologist) on hand to help identify your rocks and fossils.  Bring them in and try to stump our experts! 

This will also be a great chance for to get acquainted with the new resident paleontologist and Dinosaur Depot Curator, Lorin King who will also be one of our fossil identification experts for the day!

10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.:  Greenwood Cemetery (free)
Go south on South First Street to the top of the hill and the Greenwood Cemetery is on the right.  Park near the entry way and walk into the cemetery where a knowledgeable guide will be available to tell you about the very interesting history behind this cemetery.  Both Marshall Felch and his wife Amanda served in the civil war and you will learn about their military service. 

At 2:00 a special tribute will be held in honor of Marshall C. Felch, one of the person’s of significance buried here as well as honoring the union and confederate civil war veterans that are also buried there.  Recently “rediscovered” descendents of Marshall Felch will be coming from Salt Lake City to be here for the event!   This is a “don’t miss” event!

Historically, the cemetery contains the final resting-places of persons of significance to not only the residents of Cañon City, but also the state of Colorado. Genealogically, it is relevant to persons around the world.                           

10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.: Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center (free)
"The Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center has artifacts and materials pertinent to the Marsh-Felch Dinosaur Quarry and Garden Park. Additionally, the museum has on display dinosaur materials that Dall DeWeese excavated in the early 1900s.

"In commemoration of the Antiquities Act centennial, there will be a special display of historic documents and photographs specific to the Garden Park Dinosaur Area exhibited in the History Center.

3:30 to 4:30p.m.:     Music from the lifespan of Marshall Felch – 1834-1902    
Tom Munch  will perform music from the time period of 1834 to 1902.   You will learn a bit about Marshall Felch and his family and get to hear some of the music that was popular at key moments in his life. Contact the Dinosaur Depot Museum for more information.

10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.:  Museum of Colorado Prisons (free for Fremont County Residents)
A visit to the Royal Gorge Region isn't complete without stopping and "doing" time” in this historical cell house that was the original Women's Correctional Facility constructed in 1935. 

The museum will focus on the 1880-1890 time periods when Marshall Felch was actively digging for dinosaurs in Canon City.

For More information about the days events, the public can contact the Dinosaur Depot Museum at (719) 269-7150.

-BLM-