Linda Relyea
ASU PR
Over a month ago, Adams State University celebrated with campus and community the transition from college to university.
The university’s rich and diverse history includes five name changes, the local community banding together to raise money to open the school, and thousands of graduates who continue to enrich their futures with degrees from Adams State.
The Luther Bean Museum assembled a display reflecting the history of Adams State for the Great Stories Celebration. This display continues through October. Enhanced by loans from Nielsen Library Archives and other departments on campus, the museum presents photographs of student activities through the decades and the growth of Richardson Hall. Rarely seen examples of the original plans for the building and museum are included.
A friendship quilt, by Ruth (Curtis) Gilbert ’35, with signatures by Ira Richardson, Beryl McAdow, and Luther Bean; a photo collage of the first graduating class and faculty; and objects representing past commencement programs are highlights in the Adams State history display.
The Luther Bean Museum encourages school groups and the local community to visit the museum. Along with the temporary display, the museum’s permanent collections represent largely regional and local arts and historical objects. On view are: Native American pottery including pots by Maria “Marie” and Julian Martinez and from the Acoma and Santo Domingo Pueblos; Rio Grande weavings, including a work by Eppie Archuleta; paintings and works on paper by Stephen Quiller, Woody Crumbo and William Moyers; bronzes by William Moyers (1939 ASU Alumnus); and a bronze by Allan Houser. The museum recently added a display on Major Lafayette Head, Colorado’s first lieutenant governor, U.S. Indian agent, and early settler of Conejos County.
A display of items featuring former Colorado Governor and Adams State University’s founder William H. “Billy” Adams is also on view.
The museum is open to the public 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call 587-7151 for information.
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