Looking Back for a Vision Forward: History and Nostalgia

Looking Back for a Vision Forward, A Friends of Broomfield History Series, 2022

Through a generous Arts, Culture, and Science grant from the City and County of Broomfield, the Friends of Broomfield History will be sponsoring a series of five community conversations entitled, “Looking Back for a Vision Forward” about several things that impacted Broomfield’s history. The conversations will explore specific aspects of that history from different perspectives and will include facilitated discussions about where we might go from here. Sometimes that history might make us feel good, sometimes it might make us angry or sad, or embarrassed. Regardless of the emotions we might feel, we hope that history can provide insights we might not have had otherwise about ways to move forward.

“History and Nostalgia,” Feb. 3, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m., via Zoom 

This is the first of five facilitated “conversations” about the past and future of our city. In this meeting we’ll consider the important differences between history and nostalgia, as well as the ways in which history can be changed or enhanced when viewed through different lenses.

“Think of an event in your life that is now considered ‘history’. It could be 9/11 or the reunification of Germany. What are your memories of that event and how does it shape how you view the ‘facts’ of the event today? Write a poem or a few paragraphs contrasting your memory of the event with what you know ‘actually’ happened.” 

Register in advance for this meeting: Registration link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Event Outline

1. Welcome and introductions [Dave Allison];  6:30-6:45pm
2. Video intro; 6:45pm-6:55pm
3. Case Study, the Confederate Lost Cause Narrative; 6:55-7:10pm
4. Benefits and uses of Nostalgia vs. When to use History— Discussion [Dave Allison];  7:10-7:30pm
5. Creative writing prompt; 7:30-7:45pm “Think of an event in your life that is now considered ‘history’. It could be 9/11 or the reunification of Germany. What are your memories of that event and how does it shape how you view the ‘facts’ of the event today? Write a poem or a few paragraphs contrasting your memory of the event with what you know ‘actually’ happened.”
6. Share out and Final Thoughts; 7:45-8pm

Upcoming dates:

“Transportation” Apr. 7, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m., hybrid session (Depot and Zoom) 

“Land Use” Jun. 2, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m., hybrid session (Depot and Zoom)

“Water” Aug. 4, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m., hybrid session (Depot and Zoom)

“Public Health” Oct. 6, 2022, 6:30-8 p.m., hybrid session (Depot and Zoom)