In the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world premiere play, The Suffragette’s Murder by Sandy Rustin, it’s 1857, and a group of tenants is secretly working to support the bourgeoning suffrage movement.

While the play is set in Manhattan, New Yorkers in the 1800s would have found plenty of kindred spirits in Colorado working to advance women’s rights. In fact, Colorado was the second state to grant women’s suffrage nearly 30 years before the 19^th Amendment was ratified.

Many early and contemporary pioneers are celebrated in a variety of area museums. Enhance your experience at The Suffragette’s Murder when you visit these organizations.

Center for Colorado Women’s History

CENTER FOR COLORADO WOMEN’S HISTORY

1310 Bannock St., Denver
Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm
Admission: Adult (19+) $7, Senior (60+) $5, Children (18 and under) free

Previously known as the Byers-Evans House, this historic residence is now part of the History Colorado system. Forty-five-minute guided tours take visitors through the 1883 house and gardens while learning about women’s impact on Colorado history and beyond. The Center focuses on the past, present, and future achievements of Colorado women and conducts research, provides lectures, and offers public programs to elevate the importance of Colorado’s women.

Currently, the Center features its special “Rumors of Bloomers” exhibit through March 30, which illustrates the ways undergarments have influenced women throughout history.

Colorado Women’s Art Center & Museum

COLORADO WOMEN’S ART CENTER & MUSEUM

1528 Teller St., Denver
Visitation by Appointment

The Colorado Women’s Art Center & Museum seeks to elevate the work of Colorado’s women artists, encourages programs that promote and motivate these artists, and exhibits their artwork throughout the state at such institutions as the Kirkland Museum, Clifford Still Museum, History Colorado, Center for Colorado Women’s History, the Museum of Contemporary Arts, and more.

Next up is the “Other Worlds — The Fiber of Her Being” exhibit at D’art East Gallery at 900 Santa Fe Dr. in Denver opening March 15.

Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

COLORADO SPRINGS PIONEERS MUSEUM

215 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm
Free

Located in the historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum was founded as a collecting institution. Today, it is dedicated to the preservation of the area’s cultural history.

Among its exhibits, is “50% of the Story: Women Expressing Creativity,” which showcases both historic and contemporary art works by women. Unfortunately, only 8% of the works on display in all museums represents contributions by women. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum’s “50% of the Story” exhibit allows the organization to provide a more balanced representation of the contributions of female artists in the Pikes Peak Region.

Molly Brown House & Museum

MOLLY BROWN HOUSE & MUSEUM

1340 Pennsylvania St., Denver
Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; Thursdays open until 7pm
Self-Guided Tours $11-17; Guided Tours $16-22

Managed by Historic Denver, Inc., the Molly Brown House & Museum tells the story of the rags-to-riches activist, philanthropist, and suffragette, Margaret “Molly” Brown, who survived the Titanic. She not only worked for more than 30 years to help women get the right to vote, but she also ran for Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat in 1914 and organized the International Women’s Rights Conference. Her advocacy on behalf of women and children helped with passage of the 19^th Amendment, established literacy programs, and improved workers’ rights.

The Museum offers a number of special opportunities including “1340 Penn After Hours: State of Undress Undergarment Showcase,” “Behind the Scenes: Trust about Brown Family Gold,” and a number of themed teas such as “Vintage Valentine,” “Titanic Tea,” and “Victorian Garden Tea.”

Museum for Black Girls

MUSEUM FOR BLACK GIRLS

Denver Pavilions, 500 16th Street Mall, 2^nd Floor
Sun, Wed-Thr 12-5pm; Fri 12-6pm; Sat 12-7pm
Tickets start at $15

Founded in 2019 in Houston, Texas, The Museum for Black Girls recently opened a second location on the 16^th Street Mall. This museum celebrates the essence of Black women and their experiences. These immersive exhibits range from a tribute to Beyoncé to a golden salon chair, a floral room, and more.

Its mission is for every guest to leave the museum with motivation and inspiration to create their beautiful stories and history.