Exterior of the Egyptian Theatre in Delta, Colorado

Walk Like an Egyptian in Colorado

The premise of Hotter Than Egypt is of two Americans on a vacation/business trip to Cairo and how their relationship is tested as they are exposed to this new environment.

If this story makes you curious to learn more about Egypt while staying here in Colorado, start exploring in your own backyard.

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE

A couple views an Egyptian mummy encased in glass at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Photos at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Denver, Colo., on Monday, October 19, 2009. (Chris Schneider/Chris Schneider Photography)

A permanent exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is the Egyptian Mummies. The exhibit is of two female mummies, which were purchased by a tourist in Egypt in 1906 and have been on permanent loan from the Rosemount Museum in Pueblo for decades.

A visit to see these mummies is a chance to learn more about their background, what they were buried with—such as jewels, approximately when they died and became mummies, and more fascinating details.

DENVER ART MUSEUM

The mummy case on display at the Denver Art Museum

Photo courtesy of the Denver Art Museum

There is more than art at the Denver Art Museum—there are windows to other cultures, the artwork of places and people from all over the world. Egypt is represented among the many countries from which art has been collected and is on display here.

Look for the Mummy Case from 332-302 B.C., which does not actually have a mummy inside, but is notable for the intricate hieroglyphs that decorate the case. In addition, the case has the image of a person, more specifically a man, with a false beard, outlined eyes, and other features.

You can also find a painting, “Egyptian Landscape with a View of the Pyramids” by the artist David Roberts from approximately the 1830s. This oil painting is not a true representation of the place, but the artist’s interpretation from memory of highlights of what he saw on a visit to Egypt. 

BEYOND THE MUSEUMS

Here and there, you can find other places and experiences to learn more about Egypt, a country that is known for its rich history and art.

Exterior of the Egyptian Theatre in Delta, Colorado

Egyptian Theatre

The winner for least likely places to learn about Egypt has to be Delta, a small town on the Western Slope of Colorado, about a 4-hour drive from Denver. Here you will find the Egyptian Theater, a 425-seat space designed by architect Montana Fallis in 1928. The design is credited to the discovery of King Tut in 1922, which inspired many creatives to embrace the Egyptian Revival style. Back in the 1930s, there were dozens of these types of theaters and today only six remain. Head there in February for the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Another unusual option is found at Fairmount Cemetery, where a few mausoleums for the former wealthy class of the Mile High City chose subtle Egyptian Revival style for their final resting place. To be sure, these are not the ornately decorated mummy cases of Egypt, but plain grey buildings with a mix of architectural details. Look for the Moritz Barth (M. Barth) and family mausoleum that features the Egyptian symbol of the phoenix.

For those seeking more insights about the art and archaeology of Egypt, check to see if there are currently any classes available at a local college campus.