Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

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Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library is part of the Denver Public Library. Webb and First Lady Wilma J. Webb had a shared vision.

The Denver Public Library Commission named the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Former Mayor Wellington Webb and First Lady Wilma Webb proposed the name, which combines the last names of Omar Blair, the first black president of the Denver school board, and Elvin Caldwell, the first black City Council member. Background: A Missing Piece of History
Denver Former Mayor Wellington E. They envisioned a research library and museum to preserve and showcase the many contributions of African Americans to Colorado and the West. Much of that history was in private hands — those of political leaders, community organizations, churches and individuals. Other history was unwritten, still in the heads and hearts of those who had lived it. In 1999, during his third term as Mayor of Denver, Mayor and Mrs. Webb saw the urgent need to collect this legacy in one place before it was lost forever. They proposed construction of an African American Research Library as part of the Denver Public Library system. “There’s so much history, and we need to capture that for young people,” he said. “So much of it is in boxes, in basements, or in our heads.” And so the journey of gathering that history began. By 2000, the Denver Public Library had engaged consultants and a community advisory committee to help plan the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Public meetings were held with neighborhoods that would use the facility, and Library staff began to collect personal and professional papers, publications, photographs, works of art and other memorabilia of distinguished African Americans from all walks of life. Finally, groundbreaking for the new library took place in early 2002. The Library continues to thrive as a neighborhood branch, a research library and museum. Plan your visit to the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library today.

Join us this week to learn about preserving digital materials, and don't forget to dress up for our Halloween Storytime!
10/25/2026

Join us this week to learn about preserving digital materials, and don't forget to dress up for our Halloween Storytime!

Join us for a special conversation with digital archivist Katie Rudolph to learn tips and receive personalized advice fo...
10/24/2026

Join us for a special conversation with digital archivist Katie Rudolph to learn tips and receive personalized advice for safeguarding your treasured family digital materials, like scanned photos and documents, ensuring your family's stories remain vibrant for generations to come.

10/23/2026

We'd like to announce that the museum will be closed from 1pm-5pm tomorrow, Saturday the 24th, for the Praze House Event. We'd love to see you at the event or in the library though!

Denver has a history with the Klan. It also has a history of resistance. How did the Klan gain power in Denver, and who ...
10/20/2026

Denver has a history with the Klan. It also has a history of resistance. How did the Klan gain power in Denver, and who fought back? Join us for a panel discussion examining the Klan's legacy in Denver, the communities who resisted its influence, and the ways this history continues to shape our understanding of the city today.

Join us for PRAZE HOUSE, a traveling art and music project exploring the lineage of Black sound and gathering in Five Po...
10/20/2026

Join us for PRAZE HOUSE, a traveling art and music project exploring the lineage of Black sound and gathering in Five Points! The project traces a line from the praise houses of early Black American communities, through jazz and the historic sounds of Five Points, and into house, techno, and contemporary Black electronic music.

Please note that the museum will be closed that Saturday afternoon for this the event. See you there!

10/18/2026
Join us for a theatrical presentation exploring three mysterious stories from the hidden history of Black people in Colo...
10/17/2026

Join us for a theatrical presentation exploring three mysterious stories from the hidden history of Black people in Colorado and the American West, performed by playwright Jeff Campbell as the traveling storyteller and poet Jedidiah Blackstone!

Teens' Read is a space for exploring awesome stories, epic adventures, and cool activities in community with peers. New ...
10/16/2026

Teens' Read is a space for exploring awesome stories, epic adventures, and cool activities in community with peers. New members are always welcome! We'll hand out next month's book: The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. Read it in advance or just join us to hang out. Get ready for fun and bookish excitement!

The library will be closed tomorrow, October 12th, for Indigenous Peoples' Day! We hope you have a wonderful holiday, an...
10/11/2026

The library will be closed tomorrow, October 12th, for Indigenous Peoples' Day! We hope you have a wonderful holiday, and we'll see you on Tuesday.

We'd love to have you at Storytime this week!
10/11/2026

We'd love to have you at Storytime this week!

Address

2401 Welton Street
Denver, CO
80205

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(720) 865-2401

Website

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