Step Back in Time and discover the unique heritage in historical Silverton, Colorado. On June 7, 8, 9, 10 Silverton will transport you to the heyday of the mining boom of the early 1900's. This year's celebration is extra special, celebrating Town's 125th Anniversary (1876-2001). Silverton is the perfect setting for this historical celebration of a time gone by. Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, at an elevation of 9,318-feet, with its charming Victorian architecture; reminiscent of the glory days when the mines were booming and the ladies drew social lines down the center of town.

Come and stroll through Silverton's rich and unique history: Learn authentic social dances of the era, visit the Mayflower Gold Mill, travel underground on a mine tour, horseback ride through town, enjoy an afternoon ice-cream social, witness a train robbery, explore a deserted ghost town, join in the fun of an authentically historic costume ball, ride the last of the coal fired steam trains down the canyon, listen to the lore and history of the San Juans, tour the Hillside Cemetery, gaze at the magnificent dress of the times... Discover the unique heritage Silverton has to offer...

The Society Ball and Vintage Dance Workshops will be led by renowned dance master Richard Powers, a dance instructor and historian at Stanford University and the world's leading authority on these nostalgic dances. He has founded numerous vintage dance organizations. Choreographed and directed dances for the stage, screen and television. Powers has performed historical dances at the Smithsonian Institution, Henry Ford Museum, and leading the Palace Hotel's Valentines Ball, St. Moritz, Switzerland (featured on CBS "60 Minutes"), just to name a few. This is truly a special addition to this amazing weekend.

Silverton is unique in many ways?There are only 2,296 National Historic Landmarks in the country and only 17 of them are located in the state of Colorado. Silverton has three designated National Historic Landmarks with in the valley; the Town, Mayflower Mill, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The town was also just recognized as one of the gems in the "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" by the by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Step back in time is presented by the Town of Silverton, Durango International Folkdances, Durango & Silverton Narrow gauge Railroad, San Juan Backcounty, San Juan Historical Society, Silverton Public School, Victorian Aid Society, Historic Bed & Breakfasts of Silverton, San Juan Women's Club, Grand Imperial Hotel, and A Theatre Group

Step Back in Time Historical Celebration
Silverton, Colorado
Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 7
7:30 Theatre Production: Come Back to the 5 & Dime- Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean - Miners Union Theatre
8:30 Liar's Night at the Miners Tavern
Friday, June 8
10:00 Hillside Cemetery Tour
12:30 Book Signing - Coffee Mine - Freda Carley Peterson, author of The Story of Hillside Cemetery

1:00 "Polka Mania" Slide Show & Dance Lecture, presented by Richard Powers - Town Hall
1:45 San Juan County's Museum Tour
2:00 Tea Time - Front Porch Flowers?English Tea and Historical Lecture
2:30 Beginning Vintage Dance Workshop - Kendall Mountain Community Center
3:30 Chuckwagon Dinner Train - Cascade Station - D&SNGRR
7:30 Theatre Production: Come Back to the 5 & Dime- Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean - Miners Union Theatre
7:30 Old Time Contra Dance with instruction - Silverton School Gym
Saturday, June 9
7:30 Breakfast Horseback Rides - Stables on Blair Street - San Juan Backcountry
Train Robbery at the Cascade Station, only viewed from riding the train from Durango
9:00 Advanced Vintage Dance Workshop - Silverton School Gym
9:00 Beginning Vintage Dance Workshop - Silverton School Music Room
10:00 Old Time Market & Town Fair - Memorial Park
12:00 Victorian Fashion Show - Kendall Mountain Community Center - Victorian Aid Society
12:00 Luncheon at the Fashion Show - Front Porch Flowers
1:00 Victorian Hat Contest - Kendall Mountain Community Center - San Juan Historical Society
2:00 Ice Cream Social - Memorial Park - San Juan Women's Club
2:00 Book Signing - Coffee Mine - Duane Smith, Song of the Hammer & Drill

2:15 Vintage Dance Workshop - Intermediate Level - Silverton School Gym
5:30 Peregrination Dinner all around town
8:00 Society Ball - Town Hall
8:00 Saloon Dance at the Grand Imperial Hotel
tba Old Time Photos at the Saloon Dance
4:00 Theatre Production: Come Back to the 5 & Dime- Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean - Miners Union Theatre
Sunday, June 10
7:30 Breakfast Horseback Rides & Cowboy Service - Stables on Blair Street - San Juan Backcountry
9:15 "Polka Mania" Slide Show & Dance Lecture, presented by Richard Powers - Town Hall
10:00 Hillside Cemetery Tour
10:30 Vintage Dance Workshop - Polka Variations - Kendall Mountain Community Center
12:30 High Noon Parade
1:00 100th Celebration of the Dallavalle Building - Gerald & Nancy Swanson
2:00 Lifetime Preservation Award - Allan Nossaman
2:00 Tea Time - Front Porch Flowers?English Tea and Historical Lecture
2:30 Croquet Tournament on the Court House Lawn.
3:00 Historical Town Hall Restoration Tour
7:30 Theatre Production: Come Back to the 5 & Dime- Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean - Miners Union Theatre
PLUS?meeting of the trains in turn of the century costumes, tour of the Mayflower Mill, Old Hundred Mine, Hardrockers Exhibition, Mountain Men Rendezvous, Silverton Brass Band, Saloon Girls, Gun Fight Re-enactments, Horseback Rides through town, jeep tours to deserted Ghost Towns, & much more.

For more info, email: silverton@frontier.net