Photo of an old church next to a new building

Current Exhibition

Building Denver: Visions of the Capital City

Building Denver: Visions of the Capital City shares the many visions for and stories of the growth, urban development, and architecture of Denver from 1860 to today.

Building Denver explores how civic leaders, designers, and residents have steadily worked to bring their own visions of Denver to life by engaging the city’s natural landscape, navigating the movement of people across the city, and responding to a boom & bust economy. Through each vision, the exhibition examines how design affects everyday life.


This 20-minute exhibition video was created by Denver7+.

This exhibit is part of Building Denver, a sweeping retrospective, present-day examination and a bold look ahead at how our city has been designed and the consequences that have emerged in our physical, social, and emotional spaces. Learn more about the Building Denver Initiative 

Imagine a Great City” poster, 1983. Part of Building Denver exhibit at History Colorado Center
Children play in Cheesman Park, 1910
Civic Center from Capitol Dome
Denver State Capitol construction
Robert S. Roeschlaub, Corona School, Denver, front or west elevation, 1889.