Dear Editor,

The Belvidere Foundation invites residents, history enthusiasts, and students to a special presentation by archaeologist and historian Dr. Jade Luiz. The lecture, “The Palaces on the Hill: Archaeology of the 19th and Early-20th Century Central City Brothel District,” will be held Thursday, September 10, at 7 p.m. upstairs at Monte Lobo in Central City.

Dr. Luiz has been digging up dirt in more ways than one.

Beginning in 2023, Central City’s historic brothel district became the site of an archaeological field school conducted by Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Students are uncovering clues about the people who lived and worked in the district and using archaeology to illuminate their everyday experiences on Pine Street.

Dr. Luiz is an assistant professor of anthropology at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Her research explores historical archaeology, nineteenth-century urban life, gender and the experiences of women in the Old West. Her work brings buried stories to light and gives voice to people often left out of traditional histories.

The presentation is part of the Belvidere Foundation’s history lecture series. A $10 donation is requested to support the Belvidere project. Students are warmly welcomed, and no donation is expected from students.

Look for upcoming lectures in the series. On September 24, Bob Young will speak about the history and restoration of the Frontenac Mine. On October 10, Civil War enthusiasts will enjoy a little-known aspect of the aftermath in Laura Jarnigan Pang’s presentation, “Confederate Migration to Brazil: who, what, when, where, why and how?” On October 17, John Kitterage will return to talk about women miners - it wasn’t just the men who wanted to strike it rich!

Betty S. Mahaffey

The Belvidere Foundation

Central City