"Having grown up here, I’ve heard all sorts of fun stories about the area, some truer than others, but all excellent parts of the patchwork quilts of the Lore of the area. Every telling and re-telling adds its own texture, and I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that holds so many unique voices."”

Emma Berg

CENTRAL CITY - At this year’s Cemetery Crawl at the Catholic Cemetery, Emma Berg stepped into the role of Ellen Flynn, telling Flynn’s story with a precision that comes from hours of research and practice. 

The audience, huddled near a weed-surrounded gravestone, was clearly captivated by her performance. Her talent as a storyteller was evident, as well as her passion for history.

Berg was born in nearby Wheat Ridge, raised in Gilpin County, and has spent all of her 35 years here in the mountains. 

Though she is naturally introverted, she has built a reputation as one of the Gilpin Historical Society’s most talented actors, becoming known for her ability to bring long-dead characters back to life.

She is exceptionally skilled at adopting accents and memorizing the detailed accounts of the people she portrays, giving audiences a sense that history itself is speaking.

She writes, "Having grown up here, I’ve heard all sorts of fun stories about the area, some truer than others, but all excellent parts of the patchwork quilts of the Lore of the area. Every telling and re-telling adds its own texture, and I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that holds so many unique voices."

For the past ten years, Berg has worked with the Gilpin Historical Society, greeting visitors at the tours office and mini museum inside Washington Hall at 117 Eureka Street. 

While pursuing a bachelor's degree, she dealt cards in the casinos, tutored, and curated the historical section “Turning Back the Pages” for the Weekly Register-Call, all to pay for her own education.

Berg earned her degree in linguistics and continues to use that training in her work. She tutors and translates online for English-as-a-Second-Language learners, a career she finds deeply rewarding.

Writing has been a steady thread throughout her life, so it is no wonder she has had a book published. Her debut novel, Dreamcatch, is a young adult fantasy about a group of people who go around “catching” bad dreams. 

Her hobbies range widely, from knitting, gaming, and jewelry-making to archery and fencing (perhaps one day we will see her use the latter during a historical reenactment). 

Berg jokes that she could be a hermit if given the chance, and most of her interests lean toward quiet, solitary pursuits, like curling up next to a fireplace with a good book.

Though she has traveled extensively, Berg has never considered leaving Gilpin County for long. She enjoys the deep winters, the quiet of mountain nights, and the familiar rhythm of life at altitude. 

Berg ensures that Gilpin’s stories continue to be heard, and now, her own life story joins those that come before her, recorded in the annals of newspaper history.

Catch Berg at Gilpin Historical Society's next event, the 16th Annual Creepy Crawl, which will take place on October 17, 18, 24, and 25, 2025. Tickets will be available in early to mid-September.