Lectures, time-capsules, puzzles, banners, and birthday party to mark Niwot's Sesquicentennial

As Niwot's Sesquicentennial approaches on March 30, 2025, the ad hoc committee charged with coordinating a year-long celebration is hard at work on everything from lectures, to birthday parties, to puzzles, to time capsules.

The committee, first suggested by the Niwot Local Improvement District Advisory Committee and Kathy Koehler of the Niwot Historical Society, is comprised of members representing Niwot's many non-profit organizations, including the Niwot Business Association, the Niwot Community Association, the Niwot Historical Society, the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, and the Niwot Community Connection.

Chaired by Laura Skaggs, the committee meets monthly to plan and coordinate activities and events, urging each organization in Niwot to find ways to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the recording of the town plat of Niwot with Boulder County.

The banner created by Angie Miltersen of Few of a Kind Vintage and Mercantile, is already being used in advertisements and promotions as a reminder of the town's 150-year celebration. Historic images of Niwot will soon be found on light poles around Niwot's business district, thanks to the Niwot Historical Society.

Other upcoming celebratory events include:

• Now & Then Lecture on "Fort Chambers: A Call for Boulder to Reckon with our History and Build Right Relationships with Indigenous Peoples Today" on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Niwot Hall, sponsored by the Niwot Historical Society.

• Native American Art Show featuring emerging artists on Sunday, March 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Niwot Hall, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association.

• Building Arapaho, Cheyenne and Niwot Relationships on Monday, March 17, at 6 p.m. at Niwot Hall, a presentation by Fred Mosqueda of the Southern Arapaho tribe and Chester Whiteman of the Cheyenne tribe, sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association.

• An open house on Sunday, March 30, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Niwot Hall, to celebrate Niwot's 150th birthday since the plat of Niwot was recorded March 30, 1875.

Local artist Lisa Rivard has been hard at work creating an image that could be used to create a Liberty Puzzle, featuring Niwot. Liberty Puzzles is a Boulder company that creates high quality wooden jigsaw puzzles with some pieces in the shapes of images included in the puzzle.

The March 30 open house will feature music and commentary by Niwot's own world-class banjo musician, Pete Wernick, who will perform with his wife Joan Wernick on guitar and Justin Hoffenberg on fiddle.

Local musician Kevin Dooley, who created "Be More Like Bert," is also expected to make an appearance. The open house will also feature a slide show of historic Niwot images paired with modern depictions of familiar buildings.

A time capsule will also make its debut at the March 30 open house, with community members invited to contribute letters, artifacts and other mementos to be placed in a coffin, and opened in 25 years, when Niwot celebrates its 175-year anniversary.

Watch for more details on these and other events celebrating Niwot's first 150 years.