After nearly a year of research, training, and preparation, the Silver City Museum's Living History Project will officially make its public debut during this year's Fourth of July Ice Cream Social.
Visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time as three historical figures from Grant County stroll the museum grounds in authentic period dress, ready to share stories from another era. Rather than simply reading about local history on exhibit panels, guests will be able to meet the people who helped shape it.
Making their debut are **Theora Ailman**, portrayed by Phyllis McQuaide; **Madame Millie**, portrayed by Barb Totherow; and **Ben Lilly**, portrayed by Charlie Vana.
Over the past year, each performer has immersed themselves in the life of the person they portray, researching historical records, photographs, newspapers, and personal accounts to better understand not only the facts of their lives but also how they viewed the world around them.
When visitors meet these characters, they won't be hearing a memorized lecture. Instead, they'll be invited into a conversation.
What was Silver City like during their lifetime? What challenges did they face? What hopes did they have for the community? How did they see the future? Each character will answer these questions from the perspective of the era in which they lived, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience history through the eyes of someone who lived it.
Living history creates a different kind of learning. It transforms names in history books into real people with personalities, dreams, struggles, and opinions. Whether speaking with the civic-minded Theora Ailman, the colorful Madame Millie, or the legendary outdoorsman Ben Lilly, visitors will discover that history is far more engaging when it talks back.
The Living History Project represents a collaboration between the Silver City Museum and Silver City Theatre, with the shared goal of making Grant County's rich history accessible, memorable, and entertaining for residents and visitors alike.
The Fourth of July appearance marks only the beginning. Additional historical characters are expected to join the project in the months ahead, bringing even more of Grant County's remarkable past to life at community events and museum programs.
The Silver City Museum invites everyone to attend the Fourth of July Ice Cream Social, enjoy a scoop of ice cream, celebrate Independence Day, and spend a few minutes visiting with the people who helped build our community—if only for an afternoon.
History isn't just something that happened here.
On July 4, it will be waiting to meet you.
