Dr. William Wei Named as History Colorado鈥檚 State Historian听
Recognized for his work in Asian-American history and for his perspective听
on diversity, human rights and community connection
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DENVER (July 25, 2019) 鈥� On Colorado Day, Aug. 1, Dr. William Wei, Ph.D., professor of history at the University of Colorado in Boulder, will begin his one-year position as the official State Historian and leader of History Colorado鈥檚 State Historian鈥檚 Council, succeeding noted historian and author Dr. Tom Noel. The five-person council rotates this leadership role every year on Colorado鈥檚 birthday, to create better representation and reach for the state, to amplify different perspectives, and to reinforce the collaborative foundation of history and storytelling.听
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History Colorado鈥檚 State Historian鈥檚 Council reaches across the state to aid in interpretation of the history of Colorado and the West, providing opportunities to expand the understanding of the historical perspectives, cultures and places of Colorado. Council members work with History Colorado to produce and share knowledge about Colorado and connect with more residents throughout the state. In keeping with the influential, forward-leaning practices of History Colorado 鈥� which is home to the nation鈥檚 largest state historical fund for preservation and operates the flagship History Colorado Center that was dubbed 鈥渢he first great history museum of the 21st century鈥� by Harold Closter of the Smithsonian 鈥� the council鈥檚 collaborative foundation represents one of America鈥檚 most innovative and inclusive approaches to historical leadership, at the state level. 听 听听
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Before joining the State Historian鈥檚 Council during its inception in 2018, Dr. Wei was a former History Colorado board member, lead advisor on History Colorado Center鈥檚 Zoom In exhibition, and contributor to . He also is editor-in-chief of the online Colorado Encyclopedia and has held various national and international fellowships. In addition, he is currently working on a book featuring the 100 objects from the Zoom In exhibition. According to Dr. Wei, 鈥淚 believe it is my responsibility to go beyond the confines of higher education, to share Colorado鈥檚 story with people outside of academics.鈥�
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Dr. Wei is an expert on modern Chinese history and the senior Asian history specialist in his department. Early in his academic career, he developed a professional interest in Asian American history and is now recognized as one of the foremost authorities on Asian American history in Colorado. Dr. Wei鈥檚 latest book, Asians in Colorado: A History of Persecution and Perseverance in the Centennial State, was a finalist for the 2017 Colorado Authors鈥� League鈥檚 鈥淎ward for General Nonfiction.鈥� 听
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鈥淎s State Historian, Dr. Wei will bring a fresh perspective to our shared history, helping us tell new stories and share new voices. He鈥檚 been an important part of History Colorado for many years, and with this new role, he will enhance the depth, history and interpretation of our collection 鈥� both inside and outside our museum walls,鈥� said Jason Hanson, History Colorado鈥檚 Chief Creative Officer and Director of Interpretation and Research, who facilitates the State Historian鈥檚 Council. 鈥淭he combination of Dr. Wei鈥檚 experience and commitment, along with the other State Historian鈥檚 Council members, will help present our state鈥檚 rich, complex history in ways that are relevant for Coloradans today.鈥澨�
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Meet Dr. William Wei
Dr. Wei views the State Historian position as an opportunity for speaking out on critical issues affecting Colorado, placing them in historical context. He shares the following vision and goals for this new role, while answering the following questions:
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鈼� 听 听 听 Why is your role so important to sharing Colorado鈥檚 history and reaching more communities? 听鈥淎s the State Historian, I have a responsibility to ensure that the exhibits and the stories they tell are accurate. I hope to tour around the state, to talk with residents and school-age students, to hear their stories 鈥� which are all part of our collective history. After all, if you want a meaningful interpretation of history and culture, you need to talk to the people you are studying.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 What vision do you have for the State Historian鈥檚 Council? 鈥淚 want to encourage council members to engage in more 鈥榓pplied history,鈥� translating their knowledge of the state鈥檚 history and culture into a form that everyday Coloradans can understand.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 What new Ideas and knowledge will you bring? 鈥淢y background as the senior Asian historian in my department at the University of Colorado gives me a broader perspective on the state鈥檚 history and culture, allowing me to place it in a comparative context 鈥� especially around human and civil rights.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 Especially during History Colorado鈥檚 140th anniversary year, how can we bridge Colorado鈥檚 early history with today? 鈥淗istory Colorado鈥檚 anniversary is an opportunity to visit some of the key moments in Colorado鈥檚 past to see how they are viewed today. In particular, I鈥檇 like to revisit the topic of immigration and refugees, which is not new 鈥� and has been part of our state鈥檚 history since the 1800s. I am planning to write some articles on this topic.鈥�
鈼� 听 听 听 What are three messages you鈥檇 like to share with Colorado communities? 鈥淔irst, learning the history of our country and state will prepare you for what the future holds for our communities. Second, studying the state鈥檚 past will teach you about individuals who have fought to realize the country鈥檚 ideals, which are expressed in its founding documents. Third, knowing how Colorado has evolved over time will show you that our state is bending in a progressive direction, at least for now.鈥�
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As State Historian, Dr. Wei will play a key role in guiding History Colorado鈥檚 ongoing work to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans, while setting the groundwork for history, community connection, inclusion, and new relationships. His new role begins on Aug. 1, 2019, and continues through July 31, 2020. 听
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Colorado residents are invited to meet Dr. Wei at History Colorado Center on Colorado Day, when Dr. Noel passes the role of State Historian to him. Visitors can ask Dr. Wei questions and even play a game of Colorado history trivia with him, scheduled on Aug. 1, from 2:15鈥�3:45 p.m. For more details, please click here.
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About The State Historian鈥檚 Council
The Council includes five historians from five different institutions around the state, who each experience a five-year term with annual rotations for the State Historian role. From Aug. 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020, Dr. Wei will lead the following council members in his role as State Historian: Dr. Noel (University of Colorado, Denver); Dr. Nicki Gonzales (Regis University); Dr. Jared Orsi (Colorado State University); and Dr. Duane Vandenbusche (Western State Colorado University). 听For biographical background on each historian, please click .听
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During the council鈥檚 first term, from Aug. 1, 2018, through today, under Dr. Noel鈥檚 leadership, members of the State Historian鈥檚 Council expanded History Colorado鈥檚 reach through a variety of activities around the state, including 36 talks and lectures, 33 events and programs, 19 exhibition consultations, 10 tours and treks, three writing awards, two publications in Colorado Heritage, and one audio-tour narration.听
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鈥淲e are all grateful for Dr. Noel鈥檚 accomplishments and his service as State Historian this past term. Throughout his 50 years of working with History Colorado, Dr. Noel has done so much to bring us all together for greater collaboration and deeper understanding about our history and culture,鈥� added Hanson.
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About History Colorado听
History Colorado is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and an agency of the State of Colorado, with a mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. The historical agency serves as the state鈥檚 memory, preserving the places, stories and material culture of Colorado through statewide museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections and outreach to Colorado communities. Visit or call 303-HISTORY, for more information.
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