{"id":5778,"date":"2026-07-29T17:49:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/?p=5778"},"modified":"2026-07-29T17:49:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T17:49:58","slug":"library-exhibit-celebrates-douglas-countys-food-and-farming-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/library-exhibit-celebrates-douglas-countys-food-and-farming-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"Library Exhibit Celebrates Douglas County\u2019s Food and Farming Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For immediate release: July 29, 2026<\/p>\n<p>Douglas County Libraries invites visitors to explore the county\u2019s culinary and agricultural history in its new freestanding exhibit, From the Archives: The Well-fed West \u2013 The Story of Food, Farming and Community in Douglas County. The exhibit is on display August 1-September 13 at DCL\u2019s Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker locations.<\/p>\n<p>Curated by Douglas County Libraries Archives and Local History, the Well-fed West features stories of the places, people and traditions that helped feed and nourish Douglas County for generations, from Indigenous foragers and early homesteads to bustling creameries, soda fountains, community picnics, and favorite local saloons and eateries. Visitors will discover surprising stories, memorable characters, and interesting history along the way.<\/p>\n<p>The free exhibit is on display for a limited time at libraries in Castle Rock (100 S. Wilcox Street), Highlands Ranch (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.), Lone Tree (10055 Library Way) and Parker (20105 East Mainstreet). Open during normal library operating hours, and no registration required. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/dcl.org\/\">DCL.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.<\/p>\n<style>#jtg-5780 .modula-item .jtg-social a, .lightbox-socials.jtg-social a{ color: #ffffff }#jtg-5780 .modula-item .jtg-social svg, .lightbox-socials.jtg-social svg { height: 16px; width: 16px }#jtg-5780 .modula-item .jtg-social a:not(:last-child), .lightbox-socials.jtg-social a:not(:last-child) { margin-right: 10px }#jtg-5780 .modula-item .figc {color:#000000;}#jtg-5780 .modula-item .modula-item-content { transform: scale(1) }#jtg-5780 { width:100%;}#jtg-5780 .modula-items{height:600px;}@media screen and (max-width: 992px) {#jtg-5780 .modula-items{height:600px;}}@media screen and (max-width: 768px) {#jtg-5780 .modula-items{height:600px;}}#jtg-5780 .modula-items .figc p.description { font-size:16px; }#jtg-5780 .modula-items .figc p.description { color:#000000;}#jtg-5780.modula-gallery .modula-item > a, #jtg-5780.modula-gallery .modula-item, #jtg-5780.modula-gallery .modula-item-content > a:not(.modula-no-follow) { cursor:zoom-in; } #jtg-5780.modula-gallery .modula-item-content .modula-no-follow { cursor: default; } @media screen and (max-width:480px){#jtg-5780 .modula-item .figc .jtg-title {  font-size: 12px; }#jtg-5780 .modula-items .figc p.description { color:#000000;font-size:14px; }}<\/style>\n<!-- Gallery Container -->\r\n<div  id=\"jtg-5780\" class=\"modula modula-gallery modula-creative-gallery\" data-config=\"{&quot;height&quot;:600,&quot;tabletHeight&quot;:600,&quot;mobileHeight&quot;:600,&quot;desktopHeight&quot;:600,&quot;enableTwitter&quot;:false,&quot;enableWhatsapp&quot;:false,&quot;enableFacebook&quot;:false,&quot;enablePinterest&quot;:false,&quot;enableLinkedin&quot;:false,&quot;enableEmail&quot;:false,&quot;randomFactor&quot;:0.5,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;creative-gallery&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:12,&quot;gutter&quot;:3,&quot;mobileGutter&quot;:3,&quot;tabletGutter&quot;:3,&quot;desktopGutter&quot;:3,&quot;enableResponsive&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;tabletColumns&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;mobileColumns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;lazyLoad&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;lightboxOpts&quot;:{&quot;loop&quot;:false,&quot;arrows&quot;:true,&quot;toolbar&quot;:true,&quot;keyboard&quot;:false,&quot;wheel&quot;:false,&quot;buttons&quot;:[&quot;close&quot;],&quot;hash&quot;:false,&quot;lang&quot;:&quot;en&quot;,&quot;touch&quot;:false,&quot;protect&quot;:false,&quot;i18n&quot;:{&quot;en&quot;:{&quot;CLOSE&quot;:&quot;Close&quot;,&quot;NEXT&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;PREV&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;Error&quot;:&quot;The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.&quot;,&quot;PLAY_START&quot;:&quot;Start slideshow&quot;,&quot;PLAY_STOP&quot;:&quot;Pause slideshow&quot;,&quot;FULL_SCREEN&quot;:&quot;Full screen&quot;,&quot;THUMBS&quot;:&quot;Thumbnails&quot;,&quot;DOWNLOAD&quot;:&quot;Download&quot;,&quot;SHARE&quot;:&quot;Share&quot;,&quot;ZOOM&quot;:&quot;Zoom&quot;}},&quot;clickSlide&quot;:false,&quot;clickOutside&quot;:false,&quot;dblclickContent&quot;:false,&quot;dblclickSlide&quot;:false,&quot;dblclickOutside&quot;:false,&quot;clickContent&quot;:false,&quot;baseTpl&quot;:&quot;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-container modula-lightbox-jtg-5780\\&quot; role=\\&quot;dialog\\&quot; tabindex=\\&quot;-1\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-bg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-inner\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-infobar\\&quot;&gt;&lt;span data-fancybox-index&gt;&lt;\\\/span&gt;&nbsp;\\\/&nbsp;&lt;span data-fancybox-count&gt;&lt;\\\/span&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-toolbar\\&quot;&gt;{{buttons}}&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-navigation\\&quot;&gt;{{arrows}}&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-stage\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-caption\\&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=\\&quot;modula-fancybox-caption__body\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&lt;\\\/div&gt;&quot;},&quot;inView&quot;:false,&quot;email_subject&quot;:&quot;Check out this awesome image !!&quot;,&quot;email_message&quot;:&quot;Here is the link to the image : %%image_link%% and this is the link to the gallery : %%gallery_link%%&quot;,&quot;lightbox&quot;:&quot;fancybox&quot;}\">\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t<!-- Items Container -->\r\n\t<div  class=\"modula-items\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"modula-item effect-pufrobo\" >\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-overlay\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-content\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-image-id=\"5781\" href=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn.jpg\" rel=\"jtg-5780\" data-caption=\"The 20 Mile House and Barn in Parker served as a roadside stop and post office en route to the Pike\u2019s Peak region.\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" title=\"Open image in lightbox\" class=\"tile-inner modula-item-link\"><\/a>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<img class=\"pic wp-image-5781\"  data-valign=\"middle\" data-halign=\"center\" alt=\"\" data-full=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn.jpg\" title=\"alh-20-mile-house-barn\" width=\"1200\" height=\"551\" src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn.jpg\" data-caption=\"The 20 Mile House and Barn in Parker served as a roadside stop and post office en route to the Pike\u2019s Peak region.\"srcset=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn-1024x470.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-20-mile-house-barn-768x353.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\" \/>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"figc\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"figc-inner\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"description\">The 20 Mile House and Barn in Parker served as a roadside stop and post office en route to the Pike\u2019s Peak region.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><div class=\"modula-item effect-pufrobo\" >\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-overlay\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-content\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-image-id=\"5782\" href=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic.jpg\" rel=\"jtg-5780\" data-caption=\"Community picnics brought Douglas County residents together from as early as the late 19th century. Pictured: Picnic-goers at the Melvin picnic grounds near Parker, circa 1890-1910.\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" title=\"Open image in lightbox\" class=\"tile-inner modula-item-link\"><\/a>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<img class=\"pic wp-image-5782\"  data-valign=\"middle\" data-halign=\"center\" alt=\"\" data-full=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic.jpg\" title=\"alh-community-picnic\" width=\"1200\" height=\"699\" src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic.jpg\" data-caption=\"Community picnics brought Douglas County residents together from as early as the late 19th century. Pictured: Picnic-goers at the Melvin picnic grounds near Parker, circa 1890-1910.\"srcset=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic-1024x596.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-community-picnic-768x447.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\" \/>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"figc\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"figc-inner\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"description\">Community picnics brought Douglas County residents together from as early as the late 19th century. Pictured: Picnic-goers at the Melvin picnic grounds near Parker, circa 1890-1910.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><div class=\"modula-item effect-pufrobo\" >\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-overlay\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-content\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-image-id=\"5783\" href=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer.jpg\" rel=\"jtg-5780\" data-caption=\"The ranching and dairying industries were well-suited to the region\u2019s climate and landscape.\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" title=\"Open image in lightbox\" class=\"tile-inner modula-item-link\"><\/a>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<img class=\"pic wp-image-5783\"  data-valign=\"middle\" data-halign=\"center\" alt=\"\" data-full=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer.jpg\" title=\"alh-milk-farmer\" width=\"800\" height=\"992\" src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer.jpg\" data-caption=\"The ranching and dairying industries were well-suited to the region\u2019s climate and landscape.\"srcset=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer.jpg 800w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer-242x300.jpg 242w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-milk-farmer-768x952.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\" \/>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"figc\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"figc-inner\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"description\">The ranching and dairying industries were well-suited to the region\u2019s climate and landscape.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><div class=\"modula-item effect-pufrobo\" >\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-overlay\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-content\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-image-id=\"5784\" href=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker.jpg\" rel=\"jtg-5780\" data-caption=\"By the late 19th century, dairy farming had become a cornerstone of Douglas County\u2019s economy, with creameries such as the Creamery at Parker operating across the county.\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" title=\"Open image in lightbox\" class=\"tile-inner modula-item-link\"><\/a>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<img class=\"pic wp-image-5784\"  data-valign=\"middle\" data-halign=\"center\" alt=\"\" data-full=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker.jpg\" title=\"alh-the-creamery-at-parker\" width=\"1200\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker.jpg\" data-caption=\"By the late 19th century, dairy farming had become a cornerstone of Douglas County\u2019s economy, with creameries such as the Creamery at Parker operating across the county.\"srcset=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker-1024x611.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-the-creamery-at-parker-768x458.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\" \/>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"figc\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"figc-inner\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"description\">By the late 19th century, dairy farming had become a cornerstone of Douglas County\u2019s economy, with creameries such as the Creamery at Parker operating across the county.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><div class=\"modula-item effect-pufrobo\" >\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-overlay\"><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<div class=\"modula-item-content\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a data-image-id=\"5785\" href=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart.jpg\" rel=\"jtg-5780\" data-caption=\"The Van Lopik Drug Store cart was well-known for advertising ice cream.\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" title=\"Open image in lightbox\" class=\"tile-inner modula-item-link\"><\/a>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<img class=\"pic wp-image-5785\"  data-valign=\"middle\" data-halign=\"center\" alt=\"\" data-full=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart.jpg\" title=\"alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart\" width=\"1200\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart.jpg\" data-caption=\"The Van Lopik Drug Store cart was well-known for advertising ice cream.\"srcset=\"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/07\/alh-van-lopik-drug-store-cart-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\" \/>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"figc\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"figc-inner\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"description\">The Van Lopik Drug Store cart was well-known for advertising ice cream.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\t\t\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n\t{\r\n\t\t\"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n\t\t\"@type\"   : \"ImageGallery\",\r\n\t\t\"id\"      : \"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778\",\r\n\t\t\"url\"     : \"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778\"\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n    <\/script>\r\n\r\n\t\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For immediate release: July 29, 2026 Douglas County Libraries invites visitors to explore the county\u2019s culinary and agricultural history in its new freestanding exhibit, From the Archives: The Well-fed West \u2013 The Story of Food, Farming and Community in Douglas County. The exhibit is on display August 1-September 13 at DCL\u2019s Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5778"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5787,"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5778\/revisions\/5787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dclblog.org\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}