On February 18th, Professor Jim Walsh hosted the opening reception of “Unearthed,” a new exhibit at the Molly Brown House Museum.The evening featured live Irish music, food, and insights into how the struggles of early Irish immigrant workers in Leadville—who fought for the eight-hour workday and safer conditions—connect with the labor movements of today. This exhibit was curated by CU Denver students in partnership with Professor Walsh, based on research into 19th-century Irish immigrants in Leadville, Colorado. More than 100 people showed up to celebrate and learn from this important bit of Colorado history. This event also served as a fundraiser for El Centro de los Trabajadores, an immigrant rights organization.
For a special treat, guests were treated to a surprise appearance of the Irish miner, Michael Mooney, who Professor Walsh channeled in an appeal to Denverites to show support for hard-working immigrants, then and now. Check out the video below!