In the 1880s, “Baby Doe” Tabor and her husband, Horace, were the wealthiest couple in Colorado. A global depression destroyed their fortune, and when Baby Doe died in a Leadville shack, her story exposed Coloradans to an uncomfortable truth: homelessness can happen to anyone.

Searching for Home invites you to consider the complexities of an issue often reduced to stereotypes. The exhibit explores the lives of Coloradans whose belongings aren’t typically found in museums: the down-on-his-luck prospector renting a bed, a beauty queen sleeping on a friend’s couch after an eviction. Discover the challenges of preparing a healthy meal with a few dollars and a microwave, put yourself in the shoes of a juvenile leaving foster care, and discover how labels have changed the way we think about people experiencing homelessness.

History Colorado staff is developing Searching for Home with a Community Advisory Committee. The exhibit invites visitors to reflect on life without the shelter, health care, safety and relationships provided by stable housing.