The Tread of Pioneers Museum’s 2014 Brown Bag Summer Lecture Series is up and running and is sure to deepen your love of Routt County.

Each lecture takes place at the Tread of Pioneers Museum (unless otherwise posted) at Eighth and Oak streets from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 29. We invite you to bring a friend and a lunch to these free events.

The lecture series kicked off June 27 with author Flint Whitlock discussing his book, “Soldiers on Skis: A Pictorial Memoir of the 10th Mountain Division.” Whitlock is a renowned expert on the 10th Mountain Division and travels the country speaking about the subject.

This presentation expanded on the focus of our newest feature exhibit by the same name, “Soldiers on Skis: Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division.”

We will continue our 10th Mountain Division focus on Aug. 15 when Nancy Kramer and other 10th Mountain Division descendants present “The Descendant’s Perspective: The 10th Mountain Division’s Impact on the ‘Next Generation.’”

Last week, we went off the beaten path and hosted a special three-hour tour July 11. Participants boarded our rented bus and joined historian Jim Stanko on a “Ghost Mine Driving Tour” to Oak Creek.

Stanko discussed the history of the five major mines between Steamboat and Oak Creek (Arrow Head, Haybro, Keystone, Juniper and Perry/Moffat Mines), the company towns, the affect the mines had on the railroad’s expansion to Steamboat Springs, and mining’s impact on Steamboat Springs. Once in Oak Creek, we toured the Tracks & Trails Museum with notable historian Mike Yurich.

For all of those car lovers and collectors out there, this week’s lecture is sure to please. On Friday, Terry Hefty, Nick Rose and Eddie O’Brien will present “Steamboat Springs Vintage Auto Races: 1984-1998.” Come and reminisce about the days when antique cars sped through courses on the streets of Old Town and the base of Mount Werner.

On July 25, hear about the more secretive and wild side of Steamboat Springs when local author and Hayden Heritage Center Curator, Laurel Watson, returns to discuss the highlights of her newest book, “The Yampa Valley Sin Circuit: Historic Red Light Districts of Routt and Moffat Counties.”

Our “history with the locals” lecture series would not be complete without hearing the first-hand perspective and memories of our longtime residents. On Aug. 1, Carl Vail presents “A Look Back on Life in Steamboat Springs: 1940s-present.”

Friday lectures in August are focused on various aspects of Routt County’s deep agricultural roots. On Aug. 8, Centennial Ranch owner, Jo Stanko, discusses how ranchers pioneered the concept “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” Katherine Gourley is back by popular demand Aug. 22 as she remembers “Growing up in Sidney, CO.” We will close the series on Aug. 29 with South Routt rancher, Linda Long, who will present her perspective on “A Day in the Life of a Routt County Ranch Wife.”

Whether you are interested in Routt County’s rich agricultural history, vintage automobiles, local mining or special military forces, the museum’s Brown Bag Summer Lecture Series offers something for everyone. We hope to see you at the museum!

Candice Bannister is the executive director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum.