Photo: DU Archives
Given to DU Archivist Steve Fisher by a local postcard collector who found it at this year’s Rocky Mountain Book and Paper Fair, this 1911 invitation is to an appearance by then-President William Howard Taft at the DU gymnasium.
According to a New York Times account of the president’s Denver visit, he gave two speeches on Oct. 3, 1911 — “one to the Public Lands Convention and the second to members of the Republican organization, including the State Central Commission and various committees.”
“We are in favor of progress and construction,” Taft told his fellow Republicans. “We are in favor of prosperity and of doing nothing that will interfere with the business growth of this country provided that business growth be along lines that are legitimate and within the statutes.”
According to the Times article, Taft also went to the “baseball park” on Oct. 3, where he presented trophies to members of the minor-league Denver Bears, recent Western League champions. He also was made an honorary member of the Denver Press Club.