Aspen Historical Society

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Body, Mind and Spirit: 1949-1960

With the end of the war a fresh new outlook for Aspen emerged with the arrival in 1945 of Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke. The prominent Chicago couple brought vision, culture, a love for the outdoors and financial backing with them and infused modern Aspen with the idea that this was a place where mind, body and spirit could flourish.

1949
Goethe Bicentennial Celebration with Dr. Albert Schweitzer as guest lecturer (his only visit to the US) is held in tent designed by Eero Saarinen. The success of the event gives birth to summer cultural institutions including the Aspen Music Festival & School, Aspen Institute, and International Design Conference. Stuart Mace opens Toklat at Ashcroft.

1950
Aspen hosts the FIS World Alpine Championships, the first sanctioned international competition in the U.S. World class skiers now recognize Aspen’s skiing potential.

1958
Friedl Pfeifer opens Buttermilk Mountain. Aspen Highlands opens. DRC Brown becomes President of the Aspen Skiing Corporation.

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