Harry Crowe James was a patron of Denver arts and science who served as a Trustee and later also as Treasurer of the Colorado Museum of Natural History (CMNH), now the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. He and his sister, Mrs. Elsie James Lemen, donated funds for a wing of the museum opened in 1928 named for their father William H. James, a founder of the Museum. Harry James was born to a wealthy family in 1868 in Georgetown, Colorado. His father, William H. James, was a mine and smelter owner who was an incorporator of the CMNH and a member of its original Board of Trustees in 1900. Harry James attended the University of Michigan and returned to Denver to enter the business world. He had interests in banking, public utilities and mining in Colorado. In 1892 he married Carrie May Davidson of Denver and they had three children. James became a very popular citizen active in many civic enterprises. He was Trustee for the George W. Clayton Endowment to support Clayton College for Orphan Boys in east Denver. James was elected to the Museum's Board in 1910, and in 1918 he received the additional appointment as Treasurer. He served in these positions until his death in 1932. James was very active in Museum business and at numerous times provided significant personal funds to support Museum acquisitions and expeditions. An avid hunter, he donated many bird and large mammal specimens from hunting trips in Colorado and expeditions across North America. Many were mounted and displayed in the Museum's famous dioramas. In 1919 James and his sister, Mrs. Elsie James Lemen, pledged funds for a south wing of the Museum to be built in honor of their father, William H. James. James Hall was dedicated and opened in 1928.
