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December 2008 - November 2008 - October 2008 - September 2008
Preservation Alert - 16th Street Mall Update
We have alerted you in the past to our concerns over what might happen to the existing design elements of the 16th Street Mall in the context of an ongoing review by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Our fear has been (and remains) that RTD might elect, as a matter of economics, to replace the multi-colored pavers that are an integral part of the original I.M. Pei design with an alternate material.
In an effort to keep you informed, we want you to know that the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, in conjunction with Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc., the City and County of Denver, and RTD, the three parties who share collective responsibility for the Mall, put out a request for proposal (RFP) on November 18. The RFP seeks to engage a consulting team to assess the existing conditions on the Mall and help develop a rehabilitation plan. We are heartened to see that the RFP expressly recognizes the importance of the Mall from both the functional and design perspectives, and specifically indicates that that the plan is to preserve and protect the design and layout of the granite pavers "wherever feasible."
We are encouraged to see things moving in this direction, and away from a purely dollars and cents, functional analysis that might have encouraged the replacement of the unique design with something entirely different. We want to applaud the advisory group for recognizing the Mall, along with its iconic elements, as something truly special and worth preserving.
The RFP includes several public input opportunities, which we anticipate will occur between now and May 2009, when the final report is due. Historic Denver will play a role in this process, and will keep you informed about any new developments or opportunities for participation.
Historic Boulder, Inc.'s Annual Holiday House Tour
Historic homes in Boulder's historic downtown Whittier neighborhood will open their doors for Historic Boulder's annual Holiday House Tour. Homes on the tour are beautifully decorated for the holidays and docents at each home will share the home's history and architectural features with visitors. Whittier Elementary School, which has been educating students since 1882, will host a holiday boutique during the hours of the tour. The boutique will include ornaments featuring historic buildings from around Boulder, including this year's ornament of Boulder High School.
Saturday, Dec. 6th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 7th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets for the popular tour are $12 for Historic Boulder members, $15 in advance and $20 the days of the tour. Please contact Historic Boulder, 303-444-5192, for more information.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas' Candlelight Tours at The Molly Brown House Museum
"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there..." During the Molly Brown House Museum's candlelit tour you can relive the magic of holidays gone by, enjoy cookies and cider and hear President Theodore Roosevelt recitation of Clement Moore's famed poem. A great activity for young and old!
Please note, this event includes stair-climbing and is not handicap accessible. Tickets are non-refundable.
Click here to view details, dates and to purchase tickets for this event.
What's Your Story?
To celebrate Denver's 150th Birthday, take a trek through history with our new program, Denver Story Trek, a self-guided exploration of Denver's Historic Landmarks. Listen to the stories of the city's important places and of Denver's own 150, recognized by Mayor John Hickenlooper on November 22, 2009.
Tell us about your favorite building in the city by making your own recording here.
Historic Denver's Holiday Wish List
Preservation urgency never takes a holiday! This year, more than any in recent memory, the importance of supporting your most-loved local organizations is at a desperate high. Becoming a member of Historic Denver, making a year-end donation or shopping at the Molly Brown House Museum Store (a treasure trove of Denver's best Victorian, History & Denver-themed gifts) are all ways to fuel the imperative local preservation work & advocacy of Historic Denver, Inc.
Click here to become a member (or give someone you know the gift of membership), make a donation or shop our amazing online store.
Two Familiar Faces at the Historic Denver Helm
As former Executive Director Steve Turner moves on to head up the Colorado Historical Society's State Historical Fund, we are pleased and proud to announce that longtime Historic Denver Board Member and supporter Bob Musgraves has accepted the position of Historic Denver's Executive Director. At his side, Molly Brown House Museum Director Annie Robb Levinsky will serve as Deputy Director. We look forward to a new chapter with this dynamic duo leading our way!
Our 38th Annual Awards Dinner Was a Success!
An "A-list" assemblage of Denver's movers and shakers gathered with us for an unforgettable evening at the Brown Palace Hotel for our Annual Awards Dinner. It was a great celebration of Denver's most passionate preservationists and our city's 150-year history. (If you missed the "Happy Birthday" vocal stylings of First Lady Jeanne Ritter, Councilwomen Robb, Madison and Boigon, Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher and historian Tom Noel, you did miss a grand moment!) We thank the members, sponsors and friends who joined us in honoring our award recipients.
Above all, the evening was a celebration of you - our supporters - without whose continued support our successes would not happen.
One of evening's many highlights was the screening of the Jim Havey film which spotlights - in inimitable style - each of the winning people and projects honored by Historic Denver. Those who attend this event annually look forward to the unveiling of the film with anticipation, and now we're pleased to announce that it is available to us all. Please visit our website and follow the link to the internet posting of this inspiring short film.
Preservation Alert - 16th Street Mall Update
As you may have noticed from recent press, Denver's downtown landmark pedestrian retail spine, the 16th Street Mall, continues to make news as stakeholders consider options for its improvement as a transit path for the RTD Mall shuttle. While no definitive proposals have come forward, Historic Denver continues to be concerned that the Mall's innovative design (by I. M. Pei) may be compromised by RTD through replacement of the existing, colorful granite pavers with concrete or other modifications that could substantially impair the original design intent. We plan to stay proactive on this important issue and, as it develops further, we may need to call on supporters to make their displeasure over these sorts of fundamental design changes to this important city feature actively known to RTD and City Council. However, at this point we are prepared to wait and see what course RTD ultimately proposes. We encourage our members and friends to stay tuned for updates on the process.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation Chooses Denver for its Spring Retreat
Together with Historic Boulder and Colorado Preservation, Inc., we are proud to have been chosen to host the three-day NTHP Spring Retreat in April. The event will feature tours, social and networking events and a heavy-hitting line-up of prominent preservationists who will speak on a wide range of topics, including heritage tourism and the NTHP's Partners in the Field grant program (of which Historic Denver is a beneficiary and participant.)
Look for details as they emerge on our website, www.historicdenver.org
38th Annual Awards Dinner
Come celebrate 150 years of Denver history! Our Annual Awards Dinner will be held at the Brown Palace Hotel on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 beginning with a reception in the hotel's historic main lobby from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM. Award presentations and dinner will follow the Grand Ballroom from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Historic Haunting at the Molly Brown House Museum
Victorian Horrors
October 17, 18, 24 & 25
Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania Street
Tickets: $13 - $16
The floors creak, the candles flicker and chills run up your spine at the Museum's annual Victorian Horrors theater event, a presentation of wicked writings by long-dead authors. Edgar Allan Poe, HG Wells and others will haunt you with their tales of the macabre. This hour-long event is perfect for a group of friends or date night. Its also your only chance to go "behind-the-ropes" inside the museum.
All Hallow's Eve Full Tea
Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania Street
October 31
Tickets: $19.00 (Teas include a tour of the Museum and last approximately 1 1/2 hours.)
Spirits will be close at hand on this day of the dead. Explore the Museum's traditional Halloween decorations, enjoy Halloween tea treats and earn the chance to win a prize for best Victorian costume.
Preservation Update: Partners in the Field Grant and Urban Living News
This summer we welcomed Alice Gilbertson to the Historic Denver staff. As Director of Neighborhood Preservation Services she oversees our Urban Living program and the three-year Partners in the Field Grant awarded to Historic Denver, Inc. by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2008. She reports that we are making progress on several fronts.
The intent of the matching Partners in the Field Grant is to expand our assistance to residents living in post-World War II Denver communities. With Alice at the helm, we are developing a “short list” of these first-ring Denver suburbs and communities so we can begin a needs assessment of their preservation issues and opportunities.
On another Urban Living front, we are excited to be developing a window weatherization workshop to teach homeowners about proper weather stripping, caulking, and sealing techniques as well as to educate them about the importance of restoring, rather than replacing, historic windows.
Finally, our annual house tour, in the early stages of planning, will feature the mid-century modern architecture of the Hilltop Neighborhood. Please check in with our website's "Events" page in coming months for details as they emerge.
A Reluctant "Goodbye"
We're sad to report that our Executive Director, Steve Turner, is leaving Historic Denver this month. Happily, he's not going far! We wish him luck with his new & exciting post as Director of the Colorado Historical Society State Historical Fund. He will be missed!
We're grateful to Board Trustee Bob Musgraves, who will keep our ship sailing smoothly until a replacement Executive Director is found.
Save the Date! Historic Denver’s 38th Annual Awards Dinner at the Historic Brown Palace Hotel
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Join us as Historic Denver recognizes the exceptional people and outstanding preservation projects of 2008. The Annual Dinner always features a special “Meet and Greet” cocktail hour in the Brown Palace lobby which is followed by dinner and an awards presentation. Nearly 400 local government officials, community members and business leaders attend this elegant evening. People involved in their historic neighborhoods attend to exchange ideas on sustainability, preservation and education. Urban living, affordable housing and landscaping continue to be topics discussed at each table.
Tables are $1,850 and Individual tickets are $150. To reserve a table or to make individual reservations, please call Michael Schlut at 303-534-5288 x 56.
Congratulations Curtis Park!
Curtis Park "F": On August 18, Denver City Council designated yet another portion of the Curtis Park neighborhood, known as Curtis Park “F,” as a landmark historic district. Spanning the 2800 blocks of Curtis and Champa Streets, this new district is at the core of Denver’s oldest residential neighborhood. Although the National Register district covers a much larger area of Curtis Park, only local designation through the City of Denver offers protection against demolition and out-of-scale infill.
Congratulations to the neighbors, who have steadfastly protected the unique character of Curtis Park and have now created their sixth local district!
Upcoming Event: Whittier House Tour
Whittier, one of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, is having a house tour on Sunday,September 7th from 1PM to 6PM. The tour features nine homes (all but one are nineteenth century) plus Denver's oldest grocery store.
Tickets are $15 and are available online at www.WhitterNeighborhood.org and at all Front Range King Soopers and The Black American West Museum (31st and California.) Tickets are also good for 1/2 price admission to the museum. Tour information is available online at www.WhitterNeighborhood.org or via telephone (303) 282-6672
Exhibit: RedShift Gallery Shows Off an Historic Collection of Photos
Running through September 13th, RedShift Gallery's current photography exhibit offers an excellent opportunity to see 19th century Denver in large format black and white. Don't miss their closing reception, scheduled from 5-7 p.m. on September 4th. RedShift Gallery: 2266 Broadway, tel. 303.293.2991
Historic Denver Seeks Transportation Partner for Denver Story Trek
Historic Denver’s newest program, Denver Story Trek, is a big hit! Hundreds of visitors have already explored the city using the new Story Trek brochure and free cell-phone audio tours.
Historic Denver is now seeking a transportation partner to help offer bus and/or bike tours for groups. If you are interested please contact Annie Levinsky for the full Request for Proposals, (303) 832-4092 ext. 11 or alevinsky@mollybrown.org
