Members of Historic Denver receive bi-monthly updates about important preservation issues and activities? JOIN NOW!
Don't miss Historic Denver this weekend at the Denver Home Remodeling
Show. With the Restoration for Living Awards in full swing (our annual
contest that recognizes preservation-minded contractors, architects
and homeowners whose renovation projects marry modern comforts with
the historic elements prized by Historic Denver) we look forward to
promoting the contest & educating about the importance of thoughtful
renovation and preservation practices at this weekend's Denver Home
Remodeling Show.
Show dates, times and ticket prices:
Friday, March 13 - 4:00 to 8:00pm
Saturday, March 14 - 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday, March 15 - 11:00am to 5:00pm
Adults $7.50, Seniors (62+) $6.50, Children under 12 are free.
Stop by the Historic Denver, Inc. booth at the Colorado Home
Remodeling Show to learn about our newest award category, the Habitat
for Humanity Resourceful Renovation Award (sponsored by the Habitat
Home Improvement Outlet Stores of Metro Denver) which recognizes the
thoughtful or innovative reuse of savaged materials in a renovation
project of any kind.
The museum's family-friendly teas & workshops offer something special
for everyone's spring calendar!
March 21 - Teddy Bear Cream Tea, tickets $20.00
April 4 - To the Nines Hat Workshop, tickets $55.00
May 8, 9 10 - Mother's Day Full Tea, tickets $20.00
Click HERE to learn more & purchase tickets to Molly Brown House
Museum events
See and post photos, network & connect with other members of our One
Past 5 young professionals happy hour events on Historic Denver's Facebook
page....and don't miss HD's Flickr photo gallery - click here to learn more.
We're busy planning a much-anticipated June 6 & 7 tour of several of
the mid-century modern architectural gems in Denver's Hilltop
neighborhood.
Tickets: $12 Historic Denver Members, $17 non-members
Click HERE to purchase your tickets in advance for our June 6 & 7
House Tour.
Designed to educate real estate professionals on the unique issues of
historic properties, our Landmark Real Estate Seminar is an
opportunity for professional realtors to earn eight hours of
Continuing Education Credit.
This day-long education covers such topics as local designation and
design review, historic architectural styles, maintenance concerns,
and how to successfully market a historic property. Denver has
forty-eight historic districts and over three hundred individually
designated landmarks, so this seminar is a must for any real estate
professional practicing in the area.
Cost: $175 for HD Members, $200 non-members
The 2009 Realtor Seminar will be held on May 15, 2009. For more
information please contact Michael Schlut at (720) 891-4956.
Reservations made online are electronic and your receipt and
confirmation will come to your e-mail address from either the Molly
Brown House Museum or Historic Denver Store.
Click HERE to register for the workshop.
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Feb. 4 - Dear Historic Denver Supporter,
You are receiving this email because of your membership and support of Historic Denver and your support of historic preservation. The Colorado General Assembly will soon be considering legislation that, as currently drafted, could threaten the State Historical Fund, a major source of funding for historical preservation projects undertaken by Historic Denver and other historic preservation organizations throughout the State of Colorado.
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February 4, 2009 - - LEGISLATIVE ALERT - Action Requested Immediately
BACKGROUND: Since 1992, the State Historical Fund has been funded solely by a share of the tax revenues realized from limited stakes gambling in Colorado’s three gaming communities, Blackhawk, Central City and Cripple Creek. These monies have traditionally provided Historic Denver with hundreds of thousands of dollars a year that it uses to support its historic preservation programs, including the Sacred Landmarks Preservation Program. Most of this money goes directly to pay for restoration work carried out to preserve important historic landmarks, representing a significant economic stimulus in the Denver metro area and throughout the State. For each $1 million awarded by the State Historical Fund, approximately $5.7 million in additional funds were invested in Colorado projects and communities.
In November 2008, Colorado voters approved a constitutional amendment--Amendment 50--that authorizes each of these three gaming communities (on a local-option basis) to allow gaming establishments in that particular community to , any combination of (1) expanded gaming hours, (2) additional gaming offerings (for example, roulette), or (3) increased bet limits. The intent of Amendment 50 was to provide enhanced support to the State’s Community Colleges by generating additional gaming tax revenues that would result from the “new rules” created by Amendment 50 (i.e., the longer hours, additional games, and higher bet limits).
However, the premise was that funding for the State Historical Fund would not be impaired by the Amendment. Rather, according to the Amendment’s sponsors and author, existing programs and projects funded by the State Historical Fund would continue to receive essentially the same share of tax revenues that they had traditionally received under the “old rules,” along with a small share of the increased revenues that resulted from the “new rules,” with the bulk of the incremental tax revenues resulting from the “new rules” going to support the Community Colleges.
BASIS FOR ACTION REQUEST: Rep. Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs) & Rep. Jack Pommer (D-Longmont), along with Sen. Abel Tapia (D-Pueblo), are now proposing specific legislation to implement the constitutional amendment and distribute the increased tax revenues generated by the effects of Amendment 50. The historic preservation community believes that the current draft legislation ignores the language and intent of Amendment 50 about how old and incremental tax revenues from the effects of Amendment 50 were to be allocated and creates a funding scheme that could adversely impact future funding for historical preservation programs and projects.
REQUESTED ACTION: Please call or email your State Legislators immediately and encourage them to vote against any Amendment 50 implementing legislation that doesn’t adhere to the spirit and intent of Amendment 50 in terms of protecting the revenues that the State Historical Fund and historic preservation have come to rely on under the “old rules” or that is otherwise unfair or inequitable to historic preservation. To find contact information for your state legislators, go to: www.votesmart.org.
For more information contact Bob Musgraves, Executive Director of Historic Denver, at 720-891-4957 or rmusgraves@historicdenver.org.
To find contact information for your state legislators, click here:
Feb 11- Dear Historic Denver Supporter,
Your involvement is urgently needed!
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Amendment 50 Alert
As mentioned in a prior Preservation Alert, Rep. Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs) & Rep. Jack Pommer (D-Longmont), along with Sen. Abel Tapia (D-Pueblo), have introduced HB 09-1272. This bill is designed to implement Constitutional Amendment 50 relating to the expansion of limited gaming in the State.
The supporters of historic preservation believe that the bill, as currently drafted, does not fairly reflect the language and intent of Amendment 50 in terms of how the tax revenues derived from limited gaming are divided and in its current form will jeopardize funds for the State Historical Fund, which are distributed to important historic preservation projects statewide.
The House Education Committee has scheduled a hearing of the bill for 1:30pm on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at the State Capitol in Room 0112.
It is imperative that legislators see and hear from supporters of historic preservation and specifically from persons involved with projects that have benefited from State Historical Fund grants.
Please show your support for historic preservation by attending tomorrow's hearing. Again, it is at 1:30pm, Thursday, February 12, 2009, in Room 0112 of the State Capitol.
To learn more about our concerns, the bill’s language and how the gaming revenues are divided, click here to visit www.historicdenver.org
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Dear Historic Denver Supporter,
Welcome to the first of Historic Denver's once-a-month Preservation Events newsletter, designed to inform you of upcoming social & educational events that benefit the programs of Historic Denver and our flagship property, the Molly Brown House Museum.
Whether it's our incomparable Angels in the Architecture concert, One Past Five happy hours, our celebrated house tour or one of our many wallet-friendly family events at the Molly Brown House that pique your interest, we've made it easy to follow the newsletter links to our online "events store" and purchase tickets to the hottest tickets in town.
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Upcoming Event
Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado and Historic Denver Present Henry Purcell's operatic masterpiece - 17th Century Treasures: Dido and Aeneas
Stirring performances, plus chamber music by Johann Rosenmuller, presented in a historic venue.
Location: Denver's South Broadway Christian Church at 23 Lincoln Street, Denver
Tickets:
$22 - General admission
$18 - Seniors (62+) & military personnel (active or retired)
$5 - children and students
The mission of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado (BCOC) is to bring to Colorado audiences the musical riches and spirit of improvisation of 17th and 18th centuries. At the heart of this musical mission is the joy and excitement of live music-making. Historic Denver manages a grant from the State Historical Fund to help restore the original organ case and stenciling of the pipes on display. This collaboration between Historic Denver, the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado and the South Broadway Christian Church reflects the desire of our diverse organizations to work together to educate about the appreciation and preservation of historic sacred structures and the music that has historically filled them.
Please visit www.historicdenver.org to learn more about Historic Denver's Sacred Landmarks Program, which advocates and assists in the preservation of Denver's historic sacred places and the communities they support.
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Spring Events at the Molly Brown House Museum
The museum's family-friendly Teddy Bear & Mother's Day Teas, crafty Victorian hat workshop & elegant Titanic Dinner assure something special for everyone's spring calendar!
March 13 - Votes for Women Full Tea, tickets $20.00
March 21 - Teddy Bear Cream Tea, tickets $20.00
April 4 - To the Nines Hat Workshop, tickets $55.00
April 18 - Titanic Dinner, tickets $90.00
May 8, 9 10 - Mother's Day Full Tea, tickets $20.00
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Save the Date!
June 6 & 7
Mid-Century Modern Hilltop Neighborhood House Tour
We're busy planning a much-anticipated June 6 & 7 tour of several of the mid-century modern architectural gems in Denver's Hilltop neighborhood.
Tickets: $12 Historic Denver Members, $17 non-members
(Ticket allows admission on either day)
SNEAK PEEK: Go to our website, www.historicdenver.org, for a sneak peek of one of the featured tour homes.
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One Past 5
Last month a chic assemblage of Denver's young urban professionals gathered high above the 16th Street Mall - all in the name of historic preservation - in what was a smashing success of an evening.
"I took a tour of Holly Kylberg's top floors of the D&F Tower at a Historic Denver party Tuesday night with nightclubber Paulina Szafranski. The cool space gave me vertigo — but I'd follow Kylberg and Szafranski off a cliff" - Bill Husted, The Denver Post
This hot reservation-only event sold out in days. Thanks(!) to all of you who joined us behind the clockfaces...and to those of you who missed the list, stay posted! Plans for our May, Mid-Century Modern-themed ONE PAST 5 event (at another exclusive location) will soon be unveiled via email to Historic Denver members and on our website, www.historicdenver.org.
The Rocky Mountain News' Penny Parker reports eavesdropping on a One Past 5 partygoer: "This is the best looking crowd ever! I'm not dressed nearly hip enough for this crowd."
Hipness like this doesn't happen without a lot of help! We, and our event partners at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, wish to thank co-chairs Tom Lorz and Holly Kylberg and all of our generous sponsors - pastry chef extradordinaire Keegan Gerhard of d bar Desserts, Nordstrom, The Denver Chop House & Brewery, Halcyon House Design & Modern in Denver (MID) Magazine
Playing hard is fun, but working hard to protect and preserve Denver's architectural heritage is what it's really about. Click here to learn about Historic Denver and the importance of your future role in our city's preservation efforts.
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Curious about historic preservation networking, 21st century style?
See and post photos from the event, network & connect with other One Past 5 attendees.
Click here to see how quickly One Past 5 is growing on Facebook
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Historic Denver's Restoration for Living Awards at the Denver Home Remodeling Show
With our Restoration for Living Awards in full swing (our annual contest that recognizes preservation-minded contractors, architects and homeowners whose renovation projects marry modern comforts with the historic elements prized by Historic Denver) we look forward to promoting the contest & educating about the importance of thoughtful renovation and preservation at the upcoming Denver Home Remodeling Show
Show dates, times, and ticket prices:
Friday, March 13 - 4:00 to 8:00pm
Saturday, March 14 - 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday, March 15 - 11:00am to 5:00pm
Adults $7.50, Seniors (62+) $6.50, Children under 12 are free.
Go to www.DenverHomeRemodelingShow.com. For more information, call 800.756.4788.
Check out our newest Restoration for Living Award category - the Resourceful Renovation Award - sponsored by the Denver metro Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Outlets.
To learn more about Historic Denver's Restoration for Living Awards (deadline May 14th) or to enter your renovation project for a chance to win a cast bronze historic house plaque, click HERE.
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Dear Historic Denver Supporter,
Our new year's resolution is to offer a calendar brimming with interesting events and opportunities for you to help write Denver's historic preservation story. The first few months of Historic Denver's 2009 calendar boast several not-to-be-missed dates. Read on to learn about the spectacle that is our Angels in the Architecture concert, a budget-friendly family outing at the Molly Brown House Museum and the hottest networking ticket for young professionals in town.
Finding meaning in the face of an economic downturn is as easy as narrowing your list of what really matters. Supporting the local organizations that directly impact your community is critical to their survival, especially now. We invite you and urge you to help us to continue to do the work we love for the city we love. Together we're making history!
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Angels in the Architecture: Ring in the New Year at Saint John's Cathedral
The walls at St. John’s Cathedral will ring with sounds from the past during Historic Denver’s 5th annual Angels in the Architecture concert benefiting our Sacred Landmarks Preservation Program.
When: January 23, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: St. John's Cathedral, 1350 Washington Street, Denver
Tickets are $25 per person ($20 per person for Historic Denver members) and can be purchased online or by calling 303.534.5288.
The concert will feature select artists from the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado who will play instruments twice as old as the city of Denver, many dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. (Now in its 4th season, BCOC has performed to rave reviews from both the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News.)
Following the orchestra’s performances, attendees will have the opportunity to hear Stephen Tappe and Richard Robertson, the organists for St. John’s, play the 8,000 pipe Kimball organ - one of the few such instruments that functions exactly as it did over 75 years ago. Mr. Tappe and Mr. Robertson will perform selected pieces that show the great tonal color of the instrument as well as its ability to perform a very soft pianissimo or a grand forte, which shakes the very stones of the cathedral.
The concert is sponsored by Van Camp’s Hardwood Floors, St. John’s Cathedral, Slaterpaull Architects, Ekman Design Studio, Anne & Brooks Bond and Gene & Sara Green.
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One Past 5 - Young Professionals Happy Hour
When: February 3, 2008, 5:01 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: The top four floors of the D&F Tower, at 16th Street & Arapahoe Street in Downtown Denver
Tickets: $20 includes two glasses of wine or beer, hors d’oeuvres and a 12-month membership to both Historic Denver and The National Trust for Historic Preservation
Historic Denver & The National Trust for Historic Preservation will be hosting the first annual Young Professionals Happy Hour on the top four floors of the D & F Tower, behind the clock faces on the 16th Street Mall. The fashionable D&F Department Store was the crown jewel of the Denver skyline for many years until it fell into ruin after the 1950’s when May Company gained ownership and closed the store. All that remains of the D&F flagship store is its grand tower that has become one of the most character defining elements of the Denver skyline.
This will be an opportunity for young professionals to explore one of Denver’s most visible yet hidden icons. It is a once in a lifetime chance to drink wine behind the clock faces, listen to music on the observation deck and see the top of the tower in the Crow’s Nest. We invite you and your friends to the most exciting happy hour of the year!
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Victorian Unmentionables at the Molly Brown House Museum
What did they wear under there? Victorians were known for elaborate fashions, and women especially wore many layers of clothing. Come see the elaborate underwear of a century ago, on display at the MBHM beginning January 21, 2009.
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Preservation News
It has been a sleepy month for preservation news, but we have an update on an issue near and dear to our hearts and to all those concerned with maintaining the integrity of architect I.M. Pei's iconic 16th Street Mall.
In several recent Preservation Alerts, we have expressed our continuing concern of the future of the 16th Street Mall and RTD’s public statements about potentially replacing all or a portion of the granite pavers with other material to address ongoing maintenance issues.
Fortunately, however, since those initial statements by RTD, the working group with jurisdiction over the Mall, comprised of RTD, the City and County of Denver, and the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, has publically indicated that it intends to look for solutions that will, “wherever feasible,” protect the original Mall materials and design. The group recently engaged a consulting team composed of Matrix Design Group and EDAW to evaluate possibilities aimed toward this end. We applaud this initiative and congratulate all concerned on this shift in approach and focus.
Historic Denver, Inc. is working as part of this study group in an effort to assure that whatever technical solutions are selected are consistent with the Urban Land Institute recommendation that any changes to the Mall be made “cautiously and with full respect for the original design” so that future Denver residents and visitors will be able to enjoy and appreciate this public design treasure for many generations to come.
We will keep you apprised as this technical consulting process, which is on a relatively fast-paced five-month schedule, progresses.
