Will the Beth Eden Baptist Church Be Denver`s

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Spring 2014
The Beth Eden Baptist Church in the West Highland neighborhood, as it appeared before the demolition of the later additions
Will the Beth Eden Baptist Church Be Denver’s Next Landmark?
Becca Dierschow, Preservation Programs Assistant
The Beth Eden Baptist Church in the West Highland neighborhood is once again the
epicenter of community interest. The fate of this church has been in limbo since it was
sold in 2007, and particularly since the adoption of the new zoning code in 2010, which
enflamed controversy over the level of appropriate development for the site. Historic Denver
began monitoring the site more closely in 2011 when development plans were announced,
but as the plans at that time included retaining the most significant portion of the church
complex, the organization did not get further involved. However, circumstances changed in
recent months, when an application for Non-Historic Status on the remaining section of
the Beth Eden Baptist Church created an imminent threat of demolition, which became the
impetus for immediate preservation action.
The Beth Eden Baptist Church is a Tudor Revival style building, situated between the
historic Highland Square commercial district, and the historic residential neighborhood
of West Highland. It is a block from one of Denver’s newest historic districts—the Allen
M. Ghost Historic District, as well as the Wolff Place Historic District. The sole surviving
building on the site was built by the congregation in 1931, but Beth Eden has occupied the
site since 1892—when West Highland was at the western edge of Denver. Beth Eden was
originally a mission church, founded by the First Baptist Church of Denver. During the late
19th century, America went through a period of grassroots religious revival. Denominations
such as the Baptists and Methodists sponsored local revival meetings in ad hoc spaces—
often large tents set up on the edge of town. Congregations also founded small mission
churches in areas of the city to reach out to a wider population. This missionary zeal was
not limited to domestic missions—many congregations also sponsored foreign missionaries
around the globe. Simultaneously, around the turn of the 20th century, the impact the
Industrial Revolution had on all levels of society became readily apparent. As rural workers
flooded into cities in search of factory jobs, America’s urban centers became replete with
overcrowded tenements, lacking even the most basic necessities and social services. The
religious impulse that had manifested in tent revivals and foreign missions, turned inward
to the tenements and city streets, providing the indigent with services and support. Preachers
of the Social Gospel argued that “neighbor love can only come from a neighbor.” In order
to alleviate the suffering in city slums and promote good behavior, activists needed to be
present in those areas of town. Although West Highland was far from disreputable, the
missionary zeal which founded organizations such as the Salvation Army also encouraged
the establishment of small missionary churches across cities, providing urban citizens with
local parish churches and a chance to enjoy communal fellowship.
Beth Eden was founded in the midst of this revival movement. The Reverend Charles H.
Walker founded Beth Eden, along with three other Baptist mission churches in the area. Rev.
Walker presided over Beth Eden for seven years and contributed to the church until his death
in 1930. In just a few short years, Beth Eden transformed from a mission church supported
by non-residents, to a vibrant, community supported neighborhood church, thus achieving
the goal of Baptist missionaries found across America and around the world at the turn of
the century. The congregation grew steadily, outgrowing its original sanctuary in the 1920s.
Two permits from the Denver Building Permits Files show that the church erected temporary
tents outside to hold the large number of parishioners. In 1930, Denver architect William
N. Bowman designed the new Tudor Revival style building, which left room for future
expansion. With over 1200 hours of labor freely donated by members of the congregation,
the new church building opened in 1931. Beth Eden is the only documented church in the
Tudor Revival style in Denver and the only church done in this style by William Bowman.
The church continued to expand during the first half of the 20th century. New additions were
added to the Bowman designed sanctuary in 1941-2 and 1951. The church embraced the
charismatic evangelicalism prevalent in the 1930s and 40s, and flourished under Rev. Sam
continued on page 7
Denver, CO
Permit No. 756
Historic Denver, Inc.
1420 Ogden Street
Denver, CO 80218
PAID
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
Historic Denver News
FROM THE
DIRECTOR
Photo: Havey Productions
Lately the word “authenticity” has
come up frequently around our office.
How do you measure it? When is it
lost? What is its value? How do we as
preservationists express its importance?
A dictionary definition of the word is
something: “real or genuine, not copied or
false, true and accurate, or made to be or
look just like an original.” That definition
seems to cover all manner of sins, and
includes ample room for interpretation.
Yet understanding what authenticity is,
why it is so significant, and how it impacts
our built environment, is actually at the
center of how Historic Denver helps shape
a stronger, more vibrant community.
Authenticity has always been a tenet
of the preservation movement, but its
definition has changed and evolved over
time, especially as the movement grew
to include adaptive reuse as a significant
preservation strategy. Preservationists
now see authenticity as a spectrum, not
as a black or white issue. “Authentic”
preservation projects can range from
the careful preservation and restoration
activity that takes place at a Molly Brown
House Museum, all the way to the reuse
of older buildings completed outside
traditional preservation processes.
Historic Denver’s own Preservation
Program Assistant Becca Dierschow
provided some insight into the term in
research she did for her master’s thesis,
completed in 2012.
She explained
that, for the most part, our current
understanding of authenticity hopes to
articulate and conserve the “spirit” of
a building. The original definition of
authenticity, however, as laid out by world
heritage organizations in the 1960s, was
limited only to the physical attributes
and condition of a structure. By the
1990s preservationists, known as heritage
conservationists outside the US, charted a
new path, validating what has now become
accepted practice, that “authenticity can
only be assessed within a larger context…
and different aspects of the same site
may have different levels of authenticity.”
This updated definition, as articulated by
the International Council on Monuments
and Sites (which advises UNESCO on
World Heritage Sites), stresses that while
the information sources guiding potential
conservation efforts must be ‘credible
and truthful,’ the definition of what is
considered authentic in a site has widened
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Historic Denver Inc.
to include ‘tradition and technique’ and
‘spirit and feeling’.
While still open to interpretation, this
is the definition of authenticity applied by
Historic Denver in practice, a definition
that honors the physical qualities of a
structure, from materiality to construction
technique, while also recognizing the
importance of context and story, or
“spirit,” of a historic building. A balance,
therefore, is often required to achieve a
successful outcome, one that retains an
authentic sense of the structure and its
history, while respecting that buildings
must often change and adapt to survive.
But with such a context-based, flexible
definition of authenticity, is there a “litmus
test” to determine a project’s authenticity?
The challenge of defining and
determining authenticity came to a head in
February as Historic Denver grappled with
a change of plans for an early 20th century
commercial building on south Pearl Street.
The building was not designated, but had
previously been posted by the City as
eligible for designation. In late 2012 we
negotiated with the building owner, who
initially intended to demolish nearly the
entire structure. Through constructive
dialogue we came to an understanding
that the owner could still achieve his
goals while also preserving more than
¾ of the front façade, which is the only
publicly visible facade. While compromise
is never perfect, everyone felt that we’d
achieved a positive outcome for the
building, the business, the neighborhood,
and the historic character of the street car
shopping district.
However, in early 2014 the owner
contacted Historic Denver to indicate
that the method being used to retain
the agreed upon portions of the
facade was not working, and inquired
whether we’d be comfortable instead
with a strategy of deconstructing, and
later reconstructing, the wall with a
few modifications to column locations,
window locations and other details. Enter
the authenticity question — would the
building still be “the building,” even if
none of its original construction remained?
We struggled with this question, but
ultimately determined that the answer was
no. So while the owner is proceeding with
the reconstruction plan, Historic Denver
withdrew its endorsement of the project.
As we debated this unanticipated
issue, it became clear that there was
no hard and fast rule for authenticity,
no formula or percentage that could be
applied to give us the answer, because
the answer varies building by building.
What works in one context, or for one
building, may not work in another. Even
with a broad definition, authenticity is still
more of a feeling than an attribute. We
“know it when we see it” but we have to
recognize its fluid nature, and do our best
to retain it and honor it, because when we
do, projects and communities flourish.
Annie Levinsky
Executive Director
Historic Denver, Inc.
Historic Denver, Inc.
1420 Ogden Street
Denver, CO 80218
303.534.5288
www.historicdenver.org
Board of Trustees
Chair: Vice Chair: Treasurer: Karen Brody
Dennis Humphries
Mira Fine
Elaine Asarch
Bob Bassett
Paul Books
Georgianna Contiguglia
Mike Coughlin
Mark Davidson
Steve Ekman
Jim Hatfield
Tom Lorz
Carla McConnell
Casey Miller
Chris Murata
Richard Murray
Bob Musgraves
Kaydee Smith Myers
Larry Nelson
Jackie Noble
Jonathan Pray
Judi Roach-Tointon
Kendra Sandoval
Bob Sarlo
Taylor Swallow
Bill Wenk
Ian Wolfe
HD Central Office
Executive Director Annie Levinsky x1
Outreach Coordinator
Sophie Bieluczyk x5
Director of Preservation Programs
John Olson x4
Manager of Discover Denver
Jessica Ugarte x3
Preservation Programs Assistant
Becca Dierschow x6
Development Associate Sarah Starke x7
Preservation Advice
and Referrals
A Program of Historic Denver 303.534.5288 x 6
Molly Brown
House Museum
1340 Pennsylvania St.
Denver, CO 80203
303.832.4092
www.mollybrown.org
Director of Operations Andrea Malcomb x15
Director of Education Jamie Melissa Wilms x17
Curator of Collections Nicole Roush x12
Volunteer and Event Coordinator
Katie Anderson x16
Historic ProPerties deserve an exPert
Historic Denver News
Managing Editor
Becca Dierschow
Graphic Design
Printing
Mailhouse
303.534.5288 x6
Edgellworks
Southeast Denver Graphics
Direct Mail Concepts
Historic Denver News welcomes your letters,
contents of which may be edited for length and
clarity. Please include your name, address and
telephone number in correspondence to:
Editor, Historic Denver News,
1420 Ogden Street, Denver, CO 80218
cAseY MiLLer
DENVER’S HISTORIC HOME EXPERT
Successfully Selling Denver’s Historic Homes
Pictured Above: The Richthofen Castle in Montclair, Sold by Casey in 2012.
Casey Miller 720.201.2755
casey.miller@sothebysrealty.com
CaseyMillerProperties.com
spring
2014
PRESERVATION
BRIEFS
Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher
Mansion
By John Olson, Director of Preservation Programs
Historic Denver recently had the privilege to enter into an agreement with the
Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund (GRPF) to manage the second phase of a project
which will assist in the rehabilitation of the grand wall and fence around the official
grounds. This comes on the heels of an already successful grant received from the State
Historical Fund for the first phase of the project along 8th Avenue. The second phase, also
largely funded by the State Historical Fund, will specifically rehabilitate approximately
100 feet of the wall and fence on the northwest side of the property along Logan Street.
It will also address water leaks into the basement of the mansion now occurring through
the east entry porch and the adjoining delivery chute.
The Governor’s Residence is one of Denver’s most storied mansions. Walter Scott
Cheesman, a prominent Denver pioneer and businessman, began planning the mansion
with his daughter, Gladys, in 1907 but died before the designs could be completed.
Gladys and her mother proceeded with the plans to construct the home atop Denver’s
Logan Hill and the result was a Neo-Colonial/Georgian Revival masterpiece in 1908.
From outside the original wrought iron fence, citizens marveled at the mansion’s west
portico with its two-story Roman Ionic colonnade, the widow’s walk, and the elegant
arched windows. Mrs. Cheesman lived in the home until her death in 1923 when it
was sold to Claude Boettcher, prominent businessman and son of pioneer and family
patriarch Charles Boettcher. He and his wife, Edna, lived in the home until the late
1950s, hosting many elaborate parties and collecting antiques from around the world.
One of their most prominent finds was a Waterford cut crystal chandelier that hung
in the White House ballroom in 1876 when President Grant presided over America’s
centennial celebration (and Colorado’s admission to the Union). After the Boettchers’
deaths, their family foundation donated the home to the State of Colorado to serve as
the Governor’s Residence. Governor Stephen McNichols gratefully accepted the mansion
on behalf of the state.
Historic Denver is currently working with Anderson Hallas Architects as they complete
construction documents for the rehabilitation work on the wall, fence, east porch, and
delivery chute. Anderson Hallas Architects also worked on the first phase of this project.
Once construction documents are completed and approved by the State Historical Fund,
we will begin a bidding process for the physical work. Because of the excavation necessary
during the course of this project, we will also contract with an archaeologist to be present
during all digging activities in the event that artifacts are discovered.
Historic Denver will update you as this worthwhile project progresses as we are
extremely proud to be associated in repairing and protecting one of Colorado’s most
prominent homes. =
Church of the Holy Redeemer
By John Olson, Director of Preservation Programs
Historic Denver is in the thick of construction, supported in large part by a State
Historical Fund Grant, at the Church of the Holy Redeemer (formerly St. Stephen’s
Episcopal Church). The church is located at the southeast corner of 26th Avenue and
Williams Street, and needed repairs to its exterior sandstone as well as added structural
stability for its sacristy walls. The Gothic Revival church, designed by the prominent
Denver architectural firm of William E. Fisher and Arthur A. Fisher, has had its walls
near the alter crack and separate over time while its exterior sandstone detailing has been
melting away with every new rainstorm. Work currently taking place is addressing both
of these issues.
The structural stability of the main sanctuary walls of the 1910 building is excellent.
One of the reasons for this is because of tie rods installed at regular intervals along the
length of the aisle to stabilize the walls and resist the natural tendency of these walls to
want to separate away and down due to pressure from the roof. The area of the sacristy
near the altar, however, did not benefit from any tie rods stabilizing the walls. The absence
of tie rods was done with intent in the original design to separate this area, stylistically,
from the rest of the sanctuary and to allow for clear sightlines toward the altar.
A possible solution was initially proposed that would rectify the stability of the
sacristy walls by adding new tie rods at regular intervals along this section of the church.
But the church did not want to proceed with this plan due to a valued artistic addition
added to the church in 1938 and located on the east wall behind the altar. This addition
is the famed and well preserved mural completed by local artist, Louise Emerson
Rönnebeck. The addition of tie rods may have interfered with the sightlines to this grand
mural and thus other solutions were examined to solve the structural problem. As was
mentioned in the last update to this project, steel beams were determined to be a solution
and were installed along the length of both walls to stiffen the sacristy walls and provide
adequate support, thus keeping clear the sightlines from congregation to mural.
The installation was laborious. First, to gain access to the area of the walls where
the steel beams needed to be installed, a lower wood ceiling had to be partly removed.
It was initially thought that this ceiling was purely decorative, but it was discovered to
also be structural. This meant that the ceiling could not be completely removed to allow
access for the steel and what was removed had to be braced. The steel, in turn, had to be
modified from one piece units into two in order to gain access behind the wood ceiling
and new calculations for the steel connections had to be determined. Finally, the process
of bringing the steel into the church was truly back breaking work. Because of the layout
of the church and where it had to be installed, the only method available to transport the
steel from the truck into the church was on the backs of the contractors. It took seven
men to transport each of the four sections into place.
The hard work has had its rewards and the results have protected both the valued
mural and the stability of the sacristy walls. Again, we thank TC2 Construction, JVA
Consulting Engineers, and SlaterPaull Architects for their expertise in determining and
executing the solutions.
We are also happy to announce that the long awaited exterior work on the sandstone
details has begun. Premier Specialty Contractors was selected for the masonry work and
began their mobilization and mock-ups (examples of sandstone repair for proper stone
and mortar color/consistency) during the second week of April. The constant exposure
on the south and west elevations to wind and weather has resulted in severe stone
deterioration. Each storm produces pieces of stone found at the entry and courtyard of
the church from both high and low on the elevations. These elevations are the public face
of the building to the community. When Easter rolls around, less than two weeks away
at the writing of this article, the congregation (which has been meeting in the neighboring
fellowship hall while work was done on the sacristy walls) will be able to walk past the
exciting work being done on the exterior and finally marvel at the fine work already
completed near the altar. =
Historic Denver Inc.
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Historic Denver News
All in the Family:
A New Generation
Invests in an Old
Neighborhood
The Villa Park House, built by Judge Hiram Bond, later the Villa Park Hotel. The house has been demolished and the approximate site is now adjacent to Sanchez
Park. Photo Courtesy of the Denver Public Library.
Becca Dierschow, Preservation Programs Assistant
When Tyler Gorrell and his father first viewed a dilapidated 1889 Victorian home in
the Villa Park neighborhood, there wasn’t much to see. Stucco obscured the porch and
exterior brick while a dropped ceiling covered up the interior trim and decapitated the
original windows at the arch. What he could see was pink — a violent, eye-searing shade
of pink. The kitchen walls, the door panels throughout the house — all pink. And yet, the
house was exactly what he wanted. After watching his father renovate historic homes as
a child, Tyler had a good idea of the challenges to come. But this home in the quiet Villa
Park neighborhood was the perfect project for him; it was something to do when he isn’t
working at FedEx, and would be a good place to follow a dream, and his dad’s footsteps,
and take on his first historic home renovation. Villa Park, nestled between 6th Avenue
and Colfax Avenue, Federal and Sheridan Boulevards, is one of Denver’s most overlooked
The evidence of earlier renovations still remain on Tyler Gorrell’s new home in Villa Park.
neighborhoods, but its early developers dreamed that one day it would become the most
prominent area in Denver — an idyllic suburb for Denver’s elite, with winding streets,
large homes and a parkway system designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted. Instead, a lack of
connectivity prevented Villa Park and its sister neighborhood Barnum from thriving until
well after the turn of the century.
The area was originally purchased by a group of developers in 1871, but they quickly
sold it on to Judge Hiram Bond in 1873. Bond used the large tract of land as a cattle yard.
Bond did not develop or plat the land, though he did build a grand home at 12th and
Grove. In 1876, traveling circus mogul P.T. Barnum bought a large share of the land from
Judge Bond and in 1878 he acquired the rest. Barnum’s daughter Helen lived in Denver
and he would occasionally come out to visit her and her husband, William Buchtel (older
brother to Colorado Governor Henry Buchtel). Local legend has it that Barnum intended
to winter his circus on the sparsely developed land, but there is no historical evidence
to verify this story. It quickly became apparent to the largely absentee Barnum that he
had made a poor investment. Several letters to his agents in Denver make it plain that he
felt “swindled” by the deal and was now stuck with land that was “wholly unsellable.”
After unsuccessfully trying to cut his losses, he gave the land to his daughter. Helen and
her husband William moved in to Judge Bond’s vacant home, which at that time stood
isolated on Denver’s western edge.
In the end, Helen Barnum Buchtel did more for the neighborhoods of Villa Park and
Barnum than any of the previous developers. She sold the lots slowly, not looking for a
quick return on a costly investment. The area, however, remained highly inaccessible. In
1890, she paid $25,000 to help bring the cable car to the neighborhood, which connected
residents to the rest of Denver. By 1900, Villa Park was still sparsely populated—there
were only 55 single-unit dwellings in the area and 40 students enrolled at the high school.
Between 1900 and 1950, Villa Park slowly added more single-family homes, much in line
with the rest of Denver’s development. After 1950, multi-family housing units started to
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Historic Denver Inc.
spring up around Villa Park as Denver’s population continued to swell. When 6th Avenue
was expanded into US Highway 6 in the 1960s, it transformed the relationship between
Villa Park and its sister neighborhoods Barnum and Barnum West to the south. 6th
Avenue now serves as an indelible boundary between the two. Driving though the area
today, you would never know that the neighborhoods were once contiguous. While Villa
Park is now a stable community with large areas of open space to the north and houses
on every street, it never achieved the success its earlier investors desired. It remained
challenged by geography, economics, and infrastructure.
Today, Villa Park is experiencing the first influx of reinvestment in decades. Just as
Helen’s enticement of the cable car helped Villa Park thrive, now RTD’s west light rail
line, opened in 2013, is breathing new life into this sleepy neighborhood. People now
move into the area looking for space for their families and a quick connection to Denver
and beyond.
These same forces drew Tyler Gorrell, and one day in late March, we checked in
with him at his new home in Villa Park. Nearly six months after he first saw the place,
it is completely transformed. The pink is gone, as is the drop ceiling. The stucco is on its
way out, too. The Betty Boop stickers on the upstairs windows still remain for now, a
flirtatious reminder of the home’s past life. After purchasing the house in October 2013,
Tyler spent the winter attending to critical needs—the southern bay window was being
held up by a stack of wood and needed new masonry and mortar to be structurally
sound. Boarding up windows and doors kept the weather out while he turned his
attention inside. After removing seven layers of past floors and subfloors, Tyler was
able to smooth down the inch and a half crown which had developed over the last 100
years. He’s rearranged the living space to open up the kitchen, and will properly convert
the attic into two additional bedrooms. The materials he’ll be using have the benefit of
modern technology but the aesthetics of past fashion. The bathroom will include circular
tile flooring instead of the traditional hexagon tiles. Water-tight, simulated wood flooring
in the laundry room instead of hardwood will help prevent against water damage and
costly accidents. But the house will still retain its historic feel, with many architectural
details being restored: an oak staircase, the transom in the front door, and the arches
above the windows.
Tyler, like Helen Barnum before him, was inspired by a family connection. His father,
Terry, is an attorney with Gorrell, Giles, and Gollata, and previously served as the Chair
of Historic Denver’s Board of Trustees. He got his start in Denver renovating historic
homes, particularly in San Rafael, where he was instrumental in the creation of the San
Rafael National Register Historic District in 1986. Looking for a historic home of his
own to rehabilitate, Tyler and his father hunted together. The Villa Park neighborhood
was attractive—centrally located, friendly, and cheap – much as San Rafael had been a
generation earlier. The house that Tyler eventually bought had previously been under
contract but when Gorrells were in the neighborhood house hunting, the contract fell
through, leaving the house a perfect match for Tyler’s ambitions.
Tyler is representative of the next generation of preservationists. In a town like
Denver, where development is booming, historic properties are often out of reach of
young people looking to buy their first home. But neighborhoods that have previously
been overlooked—such as Villa Park, Sun Valley, Globeville and Elyria-Swansea—are
full of historic homes that, for the most part, have only suffered various levels of benign
neglect. While developers focus their attentions on “hot” neighborhoods like Highland,
Washington Park, or Congress Park, it is still possible to own and renovate historic
homes in these “first-ring” suburbs.
For historic homes which are in historic districts or are individually landmarked,
there are number of state and federal tax credits which help cover the costs of
rehabilitation and preservation work. These tax credits encourage people to care for their
historic homes, but they also help make historic homes habitable by modern standards.
Mechanical upgrades such as energy efficient water heaters and furnaces will ensure that
these homes can be used for generations to come. For the thousands of historic homes
in Denver which are not historically designated or in a historic district, it is up to this
new generation to meld old and new, to spruce up sagging houses, to breathe new life
into tired neighborhoods. It may be some time before Tyler puts the finishing touches on
his new house. But when he does, it will ensure that this Victorian home will endure for
another 100 years.
No word, however, on if the Betty Boop stickers will remain. =
spring
2014
{ Introducing }
Photo: Paul Brokering
Sophie Bieluczyk, Tour Program Director
Historic Denver, Inc. will be launching Historic Denver Tours this July!
This walking tour program is intended to raise awareness about Denver’s
built environment, engage new audiences with our local heritage, and inspire
residents and visitors to love our city.
In our pilot year we will be conducting regular Historic Denver Tours
in Lower Downtown Denver. This architecture-focused tour will provide
attendees with an introduction into Denver’s rise as the “Queen City of the
Plains.” Among other themes, the tour will focus on the railroad’s influence
on industry in Denver, the original warehouse district, and adaptive reuse of
historic structures.
Most exciting, all Historic Denver Tours will be led by our excellentlytrained, volunteer docents! These volunteer docents have varied backgrounds
but all share a love of everything that makes Denver great. The docents are
currently enrolled in a five-day training program that will make them experts
in all things Denver.
The LoDo Historic Denver Tour will be offered from July to October
and will begin and end at the newly rehabilitated Denver Union Station. The
tours will be offered Fridays at 1:00 p.m., and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and
1:00 p.m. The tour will cover about one mile and last 75 minutes.
Tickets for Historic Denver Tours will cost $15 for the general public
and $12 for members of Historic Denver, Inc. Tickets will be sold at the
VISIT DENVER center on the 16th Street Mall, and at the Molly Brown
House Museum Store. Tickets can also be purchased in advance online, and
will be available for walk-ups on a first-come, first-serve basis.
We’re excited to launch this new program which will inspire new
audiences to love the places that make our city unique. We’ll keep you
updated about Historic Denver Tours through Historic Denver News, our
e-newsletter, our facebook page and website.=
Denver Union Station Great Hall Gala
Historic Denver, Inc. has been selected as a charity partner for the Gala Opening of the historic Denver Union Station! The only way
in to the social event of the summer is to purchase a ticket from Historic Denver, Inc. or another charity partner.
This historic event will take place on the evening of Friday, July 11 and feature fabulous cocktails and fantastic entertainment,
including a performance by First Lady Mary Louise Lee, ensembles from the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and live music entertainment
from a surprise headline act. This black tie event will also feature an open bar and complimentary valet service.
Delectable bites will be provided by these local, chef-driven restaurants:
The Kitchen Next Door • Snooze • Stoic & Genuine • Mercantile Dining and Provisions
Milkbox Ice Creamery • Eatmore Burgers & Brats • Epicurean Culinary Group
Once Union Station is open, it will be open 24 hours per day, and private events of this magnitude will not be seen again. Tickets
for the Opening Celebration Gala are $1,000 per person and 100% of the ticket revenue will go to Historic Denver, Inc. Tickets will sell
out soon, if you are interested please contact Sophie at 303-534-5288 ext. 5.=
Serving Buyers & Sellers Of Yesteryear
Homes Since 1985
NOSTALGIC HOMES Loves Vintage Homes &
Neighborhoods Like You Do ~ Our Focus Has
Been Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together For
The Benefit Of Loving, Living & Appreciating
A Vintage Home Since 1985.
Windows to the Future
May 9th 2014, 7-9 pm
The Capitol Hill United Neighbors (CHUN) is hosting a “Windows to the Future!”
Dessert and Champagne Reception at the historic Tears-McFarlane House in the Capitol
Hill neighborhood. CHUN has received a challenge grant from the State Historical Fund,
part of History Colorado, to repair the windows in CHUN’s home, the Tears-McFarlane
House, a Denver Historic Landmark and a home listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. With additional help from the Gates Family Foundation, CHUN will now
need to raise only $3,000 to meet their fund-raising goal.
Support this great cause and enjoy fabulous desserts in a beautiful setting while you
do so! The restoration of the windows in this wonderful Colonial Revival Mansion will
help protect its continued legacy for another 115 years. Tickets are $20 per person. Please
RSVP by May 1, 2014:
by phone: 303-830-1651
in person: 1290 Williams (9 am to 5 pm)
or purchase tickets online beginning April 10th at chundenver.org
If You Are Interested In
Purchasing Or Selling A Vintage Home,
Contact NOSTALGIC HOMES.
N OSTALGIC
H O MES
www.
N OSTALGIC H OMES .com • (303) 455.5535
Historic Denver Inc.
5
Historic Denver News
Historic Denver has a seat at the Stock Show Table
Last fall Historic Denver
was invited to participate in a
new committee, the National
Western Center Advisory
Committee (NWCAC). The
group meets monthly to
discuss issues related to the
evolving site of the National
Western Stock Show, and how
it will adapt and change as a
result of external forces and
internal need. The group was
convened by a partnership of
five lead institutions with a particular interest in the site. The five partners, referred to
as the MOU Partners, include the National Western itself, the City of Denver, History
Colorado, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Colorado State University.
Each of these partners has a vested interest in the future of the site, and a willingness to
dedicate time and energy to reimagining it in a new century.
Along with the MOU partners, Historic Denver joins more than two dozen other
committee members, including representatives of the neighboring communities, Swansea,
Elyria and Globeville, as well as other organizations involved in the area, from Habitat
to Humanity, Riverside Cemetery, and the Denver Cutthroats.
In March 2014, the City of Denver, through the North Denver Cornerstone
Collaborative, selected Parsons Brinckerhoff to serve as the Master Plan consultant.
Parsons Brinckerhoff will attend all NWCAC meetings so the committee can be actively
engaged in the planning process. In large part because Historic Denver and History
Colorado are both at the table, historic preservation was included as an evaluation
criteria in the selection of a master planning firm, and Parsons Brinckerhoff has partnered
with Anderson Hallas Architects to provide preservation expertise as part of the effort.
Anderson Hallas has extensive preservation credentials and has worked on projects
across the state.
Additionally, the city has contracted with SlaterPaull Architects to compile
existing documentation regarding historic structures and site attributes, as several past
transportation studies have included an exploration of the area. This information will be
a valuable resource to the master planners and the NWCAC as the group grapples with
questions about the most important aspects of the site.
At the February NWCAC meeting, Historic Denver Executive Director Annie Levinsky
made a presentation on the historic buildings associated with the Stock Show site, and their
potential eligibility as landmarks or as part of a historic district, as well as other tools and
incentives that can contribute to ensuring an authentic identity for a new National Western
Center. Historic Denver will continue to advocate for the preservation of structures and
character at the site, and appreciates the opportunity to have a seat at the table as decisions
are made regarding one of the city’s most important cultural assets.=
Discover Denver Update
By: Jessica Aurora Ugarte, Program Director
The Discover Denver project is pleased to report that we are on-track to finish up the
Pilot Program by late summer 2014. This pilot survey has been an essential step towards
being able to fully understand the needs of a large-scale, citywide survey effort in Denver.
Hopefully, what we are learning and figuring out may also be beneficial for other cities
and towns that may be thinking of starting a survey of their own. In addition to evaluating
how the available technology could work for Denver’s needs, the pilot has allowed us to
show that the power of community and volunteer support can be leveraged to achieve
great things. We couldn’t have made this much progress without all of our dedicated and
talented Volunteer Corps members and their generous donations of time, talents, and
feedback. And because of that, I’d like to publically thank them for their efforts!
As you can see from the map, we have now surveyed approximately two thirds
of the properties in our Harvey Park Pilot area. We’ve heard from original owners
who remember when sections of the community still looked more like a ranch than a
neighborhood, from residents telling us about their experiences growing up there during
the 1960s and 70s, and even brand-new homeowners who are thrilled to be living in a
hip and cute Cliff May designed, California-style modern home. And now that we have
a sizable section of survey done in this area, we have started working with our partners
at the City of Denver’s Community Planning and Development Department to figure out
how best we can share the results of the survey with the public. Be sure to stay tuned to
find out when the Discover Denver section of Denver’s Open Data Catalog goes live!
This winter also saw us beginning survey in our 1920s Small Homes pilot areas. We
first started surveying in Park Hill, which was a fun and challenging change from the
6
Historic Denver Inc.
mid-century ranch and split-level homes that we had been focusing on in Harvey Park.
Later on in March, while still working in Park Hill, we also started survey in the Harkness
Heights and Grandview neighborhoods. It is true that there are many similarities between
the two geographic locations of the 1920s Small Homes areas, but they are also very
different from one another which will likely lead to some very interesting results once all
of the data has been gathered.
By the time this article is printed, we will also have begun survey in the final pilot area,
the Embedded Streetcar Commercial Districts. This pilot area will focus on the groupings
of commercial structures which were built along the stops of Denver’s extensive streetcar
system. We call these “embedded commercial” because they are set within primarily
residential areas, providing needed services to the neighboring population. Often times
you can live for years in a city and never see these embedded commercial areas, only
stumbling upon them when you take a wrong turn or meet a friend for lunch in their
neighborhood.
All of this great forward progress is especially important as Discover Denver was
recently awarded a new State Historical Fund grant to continue the project past the
current Pilot Phase. With this award, our successful partnership with History Colorado,
the City and County of Denver, and the many community stakeholders who have
donated their time and efforts will be able to continue to strive towards the goal of a
comprehensive citywide survey of Denver’s older built environment. You can find out
more about Discover Denver on our website, www.DiscoverDenver.CO. And if you want
to keep up-to-date with what we are up to during the week, please follow us on Facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDenverSurvey. =
spring
2014
continued from page 1
Bradford, who presided
over 1,200 congregants in
1943. Its 1951 addition
housed the pioneering
television station KFEL,
which broadcast “The
Baptist Hour” starting
in 1952. In the mid1960s, church numbers
began to decline. As with
many congregations, Beth
Eden’s numbers had ebbed
and flowed throughout
the years, and in the
post-war era, many of its
parishioners eventually
moved from Highland
and West Highland, out
to the suburbs of Wheat
Ridge and Arvada. In
1968-9, Beth Eden followed its congregation and established a larger church in Wheat
Ridge. A series of community groups and churches occupied the former Beth Eden space,
with the Redeemer Temple the latest to occupy the building when it was sold to developers
in 2007.
In preparation for potential redevelopment the owner filed Certificates of Non-Historic
Status for the two later additions to the 1931 Beth Eden Baptist Church in 2008 (now
demolished). No certificate was ever filed for the 1931 sanctuary building, as the City
indicated it was likely eligible for designation. Then, in 2010, when the new zoning code
was adopted, it became apparent that future development on the parcel at 32nd and
Lowell, along with two other adjacent parcels on Moncreiff Place and Meade Street, could
top out at five stories. This led to a lawsuit filed by a group of neighbors alleging that the
parcels were inappropriately rezoned.
In September 2013, the court ruled against the neighbors who had filed the lawsuit,
affirming the zoning, and allowing developments on these three parcels to be five stories
tall. However, as part of a settlement agreement reached between the landowner and the
plaintiffs, a covenant was to be placed on the land, which allowed a future developer
to build five stories on the Lowell (Beth Eden) parcel, while limiting the buildings on
Moncreiff Place and Meade Street to four stories. In exchange, the plaintiffs would not
oppose an application for a Certificate of Non-Historic Status for the remaining 1931
structure, paving the way for its demolition.
As a result, in February 2014, the owner of the land applied for a Certificate of NonHistoric Status on the remaining 1931 Beth Eden structure. This move came as a surprise to
many local residents and to Historic Denver, as the provisions of the settlement agreement
had not been widely shared. The parcel had not previously been granted a Certificate of
Non-Historic Status, which had reassured neighbors and Historic Denver that the historic
church would remain standing and be incorporated into a future development. All of a
sudden, the game had changed.
Historic Denver reached out to neighbors in the community to gauge their reaction
to this shift. Although Historic Denver had always supported keeping the church and
incorporating it into a future development, we realized that, especially given the contentious
zoning debate, it was important to listen to the community’s opinion. We heard resounding
feedback. The replies indicated that many neighbors wanted the church to remain. Historic
Denver also reached out to the property owner, representatives of the property owner,
and representatives of the group involved in the lawsuit, to explore whether there was an
alternative to demolition. Unfortunately, the confines of the settlement agreement limited the
ability of those parties to negotiate, leaving designation as the only path open to those in the
neighborhood who wanted to see the church saved. Historic Denver, therefore, partnered
with the Friends of West Highland Landmarks, a group of community members that had
researched the church in 2012. Together the group prepared a designation application and
submitted it to the Landmark Preservation Commission on March 4th, 2013.
On Tuesday, April 1st, the historic designation application went before the Landmark
Preservation Commission. The Commission, composed of nine architects and historians
who represent organizations such as History Colorado and the American Institute of
Architects, judges whether proposed landmarks meet specific criteria of significance in two
of three categories—history, architecture, and geography. After hearing testimony from
both the applicants and the landowner, followed by public comments from ten members
of the community (all in favor of saving the church) the Commission deliberated on the
application. They quickly agreed that Beth Eden Church was architecturally, historically,
and geographically significant. Many of the commissioners also commented on the passion
the community had for this local landmark. With eight co-applicants, ten additional
speakers, and a petition with more than 400 signatures, it was quite obvious that this
church continues to be highly significant to the community, though it no longer maintains
its original use as a religious sanctuary.
The application now proceeds to City Council. It will be read by the Land Use,
Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee in April, before moving on to the entire City
Council in May, where we hope it will be approved for landmark status.
It is perhaps surprising this church has attracted so much attention and passion.
Historic buildings are reminders of our past, shaping our present communities and giving
us a sense of identity and belonging. Beth Eden Baptist Church was built by hands that
believed in the communal value such a building could provide. Today, it stands as a
constant and reassuring presence for the West Highland neighborhood — a steady guide in
a sea of change. Its incorporation into a new development will enhance the vibrancy and
unique character of one of Denver’s beloved historic neighborhoods. =
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contact Mira J. Finé, Partner, National Director of
Tax Services at mfine@heincpa.com or 303.298.9600.
At home in Denver.
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Bob Bassett, Partner, Board Member
303.290.1603, bbassett@hollandhart.com
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Photos Courtesy of
History Colorado
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Home is where the Hart is.
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Historic Denver Inc.
7
Historic Denver News
MOLLY BROWN
HOUSE MUSEUM
“I go anywhere that I am needed.”
Margaret Brown
Margaret Tobin Brown inspires us to believe in the power of individual action and
her story demonstrates one person’s ability to effect change lasting beyond a lifetime.
Margaret Brown witnessed inequalities all around her, so rather than stand idly by she
used the power of her conviction to challenge public perceptions, create positive change,
and educate and inspire generations to make a difference in the world we share. 1914
proved to be another momentous year for Mrs. Brown; one that would test her resolve
and once again elevate her to the national stage with a Senate bid, the conflict with
Mexico, the tragedy at Ludlow, and the outbreak of World War One.
Early in 1914, Mrs. Brown was “dropping a quiet word here and there” that she
would like to run for political office. A Denver Post article in February indicated she was
interested in replacing Colorado State Representative Helen Ring Robinson. Mrs. Brown
was encouraged and supported in her 1915 candidacy by Robinson, fellow suffragette
Alva Belmont and Judge Ben Lindsey. Mrs. Brown’s first opportunity to prove her mettle
would come in April as tensions between the United State and Mexico escalated. When a
regiment of 1,000 Mexican women announced their intention to fight for their country,
Mrs. Brown offered up her personal services as a nurse and $1,000 a month to organize
and equip a group of nurses to aid in the conflict. She was also asked and agreed to head
a regiment of women soldiers from Colorado to serve on the front lines in Mexico.
“Suffrage circles were set agog yesterday by the news that Mrs. J. J.
Brown, heroine of the Titanic disaster, was on her way to Denver to
organize the martially inclined women of the state for military duty,
so that when the time comes they may be prepared to shoulder the
rifle and fight in Mexico side by side with the men.”
– Rocky Mountain News, April 20, 1914
Prior to leaving Newport, Rhode Island for Mexico however, events in Colorado
developed which Mrs. Brown believed required her urgent attention. Within the same
week she announced her intention to fight in Mexico, Mrs. Brown received a cable from
the United Garment Workers Union asking for her help in Ludlow, Colorado, in the
aftermath of a deadly strike.
Mrs. Brown immediately took the train to Denver, sending provisions and a corps of
nurses to Ludlow, while she stayed in Denver to fundraise. Mrs. Brown’s stance on Ludlow
was neutral at first; she didn’t take the side of the corporation or the workers but wanted
to help ease the suffering of the families on both sides. However, after visiting the Ludlow
site in May, she changed her political stance and no longer defended the corporation,
which, in this case, was owned by the Rockefeller family. The events at Ludlow on April
20, 1914, outraged many people. Mrs. Lafferty, the president of the Women’s Peace
Association of Denver, placed a “Call to Women” in newspapers asking them to gather at
the State Capital. They demanded Governor Elias Ammons contact President Woodrow
Wilson for federal help in stopping the violence in southern Colorado.
The women succeeded in their task when on April 28th federal troops arrived. Denver
women cried for aid to Ludlow sufferers. Helen Ring Robinson, Alma Lafferty, and other
Denver women leaders, of the Women’s Peace Committee, traveled to the Ludlow site
and observed the horrors there. On May 7, 1914, they sent a report of their findings to
Governor Ammons. They concluded, “There is no question in our minds… that the attack
on the tent colony was planned with care and executed in cold blood.”
This event became a catalyst in 1914 for Margaret Brown by elevating her political
and social justice agendas. Mrs. Brown brokered talks between the unions and
corporations and she generated international attention in support of miners’ rights as she
traveled all over the US on a speaking tour. Ludlow also became a part of her campaign
platform as Mrs. Brown made a bid for the US Senate with the support of many in both
Colorado and Newport, RI.
As 1914 was an incredibly active year for Margaret Brown, we decided that the
museum should pay homage to her social and political activities 100 years later by
dedicating all of our 2014 exhibits to her 1914 social and political efforts.
ALL WHO NEED AID
APRIL 4 – MAY 16, 2014
The Colorado Coal Field Wars of 1913-1914 proved to be one of the most violent and
deadly labor strikes in the United States. Many well-known female reformers responded
to the events at Ludlow immediately including Margaret Brown. Mrs. Brown brokered
talks between the unions and capitalists and generated international attention in support
of miners’ rights. All Who Need Aid takes an in-depth look at these female reformers
and the positive change they achieved on behalf of Colorado’s mine workers, as well the
impact these events have made on our state today. The All Who Need exhibit is a project
by students at the University of Colorado at Denver under Senior Instructor Rebecca
Hunt, Ph.D.
8
Historic Denver Inc.
A CALL TO ARMS JUNE 2 – SEPT 28, 2014
A RIGHT TO VOTE
OCT 9, 2014 – JAN 25, 2015
For many wealthy Americans, France was a second home so when war broke out
in 1914 they put their money and influence behind the war effort. Notable American
women, including Margaret Brown, became vital to the humanitarian relief efforts in
France by establishing ambulance motor pools, opening field hospitals, distributing food
and rebuilding devastated areas. The war hit closer to home for Mrs. Brown when her
son Lawrence entered service in 1917. A Call to Arms will explore both the exemplary
service of Colorado soldiers like Lawrence Brown, as well as the important role of the
American women who served in the Great War by providing humanitarian aid. Exhibit
partners include History Colorado, VFW John S. Stewart Post No.1, the Broomfield
Veterans Memorial Museum, the Traveling Historian, and the Franco-American Museum
- Chateau de Blérancourt.
1914 was also a busy year politically for Margaret Brown. Mrs. Brown was in the
midst of a bid to become US Senator for Colorado when the events of Ludlow unfolded
and when war was declared in Europe. A Right to Vote explores Margaret Brown’s active
engagement with the U.S. suffragist movement centered in Newport, Rhode Island. The
“Conference of Great Women” at the home of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont on July 25,
1914 was an important stepping stone towards the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920,
prohibiting any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of
sex. This exhibit is in collaboration with the Colorado Committee for Women’s History
and the Friends of the Auraria Library. =
Historic Denver NewsNovember • December
spring2006
2014
Volunteer and Event Coordinator ~ Katie Anderson
I began working at the Molly Brown House Museum back in 2005 in visitor services
and as a tour guide. My now husband and I had moved to Denver from Bozeman,
Montana not long before that for my graduate work. This was the perfect part-time
job as I pursued my MA. Because of the wonderful people who are involved in the
organization and the fantastic story that we get to tell every day, the Molly Brown House
Museum has a way of getting into your blood, making it hard to leave. I am now in my
second year as the volunteer and event coordinator at the museum.
I chose the week of March 10th to 14th, 2014 to highlight for A Week in the Life.
MONDAY, MARCH 10TH
It is difficult to think of March without St. Patrick’s Day immediately springing
to mind as one of the highlights. March was the perfect time to cast the spotlight on
Margaret Brown’s Irish heritage as well as exploring the lives of the Irish in Colorado at
the turn of the 20th century. To celebrate and explore both of these topics, we decided to
host a couple of new themed events: Céad Míle Fáilte Night, and The Bridgets Irish Tea.
Céad míle fáilte is Gaelic phrase meaning “a hundred thousand welcomes.” Our
goal for this event was to welcome guests into the Brown family home and, through the
stories told by the household staff and Mr. and Mrs. Brown, give them a peak into IrishAmerican life and customs around the year 1906. The performance was then followed
by entertainment on the third floor. As for the Bridgets Tea, we decided to focus on the
lives of the women who made the decadent lifestyles of the Victorians and Edwardians
possible. Many of the domestic workers at that time were Irish-Americans or recent Irish
immigrants. In fact, so many were Irish women that the entire female class of servants
became known as the Bridgets.
Planning for these events began well before March 10th, but it was within this week
that everything needed to be finalized and polished. Thankfully, we have an amazing
staff of talented and versatile volunteers who are willing to try just about anything. For
Céad Míle Fáilte Night we needed five volunteers to play Mary Mulligan the housekeeper,
Maureen the maid, Annie the cook, Harry the stable hand, Margaret Brown and J.J.
Brown. Everyone had previously been given background information they could use for
their characters and direction regarding how we wanted the overall performance to go.
They then went out and wrote their part of the script. This Monday evening, everyone got
together with what they had written to do a dry run. We were all very pleased with how
it turned out and focused on how to fine tune the performance to make it run smoother.
It was decided that we would meet early on Thursday evening to go through it one more
time before the actual performances began.
In addition to our performers, we also had two other volunteers who signed up to
help with the crafts on the third floor. We had decided that one of the crafts would be
tying Celtic knots. Monday was also when we began searching for tutorials for simple
knots and practicing how to make them. I have to say, tying those knots, even the simple
ones, is not as easy as the online videos make it look!
THURSDAY, MARCH 13TH
The morning began by finalizing the script for the Bridgets program for Saturday.
Reading about the lives of these women and their working conditions certainly make
you thankful for modern appliances and less deadly cleaning solvents. In the afternoon,
we prepared the third floor event space for the evening’s festivities, setting up tables
and arranging chairs. Before we knew it, it was time for our last practice run through
and the actual performances to begin. We were very pleased with attendance. Both
tours that evening were very nearly sold out. Guests learned about Irish immigration,
wedding customs, food traditions, Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Irish involvement
in Colorado mining, Catholicism and Margaret Brown’s involvement with the Cathedral
of the Immaculate Conception. After the tour, guests were invited to the third floor event
space for food, conversation, crafts and music.
We were very fortunate to have the three wonderfully talented musicians of Skean
Dubh (pronounced Skeen Doo) play traditional Irish music for us. They made the evening
nice and lively. Guests were up for the challenge of tying Celtic knots, and even if the
knots were not successful, they provided a nice conversation starter. All in all, the night
went very well.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14TH
Friday was dedicated to setting up for the Bridgets Teas the following day. There was
a great public response to these teas. Both sold out far in advance. In order to get ready
for the 48 attendees, the third floor event space once again needed to be straightened up
and rearranged with tables, chairs, and fresh linens. Grocery shopping is a given when
it comes to preparing for teas, and you always end up with the strangest, carbohydrateladen assortment in your cart. The many loaves of bread, boxes of cream cheese,
cucumbers , lemons and sugar, I’m sure leaves the checker wondering what on earth you
have planned. Baking is another vital component for tea preparation. What fun is a tea
if there aren’t any specially baked treats? More often than not, our volunteers take on
baking responsibilities, but in this case two other staff members and myself decided to do
it ourselves since we had a specific idea of what we wanted to do.
SATURDAY, MARCH 15TH
The third floor was festive in white, green, and gold linens. From the ceiling light
fixtures we hung shamrock decorations and on the tables were little pots filled with gold
chocolate coins. For the tea, we decided to serve items that had an Irish flair. We had
three sandwich options—cucumber cream cheese, fig and goat cheese, and cheddar and
chutney . For the desserts we served potato scones, short bread, and chocolate Guinness
cake. We also have a wonderful education intern who had studied abroad in Ireland, and
she agreed to do the program. Once all of the guests were settled and enjoying their tea,
they listened as she brought to life the stories of the female domestic servants who were
known as the Bridgets. Teas are always fun, but it easy to forget how much work they
are to set up, prepare the plates, and clean up. At the end of the day, everyone working
the teas was tired but quite pleased with how things turned out. This was certainly a busy
week but a successful one, thanks to the great volunteer help at the museum. =
WWW.REDPEAK.COM
MOLLY BROWN HOUSE MUSEUM UPCOMING SHOW
HH
istoric
istoric
DD
enver
enver
Inc
Inc
. .
9
Historic Denver News
NOTABLE
HOMES FOR SALE
Change to New
Membership Structure
Sarah Starke, Development Associate
745 Emerson
The Denver Square at 745 Emerson Street was built by Edward and Leona Wilkerson,
whose wealth came from silver mines. This stately home was designed by Frank E.
Edbrooke and completed in 1903. Edbrooke was the city’s premier architect of the time
and introduced new styles and techniques to Denver.
This grand “turn of the century” home has three bedrooms and five bathrooms. The
home, part of the East Seventh Avenue Historic District, features high ceilings, original
wood floors and pocket doors. The formal living room, foyer, formal dining room and
study feature beautiful plaster reliefs on the ceiling and walls. The home has a beautiful
front porch, multiple fireplaces and much original millwork. The kitchen has been
updated but retains the original Butler’s pantry. The house also has a gorgeous staircase,
beautiful study and a sunny, eat-in kitchen.
Listing Price: $975,000.
Julie Hummel and Gretchen Rosenberg, The Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek
juliehumm@aol.com/720-261-6711 or gar@gretchensdenver.com/303-336-0325
3656 Bryant Street - Coming Soon!
The Queen Anne-style home at 3656 Bryant Street was built in 1890 by Albert S.
Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker was a prominent citizen of the Highlands and served as mayor
three times. He was a founding member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and an
officer of the Denver Mint.
The home is a beautiful structure in the Potter Highlands Historic District and sits on
a large corner lot across the street from the grand Lumbar Baron Inn. The home has three
bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and features a formal dining room with a built-in hutch. The
home retains its original hardwood floors, dark oak woodwork and trim, and staircases.
In fact, there is a charming spiral back staircase that leads from the kitchen to the former
maid’s quarters on the second floor. All of the windows and some of the light fixtures
are original to the home. Other wonderful historic details include grand pocket doors,
original doors including detailed hinges and hardware and the original heating grates. The
home features a front porch, a lovely sunroom and large open rooms with lots of light.
Kendall Boyd, LIVE Urban Real Estate, Inc.
kendallboyd@comcast.net or 720-341-4714
10
Historic Denver Inc.
Historic Denver and the Molly Brown House Museum have enjoyed a loyal donor
base for more than forty years. Donors attend seminars and events, help with advocacy
efforts, volunteer, and provide the organization with a critical backbone of support. The
organization continues to welcome new donors each quarter, and strives to keep existing
donors engaged with the work we do.
In 2011, the organization made the decision to refer to our donors as “supporters”
instead of “members” to ensure that all contributions, no matter the size, were
acknowledged as important and welcomed. As
the organization grows in capacity and the Molly
Brown House Museum accommodates more
new visitors each year, we have now decided to
change this title back to “members.” Calling our
annual donors “members” and differentiating
between levels of support will allow us to offer
even more benefits, which we believe will in turn
If you purchase a
generate more opportunities for our donors to
actively engage in the work we do.
membership at the Associate
Current members of Historic Denver and
level ($125) or above, your
the Molly Brown House Museum will receive
the same benefits they have enjoyed in the past,
membership will also get you
with additional new benefits matching their most
recent level of support. You will be contacted
free or discounted admission
about your current level of support and your
member benefits in the upcoming months. New
and reciprocal benefits at
benefits will take effect on July 1st, 2014.
over 675 North American
For renewing and new members, we will
offer individual, dual, family, VIP associate, and
Reciprocal Museum (NARM)VIP contributor level memberships. Depending
on the level, these memberships include free
participating museums for
museum entrance for one year for a specific
number of cardholders, guest passes, passes
the year as well.
to Molly Brown House Museum or Historic
Denver Happy Hour events, a 10% discount at
the store, member prices at seminars, programs,
events, and Historic Denver walking tours,
invitations to members-only previews of new
exhibits and talks, and a Historic Denver News
subscription. If you purchase a membership at
the Associate level ($125) or above, your membership will also get you free or discounted
admission and reciprocal benefits at over 675 North American Reciprocal Museum
(NARM)-participating museums for the year as well. For more information about the
NARM program and a complete list of participating cultural institutions, visit http://
narmassociation.org/.
Historic Denver and the Molly Brown House Museum are also offering higher level
memberships as well as corporate and business sponsorships. For more information,
please call (303)534-5288 extension 7.
Beginning this summer, we will also launch exclusive member preview days for new
exhibits. Once a quarter we will host New Member Orientations, so that you can learn
how to get the most out of your new Historic Denver and Molly Brown House Museum
membership and become a better connected supporter.
Look out for more information about your membership benefits as we launch
this exciting part of Historic Denver’s new era of impact. If you have any questions
regarding this new membership program, your current level of support, or would like to
upgrade to a higher membership level, please call (303)534-5288 x 7 or email sstarke@
historicdenver.org. =
spring
Thank You
2014
To Historic Denver’s New and
Renewing Supporters
Supporters Mid-November to Mid-February 2014
Paul Aaker
Tom and Isabel Abbott
William Hoebel III and Jessica Abegg
William Alexander
Terry Amicone
Sue Anschutz-Rodgers
Eugene Baber
Stephen Bain
Dennis and Barbara Baldwin
Gordon and Gerri Baron
Thais Bastron
Susan Bateman-Jordan
Rhonda Beck
Richard and Rebecca Benes
C.F. Benoit
Ann Bermant
Judy and Richard Billings
Tim and Leanna Boers
Edward and Jean Bolle
Scott and Bonnie Boyer
Bill and Cynthia Braden
Kathleen Brooker
Sylvia Brown
Erica Byrne
James Cameron
Reta Carlson
Robert Carper
Frances Carswell
Call Cellini
Bar Chadwick and Steve Cassin
Barbara Chapman
Cathy Chapman
Nathan Church
Dene Clark
Lucy Clark
David S. Cohen
George Cole
Edith Conklin and Peter Bulkeley
Jon and Carol Connor
John and Margie Conway
James and Alisa Moore Copeland
Pamela Cornelisse
Jane Daniels
Jeff Davis
William and Katie Davis
Margaret DeKoven
Spencer T. Denison and Kara Horner
Dorothy Dever
Joanne Ditmer
Elizabeth Dominick
H. Merle and Audrey V. Dorsett
Elizabeth Caswell Dyer
Sarah Edgell
Ginny and Chuck Ennis
Jennie Epperson
Christopher Erskine
Don and Carolyn Etter
Mona and John Ferrugia
Mira Fine
Mary Jane Fischer
Fritz Fisher
Karolyn R. Forbes
Barbara Ford
David Ford
Nancy Foster
Richard Fromm and Deb Armbruster
Alan and Sally Gass
Thomas J. Giovale
Sue Giovanini
Sandra Glick
Teryl R. and Mary Beth Gorrell
Thomas Gougeon and Donna Middlebrooks
Dave Grady
Gertrude Grant
Hugh Grant and Merle Chambers
Friday Green
Joseph W. Halpern
Linda and Charles Hamlin
Amy Harmon
Deborah and Tom Hart
Duke and Pam Hartman
Jim and Marty Hartmann
Karen Harvey
Polly Hays
Jeremiah Herderich
Governor John W. Hickenlooper
Bev Hiller
Joan Holmes
Nancy and Gary Holt
Sherrill Ice
Emily Idlet
Lane and Ellen Ittelson
Judith James
Will and Marcia Johnson
Ann L. Jones
Alice and Terry Kelly
Gene Koelbel
Donna C. Kornfeld
Sarah S. Krause
Matt and Leslie Krupa
Sally Lammers
Bruce Leigh
Marie-Hélène Levine
Igor Livits
Ken Long
Stephanne MacCarter
Lois Mackay
Pamela Mahonchak
Jill Mally
Tim and Darcie Martin
James Martin
Paul Viotti and David Mash
Michael Massey
Barbara Frank and Veronica McCaffrey
Tom and Lisa McHenry
Patrick Miller
Edward and Linda Moery
Dorothea Moore
Deborah Mueller-Hruza
Kaydee Smith Myers
Phil Nash and Bob Janowski
Jeri Neff
Robert and Judi Newman
Rich Nielson
Steve Nissen
Dan and Joyce O’Donnell
Elaine Osborn
Elizabeth O’Sullivan
Barbara Padbury
Barbara and Robert Pahl
Ruth E. Parker
Pat Pascoe
Kirsten Pederson
Steven C. Perkins
Robert Peterson
Carol S. Prescott
John and Ann Prosser
Emily Przekwas
Harrison Purdy
Marilyn Quinn
Elaine Reese
Kathleen Reilly
Robert Renfro
Richard Replin
Lorinn Rhodes
John Richardson
Councilwoman Jeanne Robb
Renate Robey
Mark Rodgers
Molly O. Ross
Geoffrey Roth
Rosalee Sarell
Robert and Leslie Sarlo
Lindsey Schmitz
Josefina Schnaith
Ruth Schoening
George and Julia Secor
Ira Selkowitz
Jeanne Seydel
Tom and Laurie Simmons
Shawn Snow
Michele Sorensen
James Souby
John and Mary Steinle
Phillip Sterritt
Arianthe Stettner
John and Kristina Stowell
Vincent Szafranko
Frances Taylor
Ronald Treants
Julie C. Van Camp
Kelli Varney
John Venhoff
Jody Villecco
Kim Erickson and Barbara Vossler
Emory C. Walker
Tobi Watson
Kathleen Wells
Michael and Etta West
Steve White
Dorothy Wilson
Karen Winfield
Jim Winzenburg
Vicki Wolf
Lester and Marianne Woodward
Nancy Woodward
Donald Zeller
Historic Denver/Molly Brown
House Museum Membership
Yes! I would like to become a member at the following level:
___ Basic Senior Individual ~ $25 (65 & up)
___ Individual ~ $45; Teacher/Student ~ $35
___ Dual ~ $65; Senior ~ $55
___ Family ~ $80; Senior ~ $70
___ VIP Associate ~ $125; Senior ~ $110
___ VIP Contributor ~ $250; Senior ~ $225
___ I would also like to make an additional donation of $___________.
Name(s) to appear on membership card(s): __________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________
City____________________________ State ___________ Zip ___________________
Phone __________________________________________________________________
Email __________________________________________________________________
___ Check Credit Card: ___ Visa ___ MasterCard ___ AmEx ___ Discover
Card Number: _________________________________ Exp. Date: _______________
Verification #: _________________________________ Total: $ _________________
Signature: ______________________________________________________________
Please make all checks payable to Historic Denver, Inc.
Historic Denver is a 501c3 organization and a portion of your contribution is
tax deductible.
Please visit historicdenver.org/support to learn about the benefits at each
membership level.
In Memoriam
In February the Historic Denver family lost long-time Molly Brown House
Museum volunteer Mary Thompson. Mary began volunteering in 1998, and it
is difficult to think of the volunteer program without her. She was a vital part of
the volunteer community and led the docent training program for many years,
providing new volunteers with the wealth of her history knowledge. Mary was
also a tremendous researcher and was always willing to help the museum in that
respect. She helped develop educational programming for the Museum, including
the award-winning “The Bridgets: Servants Lives in Colorado,” a living-history
play exploring the lives of the Brown’s servants.
There were so many interests that she held and so many projects she wanted to
do that even if she had lived to be 100, she never would have finished everything
that she wanted. With Mary’s passing, we have lost a close friend, a mentor, and
a passionate advocate, but her generous spirit, her passion for life, and her legacy
will not be forgotten. =
Historic Denver Inc.
11
Historic Denver News
Winter 2012
CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
To purchase tickets to any Historic Denver or Molly Brown House Museum
Events visit: store.historicdenver.org or call 303-534-5288 x5.
May 10 and 11
August 21
MOTHER’S DAY TEA
11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm
Treat your Mom to tea and create
wonderful new memories together.
After conversing over hot tea, savory
sandwiches, decadent desserts and a
tour of the museum, Mom can shop
in the Museum Store and pick out her
own unique gift! $24 adult, $18 children 6 to 12.
May 22
COLORADO CORKS &
CUISINE — FOUR MILE
HISTORIC PARK
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Colorado Corks & Cuisine is Denver’s
annual food and wine tasting event
benefiting Four Mile Historic Park.
Showcasing local caterers, distilleries,
breweries, and wineries, welcome summertime while sampling the fare and
raising funds for preservation of the
Four Mile House Museum and classroom field trip scholarships for economically disadvantaged youth in Denver
Metro schools to attend Four Mile
Historic Park’s many hands-on educational programs throughout the year.
June 21
RAISE THE FLAG TEA
11:00 am, 1:00 pm
Margaret Brown welcomes you for tea
and enlists your aid in relief efforts
for the Great War. Hear Mrs. Brown
recount her efforts with the Red Cross
in France and work with wounded veterans here in the U.S. as you sip tea and
nibble on sandwiches. Museum Tour
included. $20 per person.
July 4
OLD FASHIONED JULY 4TH
CELEBRATION — FOUR MILE
HISTORIC PARK
Bring the entire family for a day of
fun. Festivities will include visits from
Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson
and Uncle Sam; the reading of the
Declaration of Independence and performances by the Denver Concert Band
and other area musicians. Watch the
1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry drill
and hear stories of mountain men and
Native Americans. Tour Denver’s oldest
standing structure, the Four Mile House
museum and see how early settlers celebrated Independence Day and dealt
with the summer heat. Tickets for the
event are $7 for adults, $4 for children,
and free for members of the Four Mile
Historic Park.
12
Historic Denver Inc.
THIRSTY THURSDAY /
ONE PAST 5
July 11
DENVER UNION STATION
GREAT HALL GALA
6:00 pm to midnight
Historic Denver, Inc. has been selected
as a charity partner to sell tickets for the
Gala Opening of historic Denver Union
Station! The only way in to the social
event of the summer is to purchase a
ticket from Historic Denver, Inc., or
another charity partner. Tickets for the
Opening Celebration Gala are $1,000
per person. All ticket proceeds will go
directly to Historic Denver.
6:00 to 8:00pm
Join Historic Denver and the Molly
Brown House Museum for a Thirsty
Thursday / One Past 5 party! The party
will start at the Patterson Inn, move to
the Capitol Hill Bed and Breakfast, and
conclude at the Molly Brown House
Museum. Drinks and light appetizers
will be served as each stop. This event
will discuss historic preservation in
Denver and focus on three success stories in Capitol Hill – the Patterson Inn,
the Capitol Hill Bed and Breakfast, and
our own Molly Brown House Museum.
$20 per person.
Save The Date!
SEPTEMBER 13 AND 14
Curtis Park Home Tour and Community
Open House
Historic Denver is partnering with
Curtis Park Neighbors on Colorado’s
largest Home Tour to be held this fall.
The Home Tour will feature 14 homes,
tours of a variety of historic sites, and
neighborhood walking and biking tours.
Attend the tour and view a wide range of
housing styles from modest cottages, row
homes and single story duplexes to grand
Victorian mansions, Italianate, Denver
Square and Queen Anne style houses.
Tickets for the Home Tour will be $15
per person, $12 for members of Historic
Denver, Inc.
July 12
WOMEN OF THE
TITANIC TEA
11:00 am, 1:00 pm
Let Mrs. Brown introduce you to her
fellow female Titanic passengers. Each
fascinating and unsinkable woman will
in turn join your table to tell her own
amazing tale while you sip tea and enjoy
delectable scones. Museum Tour included. $15 per person.
July 20
MOLLY SALUTES THE TROOPS
4:00pm to 9:00 pm
Salute our heroes past and present at a
Molly Brown House Museum canteen
party. Along with our military and
cultural partners, explore military history, chat with re-enactors and end the
night USO style with Reveille 3: An
Andrews Sisters Tribute Act. Museum
open from 4-6 pm, canteen party from
4-8 pm, Reveille 3 performs from 8-9
pm. Free for veterans and active service
people, $3 for children 6 – 12, and $5
for adults.
Salute our heroes past and present at a Molly Brown House
Museum canteen party.
Along with our military and cultural partners, explore military history, chat with re-enactors and
end the night USO style with Reveille 3: An Andrews Sisters Tribute Act. Museum open from 4-6
pm, canteen party from 4-8 pm, Reveille 3 performs from 8-9 pm.
Suitable for all ages. Veterans & Active Military Free. $5. adults / $3. children 6-12.