$12,557 raised by 74 donors
63% complete
$20,000 Goal
Relevance
Boulder frequently has been selected as one of the best places to live in the U.S. This is no accident...Boulder didn't just happen. Generations of citizens have been working in a myriad of ways to make this a special place and historic preservation has played a critical role. For 52 years Historic Boulder Inc. has been advocating for the preservation of ‘legacy’ properties. In partnership with the City, this has resulted in the protection of over 1,300 properties, ensuring that the lessons of the past are known in the present and the future. Historic preservation, from every era of Boulder, contributes to the remarkable spirit of our town.
Historic Boulder fosters the spirit and benefits of preservation through advocacy, education, rehabilitation and celebration.
Advocate
Entering our 52nd year, Historic Boulder’s advocacy to save historic places is busier than ever. Together with partners Friends of the Bandshell and Dushanbe Teahouse, Historic Boulder submitted an application to the City to create a new historic district centered on City Park and it’s immediate surrounding buildings–including the Teahouse, the Bandshell, the Atrium Building, BMOCA and the Municipal Building. We are working with City staff and community groups to promote the historic value of this civic center in order than preservation will be considered in future planning for this heart of town. Historic Boulder appears regularly before the Landmarks Board to support preservation of historic buildings, and works with willing owners to assist in the landmarking process.
Educate
Historic Boulder produces numerous live tours and programs throughout the year. Kicking off the year at the Colorado Preservation Inc. conference which was held in Boulder, we presented tours of Pearl Street, "The Little Rectangle" and the Civic Center. We held two walking tours highlighting Mid-Century modern buildings near downtown. We continued our ‘history hikes’ on the trails around Boulder, including little known historical structures on Mount Sanitas, Chautauqua and the Flatirons. Our annual Secondary School Essay Contest drew excellent stories from students about Boulder's legacy businesses. We produced two virtual walking tours available to the public on the PocketSights app: a survey of Modernist buildings in Central Boulder and a tour of "The Little Rectangle" neighborhood which was home to many of Boulder's early black citizens.
Rehabilitate
Historic Boulder gave financial and administrative support for a State Historic Preservation Fund planning grant to prepare for the eventual repair of the façade of the Boulder Theater. This iconic Art-Deco building is in the heart of Boulder's Downtown Historic District (on the National, state and local historic registers). The planning grant was completed in 2023 resulting in construction-ready plans to move forward at a future date.
We also work to assist several homeowners to advise them on restoring their historic properties.
Celebrate
Our Annual Meeting was held on Zoom, but several other events to celebrate our 50th year took place live and in person. These included a member appreciation party at one of the oldest landmarked homes in Boulder.
Our biennial Ghost Walk Ghost Talk event returned in October featuring five historic buildings on and around Pearl Street - tour goers learned the history of the buildings, their former inhabitants and current psychic sensations. We are finishing the year with our ‘Homes for the Holidays’ tour showcasing 9 small accessory dwellings "ADUs" in the historic Mapleton Hill and Whittier neighborhoods.
Historic Boulder Inc. was founded 52 years ago in response to the impending demolition of three historic properties: the Central School, Boulder Railroad Depot, and the Highland School. Members raised funds for the purchase of the Highland School, which was subsequently landmarked ad sold to private developers. Today it is thriving as a unique office co-share center. With Historic Boulder's help in acquiring the depot, the Boulder Jaycees found a new site, moved, and renovated the building. It is serving as a restaurant anchor to a newly developing, higher density neighborhood. Unfortunately, the Central School was demolished.
Out of these preservation efforts, Historic Boulder began the advocacy for a landmark ordinance which was accomplished in 1974. Since then, over 200 individual landmarks have been created and 10 historic districts designated. This year Historic Boulder has renewed our preservation efforts as a member-driven, non-profit to protect and promote historic places that shape the vital cultural and economic spirit of Boulder. Please help us with your generous support.
Organization name
Historic Boulder, Inc.
other names
HBI
1972
Tax id (EIN)
23-7223041
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
1200 Pearl Street, Suite 314Headquarters
1200 Pearl Street, Suite 314Mailing
1200 Pearl Street, Suite 314Boulder County, CO, US