Relevance
Many times in the past 20 years Boulder has been selected as one of the best places to live in the U.S. This is no accident. Generations of citizens have been working in a myriad of ways to make this happen. Historic preservation has been a part of creating this special place. For 50 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
Preservation advocacy in this, our 50th year, has included successfully pursuing landmark designation of the modernist Midland Savings / Atrium Building, seeking protection for a new historic district arrayed around the Huntington Bandshell in Central Park, supporting the Rotary Club in their efforts to protect the ‘9-mile’ WWI monuments, and communicating with the City planning staff to revise an outdated demolition ordinance.
Educate
We presented three tours of historic properties to our members and the public…… at Central Park, the Modern highlights in and around the Civic Center, and a tour of the Geological Society of America which is earmarked to be redeveloped as affordable housing.
We also reopened the dialogue with the University of Colorado, providing a class on architecture in central Boulder, gave a lecture on the important design work of the architecture firm of Hobart Wagener, and explained how the progressive spirit of architecture fostered the same throughout Boulder.
We continued to offer ‘history hikes’ on the trails around Boulder, including little known historical structures on Mount Sanitas, Chautauqua, Woods Quarry and the Flatirons.
We continued to collaborate with the Boulder Valley School District on a middle school essay contest. Students focused their research and writing on environmental history and under-represented voices and perspectives.
Finally, Historic Boulder is developing several virtual walking tours…… converting our existing ‘paper’ tours of historic districts to digital ones, developing a survey of Modernist buildings with the idea to turn that into several tours, and finalizing a tour of the neighborhood of many of Boulder's early black citizens.
Rehabilitate
Historic Boulder is involved in the ongoing financial and administrative co-sponsorship of a State Historic Preservation Fund grant for the 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). Damages to the roof and stucco are being assessed and rehabilitation plans are not far behind.
We are working to assist several homeowners to advise them on restoring their historic properties. These include a ranch estate north of Lyons, a family home in the Whittier neighborhood, and an historic one-room schoolhouse in Valmont.
Celebrate
Our Annual Meeting this year 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 a landmarked home in University Hill, a patron event at the landmarked ‘Castle’ house, and a Partner appreciation party at the famous car collection of Stephen Tebo.
Our ‘Meet the Spirits’ event returned in October at the Columbia Cemetery. Eight hundred people enjoyed hearing the stories of pioneers of Boulder through the volunteer efforts of more than 20 reenactors. We are finishing the year with our ‘Homes for the Holidays’ tour with 5 historic properties dating from 1897 to 1925.
Historic Boulder Inc. was founded 50 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
Address
1200 Pearl Street, Suite 314Headquarters
1200 Pearl Street, Suite 314Mailing
1200 Pearl Street, Suite 314Boulder County, CO, US