Historic Georgetown Inc.

A Publication of Historic Georgetown, Inc.
Volume XXXV, No. 4 Spring 2006

Purchase agreement signals renewed hope
for 'most endangered' school building

By Cynthia Skeen

After many months of negotiation, the Georgetown Trust has reached an agreement with the Buckley family for the purchase of Georgetown's historic school building, located on the corner of Eighth and Taos streets.

The State Historical Fund approved a grant of $281,250, which will partially fund the purchase price of $400,000. The Trust is actively soliciting matching funds in order to consummate the purchase. The Ronald Neely Memorial Fund and the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Trust put together the funds needed to secure the purchase-option agreement.

The Georgetown Trust has applied for a grant from the State Historical Fund in the amount of $124,290 to stabilize the building. This grant would cover about 75% of the estimated cost of about $167,000.

Placed on the 2006 Most Endangered Places list by Colorado Preservation, Inc., the building has suffered numerous indignities over the years. The initial stabilization project will repair the south side of the building, into which a garage door had been cut. Workers will also shore up the sagging northwest corner.

A new roof will be installed, chimneys will be stabilized, and the window openings, most of which are missing glass, will be covered to keep out the elements. According to Trust Executive Director Cynthia Neely, the windows will most likely be covered in plexi-glass, though they will not be restored during the initial phase of work. Site work will also improve drainage, in order to direct water away from the building.

Georgetown's pride and glory: Built in 1874, and designed by Denver architects Lewis and Bancroft, the school house is pictured here in the 1880's. Georgetown Trust Executive Director Cynthia Neely commented that she gazes at the picture from time to time in order to remind herself of the importance of the Trust's acquisition of the building. Photo courtesy of Historic Georgetown, Inc.

Central City Opera to appear at Hamill House
Performance coincides with Argentine Central RR Centennial

By Dana Abrahamson

On May 26, Historic Georgetown, Inc., will host a performance of a small group of singers from the Central City Opera. They will perform selections from several well-known operas from their spring schedule as well as songs with mining and railroad-history themes.

Founded in 1932, the Central City Opera makes its home in the historic opera house in Central City; Welsh and Cornish miners built the opera house in 1878. The fifth-oldest opera company in the United States, Central City Opera is recognized nationally for its stellar productions of operatic works from the standard and 20th-century repertoire. This special one-time engagement is part of the Clear Creek County Railroad Days Festival and the Argentine Central Railroad Centennial Celebration. (In 1906 the builders completed the Argentine Central Railroad from Silver Plume to the summit of Mt. McClellan.) This memorable evening will include an early 1900s costume contest, old-time photos, a special history display with photos of the Argentine Central, a dessert auction, and more.

The HGI performance will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Hamill House, 305 Argentine Street, Georgetown. The cost is $50 for Historic Georgetown members and $75 for non-members. In addition to the opera performance, ticketholders are entitled to hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a photograph of each attendee. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (303) 569-2840, or by emailing preservation@historicgeorgetown.org.

Visitors who spend the night in town may easily enjoy the centennial dedication ceremony the the following morning at the Silver Plume Depot. Railroad enthusiasts who attend the ceremony can also take a special tour of the Colorado Historical Society's rail cars. To enhance your enjoyment of this special occasion, be sure to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad and participate in other fun activities during the Clear Creek County Railroad Days Festival. See www.clearcreekcounty.org for further details.

Articles inside this issue:

Bronze plaques planned for Georgetown's historic buildings
Field trip returns to Annual Meeting agenda
HGI properties scheduled for summer improvements
Meet the staff: Jessica Hendrickson
Ron Neely recalls early days of preservation in Georgetown
Book your wedding with HGI!
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