Print
E-mail
Comment
Historic cabins moved to district museum
After two years, the Cripple Creek District Museum was finally able to realize a dream Sept. 17, when two historic cabins from the area were moved to the museum grounds.
The cabins, formerly owned by Cripple Creek, were moved from their original sites in 2006. Former Museum board member and city engineer Jeff Miller spearheaded the project to preserve the cabins, both of which were faced with demolition. One of the buildings was moved from 207 West Masonic Ave. in Cripple Creek; the other was brought from the District ghost town of Midway and was a one-time home to retired prostitute “French Blanche” LeCoq. Miller passed away in 2006 before realizing his dream of creating a heritage park for the structures at the corner of Highway 67 and Golden Avenue in Cripple Creek.
In July, Cripple Creek’s Historic Preservation Commission and the city council voted to approve moving the cabins to the museum. Councilmember Gary Ledford further procured a vote from the council to grant ownership of the buildings to the museum. Plans began to prepare the cabins for the move, which was coordinated by museum board member Milford Ashworth. Ashworth got assistance from Mayor Dan Baader, city employees Chip Huffman, Steve DiCamillo, Troy Loftus; Jesse and Jackie Bielz and their employees at Bielz Trucking and others to move historic mining equipment in Hardrock Park at the museum, secure the cabins on steel I-beams and move them to the museum. The project was completed Sept. 17.
Museum staff will work with volunteers to create rock foundations for each building, apply historically accurate weatherproofing, install period flooring and wall treatments, and furnish the cabins as they would have looked during their period of use as homes. Many furnishings will come from the museum collection but also from patrons who have donated items. So far these include a pie safe from Bill and Lori Phelan of Kalispell, Mont.; gray granite dishware from Yvetta Ashworth; windows from museum board president Steve Mackin; and a child’s rocking chair from the Penrose home in Cripple Creek from director Jan Collins.
The museum is indebted to all who have been involved and will continue working over the winter months to complete the project. When finished, plans are in the works for a grand gala opening of the cabins. Meanwhile, the museum is seeking donations toward the cost of refurbishing the buildings. Tax-deductible donations may be made on PayPal from the museum Web site at www.cripple-creek.org or by writing the Cripple Creek District Museum at P.O. Box 1210, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.
The cabins, formerly owned by Cripple Creek, were moved from their original sites in 2006. Former Museum board member and city engineer Jeff Miller spearheaded the project to preserve the cabins, both of which were faced with demolition. One of the buildings was moved from 207 West Masonic Ave. in Cripple Creek; the other was brought from the District ghost town of Midway and was a one-time home to retired prostitute “French Blanche” LeCoq. Miller passed away in 2006 before realizing his dream of creating a heritage park for the structures at the corner of Highway 67 and Golden Avenue in Cripple Creek.
In July, Cripple Creek’s Historic Preservation Commission and the city council voted to approve moving the cabins to the museum. Councilmember Gary Ledford further procured a vote from the council to grant ownership of the buildings to the museum. Plans began to prepare the cabins for the move, which was coordinated by museum board member Milford Ashworth. Ashworth got assistance from Mayor Dan Baader, city employees Chip Huffman, Steve DiCamillo, Troy Loftus; Jesse and Jackie Bielz and their employees at Bielz Trucking and others to move historic mining equipment in Hardrock Park at the museum, secure the cabins on steel I-beams and move them to the museum. The project was completed Sept. 17.
Museum staff will work with volunteers to create rock foundations for each building, apply historically accurate weatherproofing, install period flooring and wall treatments, and furnish the cabins as they would have looked during their period of use as homes. Many furnishings will come from the museum collection but also from patrons who have donated items. So far these include a pie safe from Bill and Lori Phelan of Kalispell, Mont.; gray granite dishware from Yvetta Ashworth; windows from museum board president Steve Mackin; and a child’s rocking chair from the Penrose home in Cripple Creek from director Jan Collins.
The museum is indebted to all who have been involved and will continue working over the winter months to complete the project. When finished, plans are in the works for a grand gala opening of the cabins. Meanwhile, the museum is seeking donations toward the cost of refurbishing the buildings. Tax-deductible donations may be made on PayPal from the museum Web site at www.cripple-creek.org or by writing the Cripple Creek District Museum at P.O. Box 1210, Cripple Creek, CO 80813.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. |
