Hartman Castle hosts its first event in decades

As fundraising by the Hartman Castle Preservation Corporation continues, it and the Gunnison Creative District collaborated, last Saturday, to stage what is planned for be an annual Hartman Castle Art Fair.

Dozens of artists, food vendors, musicians, and face painters displayed their works and talents in the large garden area fronting the 135-year-old, Queen Anne-style castle. The art fair included musical offerings and a large group of people doing yoga in the shade of the dozens of Cottonwood trees on the grounds.

“This is an idea that the Creative District brought to us,” said Pam Williams the board president of the preservation nonprofit. “It was a way for us to get people going to Hartman Rocks to give bike race spectators something extra to do, as well as the entire community. We really expect this event will grow over the years. It gives the artists an opportunity to show their wares. One of the things that we really have focused on with Hartman's is that this is going to benefit the entire community from an economic standpoint.” 

Supporters of the drive to purchase the castle and property from its current private owner envision a model used by other successful historic preservation projects. The dream is to make Hartman Castle a community center; a gathering place for an infinite variety of events and activities, including the significant restoration work that will be needed.

Williams said, “We'll be hosting weddings, family reunions, community gatherings, events for other nonprofits, celebrations of life, and workshops. We're working with organizations that will bring in people learning trades. This building is 135 years old. There are many buildings in the U.S. that need to be preserved. It’s becoming increasingly hard to find tradespeople with the know-how to do so. Numerous organizations are looking for properties like this that can bring people in to learn how to tuck-point brick or redo the woodwork upstairs. The community will benefit from those visitors, while Hartman’s will serve as a learning center while being restored.”

Earlier this year, Hartman Castle was added to Gunnison County's Historic Registry, allowing the preservation group to apply for an acquisition grant from History Colorado. That application is currently under review. We're hopeful that we will be funded for $250,000. If we are, we're good. We will have the ability to purchase the property,” Williams added.

 Once the property is acquired, restoration efforts will begin in earnest which will require an additional round of fundraising. Williams estimates it will take $4 million dollars to restore the castle to its previous glory and make it a must visit stop for visitors and a community events center that celebrates the towns history and one of its founders, the castle’s namesake Alonzo Hartman.

One of the benefits for the community is that statistically, up to 70% of that $4 million will stay in the Gunnison area.