History Colorado grant puts Hartman Castle over the top

Last Wednesday, a small group of people gathered in front of the historic Hartman Castle in this Colorado mountain town and let out a trio of hip-hip-hooray’s. The next day another round of cheers at an event at the castle, sponsored by the Gunnison County Chamber of Commerce.

The small, upstart, nonprofit Hartman Castle Preservation Corporation had just learned it was being awarded a quarter-of-million dollar grant from History Colorado’s State Historical Fund.

Marcie Moore Gantz, the Director of History Colorado's State Historical Fund, said, "Hartman Castle is more than an architectural treasure. It is a place of memory, identity, and belonging. We are proud to partner with local leaders whose vision and perseverance will ensure this landmark continues to serve and inspire the Gunnison community for generations to come."

This is a milestone in the three-year-long effort to preserve what is considered Gunnison’s most distinctive historic house, by giving the nonprofit enough money to purchase the castle and the property it sits on from a private owner.

Pam Williams, the president of the preservation foundation told the group, ““We just received word that our request for the $250,000 acquisition grant from History Colorado was fully awarded. This closes the gap between the pledges and donations we have and our purchase goal. We were awarded an earlier grant of $100,000 from the Office of Economic Development and International Tourism (OEDIT) and the Office of Just Transition (OJT). That grant had a timeline that required us to close by November of this year. It would have taken us a long time to raise that $250,000, so we probably would have lost that $100,000 grant, but we're there now. This also means we can take ownership of the property without debt. Any additional fundraising can go towards the much-needed preservation and restoration of the property”

The folks listening to Williams were on a tour of historic properties in Gunnison, organized by the Crested Butte Museum and curated by Dr. Duane Vandenbusche, a renowned historian, author, and professor at Western Colorado University for 62 years. He singled out Williams and board member Debra Callahan for their tireless efforts, as well as current property owner Dave Taylor who owns and operates an adjacent campground.

“They've done a marvelous job. From where they started to where they are today is unbelievable. This has been three years to try and raise the money. The place looks great now, it's been all spruced up, we got flowers all over the place, and we just found out about the $250,000 state grant. So, we will have the money by November and now begins the work to restore it. Once you have the building bought, you're now able to qualify for grants that you couldn’t qualify for if you hadn’t purchased it,” Vandenbusche said.

The purchase of Hartman Castle also initiates further assistance from Colorado Preservation Inc., which designated Hartman Castle as one of Colorado’s Most Endangered Places, earlier this year.

Wednesday was the first visit to the castle by the nonprofit’s executive director Jennifer Orrigo Charles. She said, “It's incredible, we knew this place was special. How many old buildings are out there in Colorado? You can't save them all. So, when you're really thinking about which ones do we really want to put the effort in, a lot of it has to do with its past, where it is currently, but also looking forward to the future. The vision for this place, having it be a place of community gathering once again, for us, was something we really wanted to support. Our organization coming on board to help where we can, and help with fundraising efforts and grant writing, whatever needs are out there. It was a win.”

Both Orrigo Charles and Vandenbusche expressed optimism that Hartman Castle will be fully restored. 

Vandenbusche commented, “I was just talking with the group a little earlier today about the song, Roll Out the Barrel, when Prohibition ended and it literally means roll out the keg, roll out the barrel. And when this thing gets ready to go, we're going to have a party to end all parties, and we are going to roll out the barrel. And then we're going to sing the song sung after Prohibition ended, Happy Days Are Here Again.”

When Orrigo Charles was asked about her level of confidence she said, “One hundred percent. Knowing the dynamo team involved and seeing a committed local community is key. They have the right players in place that can make this happen. There is no question that we're going to be coming back together and celebrating saving this building.”

As soon as it closes on the sale of the property, the Hartman Castle Preservation Corp., will begin fund-raising and grant-seeking for restoration work, estimated to cost $4 million.