A Look Back -- 1960's in North Boulder

This weekend Historic Boulder celebrates an era with an exciting tour of seven 1960 homes located in the heart of the City.  The tour, Landmarks of the Future, will be this Saturday, April 30th and Sunday, May 1st from 11:00 to 4:00.

The homes on the tour represent a special era, and have been updated, restored and re-purposed while maintaining many original features and the existing scale of the neighborhood.  Experts and other professionals will be on hand to provide information.  And, look for the vintage cars that have been lent for the occasion.

This is a self guided tour, and participants will be able to explore at their own pace innovative, stunning transformations of homes that are exemplars of style, scale and sustainability.

Old North Boulder's oldest home and undisputed Landmark of the Past, the Decker-Tyler House, 2940 20th Street,  will serve as the "tour center" where tickets can be purchased.  It is the one exception to the era represented, built nearly 100 years prior to the 1960's.

We look forward to seeing you on the tour.  Also offered this week is a free lecture "The History & Evolution of Old North Boulder"  It will be held at the Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway,  on Thursday, April 28th from 6:00 to 7:30.

For further information:  www.historicboulder.org. 

or contact:  Jancy.Campbell@coloradohomes.com

The Fun of Living in Older/historic Homes

Do you love older homes?  I do.  I live in a home in Boulder, Colorado that was built sometime between 1895 and 1900.  While not landmarked, it is located in one of Boulder's ten historic districts.

It has rooms that are not quite plumb.  Carpenters originally built it, and there are parts that are quite rough, but it is very sound home.  It was added on to in the back over 40 years ago.  It has a true parlor with a fireplace, a grand room that includes a dining room, and it is quite fun to live in.

It is Queen Anne in style, with a lantern on top and a broad front porch.  The master bedroom opens to another broad porch on the second floor.  The kitchen and two baths have been totally remodeled.

Whether a landmarked home or an older home in an historic district, these homes help us remember persons who lived there a long time ago.  We have the opportunity to view closely how they lived, where they relaxed, and where they met with visitors.  It is fun to imagine what happened on that street or in that community when the home was built.

If you are someone who loves older homes, you might be interested to know that currently in the City of Boulder there are around six homes that are currently for sale that were built before 1930.    I hope you will feel free to contact me if you have an interest in knowing more about these homes. My email is:  jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com.

If you currently own an older or historic home, or are thinking of purchasing one, you might be interested in this resource:  www.preservationdirectory.com .  This is an online resource for historic preservation, building restoration, and cultural resource management in the United States and Canada.

There are skilled local resources that are experienced with the renovation and/or the restoration of historic properties.   I am happy to share these resources with you..

www.jancycampbell.com














Currently there are around six homes for sale in Boulder that were built before 1930.

Just Off The Press

"Hannah Connell Barker" is just off the press and available through Amazon.  It will soon be available through Historic Boulder.

Earlier blogs touch on Historic Boulder's beautiful restoration of the Hannah Barker House, a home that was distinguished in architecture, with a fascinating past, but had fallen to great ruin.  During the restoration process much was discovered about the owner, Hannah Barker.  We learned that she was probably one of the most distinguished and accomplished women living in Boulder during the late 19th Century and early 20th Century.  Her significant contributions to Boulder and surrounding area were many -- Barker Dam, Barker Park to mentioned just a few.

The book was written by three young girls from Boulder's Whittier Elementary School.  Working with the students were board member Helene Willis, who had the original idea for the book and, like Hannah Barker, a former teacher.   Polly McDonald, also a former teacher was a leading cheerleader throughout.  Another Historic Boulder board member, Bridget Bacon, spent many hours researching the historic timeline.  Bob Hunnes, a current Historic Boulder board member shared his expertise as an engineer and as an editor and writer and mentor.

Hannah Barker, an Irish immigrant came to Boulder and taught school to miners' children in Ward, Colorado.  She later married Ezra Barker a prominent Boulder land owner and businessman.
This is a beautiful book telling a compelling story about Hannah Barker, her house and her town.

The project was headed by Ruth McHeyser and Thomas Thorpe, the house project manager.  The authors are Iris Landers, Kyra Leland, Poet Lyon.   Know that there were many other talented and dedicated persons involved.

Marcelee Gralapp, Boulder Public Library's recently retired director writes,  This inter-generational project took three young women on a journey through their own community's history directly connecting them to a woman who championed education, intellectual curiosity and the importance and power of reading.

Because of the many persons in our community who were involved and touched by this careful restoration, it was a proud moment for Historic Boulder when this beautiful home sold this fall to a wonderful new owner.

Wonderful Bunglows

http://www.chicagobungalow.org/membership

Above a website devoted to the popular bungalows in the Chicago area.

The wonderful bungalow style -- perhaps a home style on the move in today's market.  In the Boulder County area there are about 30 homes currently for sale that are described as bungalows.
All but two (that are over a million dollars) are priced in the $200,000 to $600,000 range.
The bungalow, well priced in today's market, is a rich classic with warm interiors.

To learn more contact me at:  jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com

The Boulder Bungalow

Bungalows in Colorado were quite popular from 1900 to 1930, and are found in practically every city and town throughout the state.  The bungalow is a type of building originally from Bengal, India.

The meaning of the word bungalow varies in different countries, but common features include being low-rise and having verandas.  In the United States and United Kingdom it is a residential building with one story or with a second story built into a sloping roof, usually with dormer windows, making it 1 & 1/2 stories.  One of the best features is the full-width porch supported by battered porch piers topped by double wood supports.

Historically the bungalow style home represented the post WWI urban growth that spread across the country between 1920 and 1940.

With a focus today on smaller homes, the bungalow becomes a perfect style with warm and comfortable interiors, not to mention the expansive front porches.  

Search for bungalows currently for sale in the Boulder County area on my website, www.jancycampbell.com or contact me directly at jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com.

Long's Gardens -- In the Heart of Boulder, Colorado

Here is a link to Catherine Long Gates' family's connection to water in Boulder.  Today Long's Gardens is a well known location in the heart of Boulder, and people come from all over to purchase the garden's beautiful iris plants.

Catherine is a member of Historic Boulder and a good friend.  Enjoy the story.  You may have to turn up the volume.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClTLMuG3Q5U&feature=youtu.be

Buying Historic or Interesting Older Homes

How Do I Start?

If you are buying or thinking about purchasing an older home, you are at the beginning of an exciting adventure.  Be sure to have a thorough inspection with a trained professional.
(I can provide you with excellent resources.)  Map out what you want to accomplish and budget.

Here are the Department of the Interior's "Ten Basic Principles for Sensitive Rehabilitation" also known as the "Do's and Don'ts for Buyers."

1.   Make every effort to use the building for its original purpose.
2.   Do not destroy distinctive original features.
3.   Recognize all buildings as products of their own time.
4.   Recognize and respect changes that have taken place over time.
5.   Treat sensitively distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craft work.
6.   Repair rather than replace worn architectural features when possible.  When replacement is necessary, new material should match the old in design, composition, and color.
7.   Clean facades using the gentlest methods possible.  Avoid sandblasting and other damaging methods.
8.   Protect and preserve affected archeological resources.
9.   Compatible contemporary alterations are acceptable if they do not destroy significant historical or significant historical or architectural fabric.
10. Build new additions so they can be removed without impairing the underlying structure.

If the home is landmarked and/or in a historic district, review county or city requirements.

For more information contact me at:  jancy.campbell@coloradohomes.com
or view my website:  www.jancycampbell.com

Open the link below to look at Boulder's new Museum of Boulder . . . a museum at the beginning as it evolves.  Open the link below and see what all 2A will bring to the City of Boulder.

http://boulderhistory.org/new-location/

For information on the Boulder real estate market go to:    www.jancycampbell.com    
Click "search properties" and then go to "map a property" . . . A fun way to find out about your
own home.    

Boulder,Colorado's Fine Mid-Century Architecture

Coming up will be the second and third gatherings of Historic Boulder's 2014 Winter/Spring Salon Series. The theme is Boulder's mid-century architecture.

This Wednesday, March 12th, Jack Brokaw, architect, will talk about his first-hand experience carrying the baton of Modern Architecture in Boulder from the 1960's to the end of the 20th Century.  On Wednesday, April 9th, Harvey Hine, architect, will present his contemporary design work and place it in the context of Modern Architecture in Boulder.

These sessions will be held in the Spruce Street Mansion, 1123 Spruce Street in Boulder from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  Historic Boulder's popular Salons are free and open to the public.  Light refreshments will be served.  

Also on March 19th at 6:30 pm at Boulder's Public Library Auditorium will be a fascinating presentation of The Greenest Building.  It is true that the greenest building is the one that has already been built.  This discussion and screening of The Greenest Building, is an hour-long documentary that considers the question "Is demolition in the name of sustainability really the best use of natural, social, and economic resources?"

Architecture Matters is a spring lecture series that will highlight different topics related to architecture and historic preservation in the Boulder region.  This series is sponsored by the City, Landmarks, Historic Boulder, The Boulder Public Library, the Carnegie Library for Local History, and the Boulder History Museum.

Architecture in Boulder -- As Unique & Original as the City

Historic Boulder's successful Salon Series kicked off its Spring 2014 series, The Influence of Modern Architecture in Boulder with a presentation by Len Segel, architect who spoke about why Modernism flourished in Boulder, and how it is the true architectural "style" of Boulder's progressive spirit.

The next two presentations in the series are:

Wednesday, March 12th
Jack Brokaw, architect, will talk about his first-hand experience carrying the baton of Modern Architecture in Boulder from the 1960's to the end of the 20th Century.

Wednesday, April 9th
Harvey Hine, architect, will present his contemporary design work, and place it in the context of Modern Architecture in Boulder.

These events are all free and open to the public.  

To find out more, contact me:  Jancy Campbell, 303-931-9663 or jancy@jancycampbell.com
.


 

Historic Boulder has been working hard to restore the Hannah Barker House located at 800 Arapahoe in Boulder.  Not only is this a stunning example of Italianate architecture, but was also the home of an accomplished and significant woman who lived in Boulder in the late 19th Century.  When Historic Boulder decided to take on this project, this beautiful home had been literally left to ruin.

We are now in what is called Phase 3B of the restoration of this beautiful home.  Starting this spring perhaps the most work done at any time so far will take place.  This work will include the restoration of the cupola and some interior stabilization.  .

The home is zoned residential and sits across the street from Boulder's City Club.  Arapahoe is a beautiful street, and is easy walking distance to Boulder's famous Pearl Street Mall.

At some point in time Historic Boulder plans to put the Hannah Barker House on the market, but would entertain talking to a potential buyer who might have an interest a financial partnership in the further restoration of this beautiful home.  Definitely something Historic Boulder has an interest in exploring.

For more information contact me at:  303-931-9663
Also visit my website at www.jancycampbell.com

A Powerful Conference -- Saving Places 2014

Saving Places ran from February 5-7 in Denver, Colorado . . . The theme, Preservation in Plain Sight:  providing information on developing a community vision.

As always it was a powerful conference bringing people from all over the country to Denver.  One of my favorite sessions was called, Better Blocks Movement and Embedded Historic Districts.

Many of America's streets along streetcar lines were once vibrant places with  rich histories and notable architecture.  The fun of this session was to watch an effort to revitalize a neighborhood and to see the results.

Jefferson Park's commercial streetcar blocks in Denver had lost their spendor in the last half-cenury when attention shifted to more car-oriented development patterns.  Recently urban peoneers have returned to neghborhoods close to downtown, bringing with them urban infill development, a desire for active lifestyes, and revitalization of neighborhood commerce.

In 2012, Walk Denver, a local nonprofit dedicated to making Denver more pedestrian-friendly, chose Jefferson Park for "Better Block," a complete streets demonstration project.  Groundwork Denver was an active and valuable partner in those efforts.

Since then, Jefferson Park has become a laboratory for an urban renaissance led by community engagement and new business.   This was a successful effort, returning vitality to the buildings and blocks in the area and demonstrated the great potential for historic preservationists to become more involved in the "Better Block" movement in their community.

Does Your Historic Home Have a Story to Tell?

Does your historic home have a story to tell? Have you renovated a historic home and made some curious discoveries, or do you wonder just who did live in your home years ago.

If so, I would love to hear all about it. If Walls Could Talk, Home & Garden Television is looking for homeowners who have dramatic stories to tell about their historic homes. To learn more about this opportunity, contact JLevi@HighNoonEntertainment.com

I would also love to help you access historic resources in the Boulder area to learn about the historic background of your home -- Who lived there? What did they do? What was Boulder like when your home was built?

If you are thinking about selling your historic property, we can help you tell that story with visuals, and we can send a part of that story to U Tube. We can also feature your home on television.

Email me at: jancy@jancycampbell.com

Ghost Walk, Ghost Talk

was a huge success. Over the two night weekend, (Saturday and Sunday) over 800 people came to visit six of Boulder's very scary historic homes.

Headquarters was the old Highland School, built in 1891, the first historic building that was successfully preserved and landmarked. Today the Highland School has become a showcase office venue, and houses Boulder's distinctive City Club.

Each house featured a room for the psychics to sit and talk to the ghosts that reside in each home. Boulder, Colorado has some of the most fun Holloween adventures in the state. Homes on the tour included the John Harris home (one of Boulder's best known mining men; the Alexander Safely home (Safely played a role in the Sand Creek Massacre); the home of Millard Fillmore Leech, a larger-than-life man who was instrumental to the construction of the Switzerland Trail, a narrow guage railroad line. Also on tour was the home of Leander and Ida Bearss who came Boulder from Nebraska in the late 1800's, and whose family continued to live there until 1945; and the house that was the home of the mother of Boulder's colorful photographer, "Rocky Mountain Joe" Sturtevant.

Also on tour was the Hanna Barker house . . . one of Boulder's oldest homes . . . . The Barkers, Hannah and Ezra . . . whose name is found on Barker Dam, and Boulder's Barker park . . . The Hannah Barker house has been donated to Historic Boulder. Historic Boulder is rehabilitating the house and bringing to light the story of Hannah Barker, probably one of the most important women in Boulder in the late 19th Century.

Boulder's Best Scary Events -- Halloween

Wow . . . Historic Boulder produced, directed, and presented Ghost Walk, Ghost Talk over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday nights). A captive and fascinated audience toured six of Boulder's historic homes with a past. These homes are located in the Highland Lawn area and included a sitings and conversations with a few spirits in the nearby Columbia Cemetery. More on the homes and what went on inside in the next post.

Historic Boulder, Boulder's preservation organization, has been given a treasure. The Hannah Barker House at 800 Arapahoe, a property significant because of its owner, its location, and its style.

We have discovered that Hannah Barker was perhaps one of the most important women in Boulder in the late 19th century. We are in the beginning stages of its renovation. Her legacy includes ranch land in Nederland now the Barker Dam, and the park on the SW corner of 15th and Spruce, Barker Park. Look at www.historicboulder.org for more information. I have the fun honor of heading Historic Boulder this year. Stay tuned.

Another link to open is http://www.frontrangeliving.com/home-design/canyoncottage.htm
I am representing the sale of 419 Canyon Blvd in Boulder, one of Boulder's oldest properties, and the story is an excellent account of its renovation from "Derelick to Cinderella." If you are restoring or remodeling, the story provides some great resources.

Would you like to know about about historic homes for sale in Boulder County? Either email me and I can send you a list of available properties or go to my website: www.jancycampbell.com and conduct your own MLS search by year built.

Boulder Historic Homes for the Holidays

The annual Boulder Historic Holiday Home Tour each year opens the holiday season in Boulder.
This last weekend seven homes in the Mapleton Historic District were open on Saturday and Sunday.

Different this year was that the homes on tour were all on just one block, Maxwell Avenue. Maxwell Avenue's homes represent a living style that is appealing today, the "Not So Big House" -- smaller residences, a mix of uses, and proximity to public transportation.

Most think of Boulder's Mapleton Hill as a neighborhood of grand homes and stately grounds. However, the homes on Maxwell Avenue, one block north of Mapleton, were more modest, on smaller lots and narrower streets.

Today, Maxwell Avenue is lined with charming, well-preserved, working class vernacular homes from the turn of the 20th Century. Reminders of Maxwell Avenue's mixed-use past, a former mom and pop grocery and another former grocery store/gas station are still standing. A streetcar, the tracks gone today, went up the Avenue.

The charm of these homes comes from their smaller size and what the owners have done with them. From an abundance of little nooks and crannys; to copper kitchen counter tops; to little balconies off master bedrooms; to lofts and beautiful kitchens and living areas-- each home had its own distinct personality.

The weather was beautiful for the first part of December. This tour attracted one of the largest crowds in years. Over 1000 people were able to walk up and down the street as they had in days gone by and see the creativity used in the renovation and restoration of these charming homes.

For more about Boulder, Colorado and its close-by surrounding area I invite you to go to my website: http://www.jancycampbell.com/ or email me: jancy@jancycampbell.com

History Happening in Boulder

Boulder's History Museum opens its second season of:

Boulder Conversations with Extraordinary People

Mark your calendars and meet these extraordinary people who are taking Boulder to new heights.

The season begins September 21st with Chuck Porter, chair, Crispin Porter + Bogusky

The series runs through April 2011.

Here is the rest of the line-up:

October 13; Eric Cornell, CU Physicist & Nobel Prize Laureate

November 9th; Jim Voss, CU Professor & Former NASA Astronaut

December 14; Jean Dubofsky, Former CO Supreme Court Judge

January 11; Margaret Coel, New York Times Best-Selling Author

February 8; David Barrett, Architect, Designer of Dushanbe Cybercafe

March 8; Gene Bolles, M.D., Neurosurgeon and Medical Military Consultant

April 12; Dave Scott, Six-time Ironman World Champion and Triathlon Coach

All programs take place at Chautauqua's Community House and include complimentary wine and cheese. Programs are from 5:30 to 7:00

Tickets can be purchase at the Chautauqua Box Office http://www.chautauqua.com/ or call the Box office at 303-449-7666

$15 per program ($12 for Museum and Chautauqua members.

Additional contact info:

Boulder History Musrum; http://www.boulderhistory.org/ 303-449-3464



For further information about this event or information about historic homes for sale in Boulder County --



Contact me at 303-931-9663 or jancy@jancycampbell.com. or http://www.jancycampbell.com/

Don't Miss Historic Boulder's 2010 Landmarks of the Future

Once a year Boulder hosts a special tour of significant homes that promise to become Landmarks of the Future. On Saturday & Sunday, April 24th and 25th, this tour will be all about architect's and designer's homes -- appropriately called, Architects and Designers at Home. Below are links to four of the homes on tour.

For more information contact me at 303-931-9663 or jancy@jancycampbell.com.
Tickets can be purchased at Historic Boulder, West End Gardener, Boulder Book Store, Page Two, and the Timbalier.

http://jlogan.com/logan_wiggins1.html

http://www.folwellstudios.com/images/mfportfolio/crescent/crescent.html

http://www.vastarchitecture.com/Projects_Residential/Hickory/1.html

http://www.architropic.us/Architropic/The_NZE_House.html

This tour presents an opportunity to educate, advocate and promulgate the value of saving our culturally important buildings.

Hope to see you there. You'll be glad you were.

Jancy

Replace or Restore Historic Windows

(for more information go to http://www.jancycampbell.com/ or email me: jancy@jancycampbell.com

Are Replacement Windows Maintenance Free?
I believe what we are all looking for is a solution that is environmentally sound and sustainable, and one that does not compromise the historic integrity of the property. From a recent article by Walter Sedovic and Jill Gotthelf a question asked is, are replacement windows maintenance free . . . "no" according to Michael Jackson, FAIA, chief architect of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Jackson said in a recent presentation that "maintenance free" means it can't be repaired. Vinyl, fiberglass & aluminum windows -- and insulated glass -- are formed using materials and techniques that are not conservable. Once they fade, warp, or fail, there is virtually nothing that can be done but to replace again.

I would love to receive any information about successful window replacement or restoration in historic homes.

Historic Boulder has a most informative web site: http://www.historicboulder.org/. At the top is an index, where you can click on "green" . . This is a wonderful resource. You will also find an interactive link that points out the various parts of a house most likely to be the source of "leaks".

Also, a special note: This Wednesday, October 14th, Historic Boulder will present the second Fall session of its popular Salon Series. The presentation will be "Sears Catalogue (Kit Houses) in Boulder County". Heather Lewis, principal in Animal Arts architecture firm and past chair of the Louisville Historic Preservation Commission will talk about how they arrived in several thousand pieces and a set of instructions, and people went to the train station to pick up what would become their new home. The Salon is free, open to the public and held at the Spruce Street Mansion. Feel free to email for times and further information.