Over the 34 years that BV Heritage has been in existence, our organization has become an integral part of the community, building a solid reputation by focusing on our mission and by providing educational and heritage tourism opportunities in the most cost-efficient way possible. Our history can be summarized as typical early struggles, followed by two decades of calm, then ten years of rapid growth.
Buena Vista Heritage was formed in October 1974 with the express purpose of starting a museum and to provide a use for the threatened old Chaffee County Courthouse, which was in danger of demolition in the early 1970s. Local citizens rallied to save the building, and it was deeded to the town in 1975 for one dollar to be used as a local history museum by BV Heritage.
Those early years were filled with the efforts of dedicated volunteers, operating on a shoestring budget, who readied the building for its new purpose, ran the museum, conducted research, catalogued and displayed artifacts, and published a volume of county history. One room of the museum houses a collection of archival photographs and the morgue of the local newspaper; another room features the popular Buena Vista Model Railroad. In 2003, local citizens underscored their belief in our mission and viability by voting to sell us the building for one dollar; ownership transferred from the town of Buena Vista to BV Heritage in January 2004.
Although the courthouse was responsible for our genesis, it wasn’t the first property we owned. In February 1997 we acquired the Turner Farm on West Main Street in Buena Vista with the assistance of an $88,000 grant from the State Historical Fund and with over $30,000 of locally raised funding. Thanks to subsequent funds from the State Historical Fund and individuals, as well as several hundred hours of volunteer labor, restoration of the property is nearly complete. The farm began limited operations as a living history museum last summer.
In 2003, Buena Vista Heritage acquired the Denver, Leadville and Gunnison Depot, formerly of the South Park Line. The structure, known locally as the Buena Vista Depot, was built sometime in 1890-91 and had been used for 75 years as an office by a local lodging establishment. In November 2002, a fire damaged part of the structure, and the owners donated the building and $5,000 to us to ensure the depot’s preservation. With the blessing of town government and a long-term ground lease, we moved the building in June 2003 to a park in the center of Buena Vista. The community contributed almost $23,000 in cash and in-kind donations for this project. When the building is restored, the Buena Vista Depot will become a transportation museum featuring the three railroads in this area’s history. In 2005, a donor gave us a vintage caboose for display next to the depot.
Buena Vista Heritage recently acquired two other pieces of historic property. Following the destruction by fire of the Town Hall/Jail building in the historic mining town of St. Elmo in April 2002, the St. Elmo Property Owners’ Association transferred ownership of the St. Elmo Schoolhouse and Town Hall to Buena Vista Heritage in spring 2004. Restoration of the schoolhouse was completed in 2006, funded by a $73,740 grant from the State Historic Fund and nearly $25,000 in private donations. It was opened to the public following a dedication ceremony on June 3, 2006. Fundraising for rebuilding the St. Elmo Town Hall continues, and almost $78,000 has already been raised. The foundation and exterior were finished in late 2006. When completed, both the schoolhouse and town hall/jail will be museums depicting life in the mining town.
We also oversee the Maxwell Park School on behalf of the state of Colorado.
Header photo by Paul J. Robinson