Last Stand of the Pack June 13

/in /by

Event: The Last Stand of the Pack
What: A presentation about history of wolves in Eagle County, and their possible future in Colorado
Featuring: Fort Lewis College Professor and Historian Andrew Gulliford
When: Thursday, June 13
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: (Old) Exhibit Hall, Eagle County Fairgrounds, Eagle
Admission: $10 ($5 for Historical Society members).

In 1929, Forest Service conservationist Arthur Carhart and Bureau of Biological Survey hunter Stanley P.Young wrote “The Last Stand of the Pack,” the story of the extermination of the last wolves in Colorado
in the 1920s. Two of those wolves were from Eagle County.

Andrew Gulliford

Ninety years later, wolves are being viewed from a different perspective. College professor Andrew Gulliford and fellow author Tom Wolf have resurrected that 1929 book, reprinting it as an anthology that
includes the perspectives of ranchers and environmentalists. Gulliford will discuss the book in a special presentation hosted by the Eagle County Historical Society.
The public is welcome.

Special Cowboy Moments: Eagle County Fair & Rodeo Video

/in , /by

Television writer Kevin Holten and his crew from RFD-TV (a cable television network with an emphasis on rural lifestyles) spent several days at the 2018 Eagle County Fair last year, shooting scenes celebrating Eagle County’s rural history and traditions. The show, “Special Cowboy Moments” aired for the first time Wednesday, May 22. You’ll find a lot of Eagle County history and some familiar faces in this program. Several of the interviews were filmed in our history museum. The length of the program (including advertising) is 28 minutes, so give yourself some time and enjoy!

Horn Ranch Hike Thursday May 30

/in /by

The Eagle Valley Land Trust and Eagle County Historical Society will lead a hike to the historic stone quarry at the Horn Ranch on Thursday, May 30, noon – 2 p.m. Learn about the Horn Ranch conservation project, and Historical Society President Kathy Heicher will share the history of the early ranch and the colorful characters that lived there.

More information at https://evlt.org/community-land-connection-series-horn-ranch-historical-tour-thursday-may-30-2019-12-2pm/

The moderate hike is about two miles round trip and gains several hundred feet in elevation. Wear sturdy shoes and bring sunscreen and water. No dogs.

The tour is limited to the first 20 people who RSVP to the Land Trust at [email protected] or call (970) 748-7654.

A tour is also scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. – noon.

These popular tours have limited space, and fill up quickly. Early reservations are recommended.

Directions and liability waivers will be forwarded upon registration.

Nimon-Walker honors Jaci Spuhler Sunday, April 28

/in /by

ECHS volunteer Jaci Spuhler will be honored with the Nimon-Walker award during a program at the Avon Library on Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m. The award, established in 2001 by the ECHS and the Eagle Valley Library District, recognizes people who have helped preserve the history of Eagle County.

Working as the EVLD Local History and Archives librarian, Spuhler developed and made accessible to the public an extensive local history collection including thousands of digitized photographs. Since her retirement in 2015, she continues to volunteer in many capacities for the Eagle County Historical Society, including archiving of artifacts and working at special events.

The featured program for the event will be a portrayal of Colorado pioneer doctor Susan Anderson (“Doc Susie”) by Kathy Naples.

The Nimon-Walker event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

March 24, 2019 Beer and History at the Bonfire

/in /by

Beer and whiskey are just as much a part of Eagle County’s history as mining, ranching, and skiing. The Eagle County Historical Society will present a special program about the county’s historical drinking habits at Bonfire Brewing in Eagle, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in celebration of Colorado Craft Beer Week. Stop in for a brew and a bit of local history. (Early Gypsum saloon photo courtesy of Eagle County Historical Society and Eagle Valley Library District)

March 20, 2019 The History of Eagle County + Walking Tour of Historic Eagle

/in /by

 

Special offer for members only

The History of Eagle County + Walking Tour of Historic Eagle

Wednesday, March 20  9 a.m.

Eagle County Administration Building in Eagle, Garden-level classroom

Local historian Kathy Heicher will present a slide show and talk that will reveal Eagle County history stretching from the Ute occupation in the early 1800s to the development of the county’s ski resort economy in the 1960s. The lecture will be followed by a walking tour of historic downtown Eagle.

To reserve a spot in the class, RSVP to: [email protected] by March 19. Cost of the class is $10 for ECHS members.

*** Note: Local realtors seeking “Vail Pro” education credit for the class must register through the Vail Board of Realtors (http://www.vbr.net).

Colorado Gives Day — December 4, 2018

/in /by

Give where you live: Support the Eagle County Historical Society on Dec. 4

  It takes more than beautiful scenery and great skiing to build a healthy community. The Eagle County Historical Society is among dozens of non-profit organizations in Eagle County that work hard every day providing quality-of-life services for locals and visitors. Programs include educational and health services, housing assistance and cultural enrichment.

   Eagle County Gives, a coalition of 50 local and worthy non-profits, will once again participate in Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, Dec. 4. This annual event simplifies philanthropic giving by providing a convenient on-line option for supporting local non-profits with a single website visit.

  Last year, the one-day event raised nearly $1 million for local organizations. Donors have the option of making contributions on the official Gives day, or scheduling donations in advance.

  Watch for posters, news articles, and sign -waiving volunteers in the roundabouts.  Take this opportunity to support your local community. Present and future generations will thank you.

  More information at eaglecogives.org.

 

Hiking through History: The McCoy fossil beds

/in /by

The history lessons spanned thousands of years at our McCoy Fossil Beds “Hiking through History” outing with Walking Mountain Science Center. Geologist and guest teacher Neil Suneson led the fossil hike, which turned up hundreds of fossils, proof of the era when Eagle County was a warm shallow sea. The group then learned some of McCoy’s more recent history with a walk through the cemetery and a visit to John Comer’s historic waterwheel. What a great way to end the season … and we are already working on ideas for next year’s history hikes.

Stem fossil

Shark teeth

Waterwheel, photo by John Comer

In the wash

handful of fossils

Fossil bed

 

Hiking through History: The McCoy fossil beds September 25

/in /by

Join the Eagle County Historical Society and Walking Mountain Science Center on Tuesday September 25 [8am to 3pm] for some time travel to an era when Eagle County was a warm, shallow sea. McCoy’s high desert ranching community is a treasure vault of fossils, including shark teeth and brachiopods. The tour will also include a visit to John Comer’s waterwheel, which dates back to 1923 when local ranchers devised an ingenious method of ensuring water from the Colorado river could flow into irrigation ditches. Put on your hiking boots and join us for a fascinating end-of-the-season hike.

Reserve a spot at https://www.walkingmountains.org/project/hiking-through-history-with-echs/

ECHS members get a 50 percent discount. Use the code ECHS at checkout.

Comer Waterwheel, photo by Raymond Bleesz

 

Honky-Tonk Night at the Museum September 7

/in /by

We had some fun at “Honky-Tonk Night at the museum. Piano expert Jere DeBacker explained the workings of a player piano. Special thanks to 10th Mountain Distillery for providing a sampling of their brews. And lots of people learned they can play the piano (with their feet).