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Society Documents

This page contains links to key documents of the Eagle County Historical Society. Click on a link to see the current version of these documents. Contact us if you have a concern or question regarding any of these documents.

Annual Report 2017

Museum

Recorded the best museum year ever, with a total of 9,910 visitors – more than double the previous year’s attendance.
BluSky Restoration generously donated cleaning services for the museum opening.
Marketed the museum with the addition of a large, outside banner featuring one of our historic photos.
Made minor upgrades to several exhibits.
Initiated repairs for the Nottingham player piano, which should be operational in 2018.
Operated with paid docents every day (no volunteer docents).
Loaned artifacts and helped create exhibits for the Vail Library, Eagle Library, Colorado Mountain College (One Book, One Valley program) and the Frost Creek Golf Course.
Continued to pursue the acquisition of Past Perfect software for digitizing archive records.
Mourned the loss of our long-time volunteer museum curator, John Bronn.
New artifact acquisitions during 2017 include:
- Clothing and other items from Oleson family
- Framed photo of Woods Lake circa 1913
- Cowboy hat, horsehair bridle, photos and history from Leonard Horn family
- Borah family photographs and artifacts
- Whiskey still from Elliott Ranch
- Railroad depot signs from Gypsum and State Bridge (donated by the Glenwood Railroad Museum upon its closing)

Administration

Using grant funds, hired a website designer to update the ECHS website. New website will go online in 2018.
Participated in “Colorado Gives Day,” raising $2,020.
Hired Anne Kerrigan as our part-time administrator.
The ECHS had 104 official members.

Events/Projects

Hosted “Old West Gambling Night” where participants learned the strategies of Keno, Chuck-a-Luck, Spanish Monte and Faro (and how to cheat).
Honored ECHS supporter John Buchholz with the Nimon-Walker award (in partnership with EVLD).
Edited and published Verne Albertson’s memoir, “Beanies, Stick Horses, Marbles and Mean Chickens.”
Partnering with Walking Mountain Science Center, offered popular “Hiking Through History” tours at Fulford and Red Cliff.
Created a local history class for the Vail Valley Board of Realtors. Some 53 realtors participated.
Co-hosted two Horn Ranch history hikes with the Eagle Valley Land Trust and Eagle County.
Presented local history education programs to 374 elementary school students.
Presented a series of local history talks:
- High Country Speaker Series – (EVLD and Walking Mountain Science Center)
- Castle Peak Care Center
- High Altitude Quilt Guild
- Up-Valley Seniors program

Miscellaneous

Supported Eagle County’s effort to purchase the Hardscrabble Ranch open space.
Worked with Eagle Valley Land Trust in creating an Adam’s Rib Timeline for a fund-raising event.
Created a very successful partnership with Walking Mountain Science Center.
Worked with Avon Historical Advisory Committee on efforts to preserve the Hannewald barn.
Continued to work with the Four Rivers Historical Alliance on promoting local history tourism.
Assisted CSU Extension Office with Brush Creek history for tour by CSU professors.
Assisted town of Eagle in creating history-based sign honoring the Citizen of the Year.

Plans for 2018

Museum party celebrating Nottingham piano acquisition.
Red Cliff Cemetery tour Saturday, Aug. 18.
More “Hiking through History” programs.

* Many thanks to the ECHS Board and the dozens of volunteers who helped make 2017 a year of both ongoing and new accomplishments in our goal of preserving and sharing local history.

Annual Report 2016

Museum

A total of 4,871 people visited the museum during the season, an increase of 875 over the previous year.
After a month’s trial, the ECHS Board voted to offer free admission (donations welcome) to the museum. As a result, the people numbers have increased, and the revenue collected was comparable to previous years. Museum admission will be free in 2017.
An effort to staff the museum two days a week with volunteers proved challenging for the administrator. We will return to an all-paid staff in 2017.
Exhibits from the museum were displayed at the Vail Public Library during the off-season. A similar display will be offered in 2017.
The new glass display cover over the Gilman mine diorama was put in place. The new cover was partially funded by a grant from Alpine Bank.
Under the leadership of Curator John Bronn, some artifacts were moved and displays reorganized for better presentation. Interpretation was added to some displays.
Special tours were offered to several groups, including 70 second-graders from Eagle Valley Elementary.
New artifact acquisitions during 2016 included:
- Antique tables and chairs from the Stremme family (Gypsum pioneers)
- Child’s saddle from the Holland family, prominent Wolcott ranchers
- Antique gas pump from the J. Perry Olsen family at Wolcott
- A player piano from the Nottingham family, dating to 1911

Kids inside the museum

Administration

The ECHS hired its first part-time administrator/bookkeeper.
Membership is on the rise with 114 total members in 2016
ECHS took part in “Colorado Gives Day,” raising $1,635 in donations.

Sandy and John

Events/Projects

The Eagle Cemetery Tour in October drew 275 people and raised over $5,000.
Local history programs were presented to 446 students in Eagle County schools.
History program presented to campers at Sylvan Lake State Park
Partnered with Eagle Valley Library District (EVLD) in presenting the Nimon-Walker award to John Comer, recognizing his efforts to restore the McCoy waterwheel.
Partnered with Eagle County on a hiking tour of the Horn Ranch property.
Partnered with Eagle County on creating interpretive signs for the Horn Ranch.
Hosted railroad historian Pat Thrasher for a program in Avon.
Partnered with EVLD on adding the following items to the artifact collection:
- Letters and personal correspondence from the Doll Brothers Ranch
- Manuscript from John Gabelman detailing 1950s mining operations in Gilman and Fulford.
Acquired several artifacts for the pending Mt. of the Holy Cross exhibit.
Edited/rewrote Eagle County Entry for the Colorado Encyclopedia (Colorado Humanities/History Colorado)
Added nine more properties to the “Honoring Historic Eagle” walking tour, completing that project.

Sunset View

Awards

ECHS and EVLD received the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence recognizing the ongoing Nimon-Walker award.
Local historian Kathy Heicher and the Colorado Department of Highways received the Carolyn Bancroft Project Award from History Colorado for the writing and publication of The Bridges of Eagle County book.

Annual Report 2015

Museum

A total of 3,996 people visited the museum during the season, an increase of 1,289 over
the previous year.
Using a $500 grant from Alpine Bank, a new glass cover was created for the mining
diorama.
When the museum closed for the winter, four exhibits were moved to the display cases at
the Vail Public Library, which will provide some exposure for the ECHS in the Vail
community.

2015 Projects and Activities

Membership is at an all-time high, with 100 paying members in 2015.
Published The Story of Fulford book by Richard Perske.
Partnered with the Eagle Valley Library District on presenting the Nimon-Walker Award
honoring author Richard Perske.
Hosted a “Fulford Night at the Museum” fund-raising event, raising $3,000.
The ECHS served as parade marshals for the Eagle Flight Days parade, creating a prize- winning float that featured a Conestoga covered wagon.
Continued work on the “Honoring Historic Eagle” interpretive sign project, adding eight
additional signs. This project is near completion.
Continued to explore the possibility of creating an addition to the museum.
Partnered with the “Gardeners on the Go” garden club to bring in Master Gardener Su
Gray for a program on Heritage Gardening, which drew about 35 participants.
Presented “History Take-Out” programs to 304 elementary school students, a senior
citizen group, Sylvan Lake State Park, and a teacher sorority.
Maximized the revenue from the “Penny-Pinching” machine by moving it to the Eagle
County Airport during the winter tourist season.
Continued to work with the Four Rivers Historical Alliance, a regional group of Historical
Societies whose goal is to promote cultural history tourism.
Hosted a historic hike at Sylvan Lake for the FRHA and interested ECHS members.
Partnered with Eagle County in offering two history-hiking tours of the Horn Ranch
property.
Individual members volunteered at the Eagle Valley Community Rummage Sale, earning
about $3,000 for the ECHS.
Assisted Eagle County with research for a history interpretive sign for the Colorado River
Ranch School open space parcel.
Supported citizens seeking to preserve the Hannewald barn in Avon.
Hosted railroad historian Pat Thrasher for a program in Avon at the 2015 annual meeting.
Volunteers began work on creating a movable “Mount of the Holy Cross Display,” funded
by a $500 grant from the Slifer, Smith and Frampton Foundation.
Continued to work on improvements on the ECHS website, including creating an option
for people to pay for memberships and books with a credit card.
Hosted a robust “Facebook” page with 758 “likes.”

Annual Report 2014

Museum

Museum operated from May 17 – October 6. Visitors for the season totaled 2,707, compared to 2,899 in 2013. The difference can probably be attributed to ongoing construction on the access road.
Created rotating museum displays for the Eagle Town Hall and Eagle County Administration Building.
Guided tours of the museum for 66 elementary students.
Developed Ute Indian display; added “hands on” ranching exhibit for children, upgraded mineral display.
Replaced outside stairs and ramp (Eagle Scout project).

2014 Projects and Activities

Minturn Cemetery Tour, drawing over 150 participants.
Purchased “Penny Pinching” machine for the Eagle Visitor Center.
Partnered with Eagle County on four hiking tours of the Horn Ranch open space parcel (125 participants).
Continued second phase of the “Honoring Historic Eagle” sign project. Nine additional historic sites were identified and researched. The signs will be placed in the spring of 2015.
Organized tours of Norrie Colony and the Red Cliff Historical Museum and cemetery the Four Rivers Historic Alliance.
Partnered with the Eagle Valley Library District and Eagle County in creating a display recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Eagle County Fair.
Partnered with EVLD in bringing “Gypsy Cowbelle” program to library.
Partnered with EVLD on presenting history program at Gypsum Library (33 participants)
Partnered with EVLD on “Sherwood” author and burro program.
Partnered with EVLD on the annual Nimon-Walker Award presentation honoring the Nottingham family.
Worked with EVLD to add material to the historical archives.
Partnered with Sylvan Lake State Park in bringing history program to campers.
Partnered with Sylvan Lake State Park on creation of history signage for park.
Worked with Colorado State Parks in securing Colorado Register of Historic Places status for the Upper Brush Creek Schoolhouse. (National Historic Register status is still being reviewed.)
Presented “History Take-Out” educational programs to 406 students at schools throughout the valley.
Presented local history programs to Rotary Club, PEO, Red Hat Ladies and other civic groups.
Worked toward producing a new book documenting the history of the Fulford mining camp (ongoing project).
Working with the FRHA presenting a poster session and program for the Mountain Plains Museum Association Conference in Snowmass.
Organized a work day at the Eagle Valley Rummage Sale (volunteer hours earned the ECHS a $2,592 grant).
Worked with citizen group seeking to clean up and preserve Edwards Cemetery.
Built a robust “Facebook” following.
Membership: 87

Honors

The ECHS and EVLD received a State Honor Award from Colorado Preservation, Inc. recognizing both organizations’ leadership in the field of historic preservation.
The Four Rivers Historical Alliance (a coalition of Historical Societies that includes the ECHS) was honored by History Colorado with an Honorable Mention in the Miles Award competition, recognizing advancement of Colorado History.

Goals for 2015

Continue to broaden the ECHS mission by planning events throughout the Eagle Valley.
Possible Camp Hale Historic tour.
Convert more “observer” members to active participants.

Current Society By-Laws

Section 1. CORPORATE NAME AND ADDRESS The name of the Corporation is Eagle County Historical Society, Inc. Its office is 100 Fairgrounds Road, Post Office Box 192, Eagle, Colorado, 81631.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

Section 1. CORPORATION “Corporation” shall mean and refer to: Eagle County Historical Society, Inc., a Colorado corporation.

Section 2. MEMBER “Member” shall mean and refer to those persons, organizations and other entities who express interest in preserving the local history of Eagle County and support the organization by payment of annual or lifetime dues. Organizations or other entities who are members are entitled to one vote and to otherwise be treated as an individual member.

Membership classes are listed below. All classes are entitled to the same privileges and responsibilities. All members fall into one of the following classes:

– Senior / Student

– Individual

– Couple

– History Buff

– Business Sponsor

– Corporate Sponsor

– Community Sponsor

– Lifetime

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1. ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the members shall be held on a date established by the Board of Directors within the fiscal year of the Corporation.

Section 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS Special meetings of the members may be called by the President of the Board of Directors, or upon the request of a majority of the Board of Directors. A special meeting may also be called upon the request of one-fourth of the members of the Corporation.

Section 3. NOTICE Written notice shall be given for the annual meeting and for special meetings where voting of the membership will occur. This notice will be given in writing by U.S. Mail, or by electronic mail (E-Mail) to members who have agreed to receive communications in that way, at least 15 days before the scheduled meeting. Mail (or E-Mail) notice will be made to the address registered with the Corporation for the member. Such notice will state the date, time, location and purpose for the meeting.

Section 4. PROXIES At both the annual and special meetings, proxies may be used to cast member’s votes. A proxy may be presented by mail to the Corporation’s secretary at least five days before the meeting, or by presentation of another member at the meeting.

Section 5. QUORUM The total of members present at an annual or special meeting plus those presenting a proxy shall constitute the quorum, except as otherwise stated in these bylaws.

Section 6. MAJORITY All votes taken to elect officers or to decide other Corporation business require a majority of the quorum to pass.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMPOSITION AND TERM OF OFFICE

Section 1. GOVERNING BOARD The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers as determined by the membership. Each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote when the Board of Directors votes.

Section 2. TERM Each member of the Board of Directors shall serve for a two year term. The terms of the President, Secretary and Publications Executive shall start at the beginning of the Fiscal Year in even numbered years, and the terms of the Vice President, Treasurer, Membership Executive and Events Executive shall start at the beginning of the Fiscal Year in odd numbered years. Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the membership.

Section 3. REMOVAL Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause by a vote of the membership at a special meeting. In the event of removal, resignation or death of a Board of Directors member a successor shall be selected by the Board of Directors to complete the term.

Section 4. COMPENSATION No member of the Board of Directors shall receive compensation for their services as Board of Directors member. Board of Directors members may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 5. ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING Any member of the Board of Directors shall have the right to take actions for the Corporation without a meeting of the Board of Directors by obtaining prior written or verbal agreement of the Board of Directors members. Any action so taken shall have the same effect as one taken with a vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting.

ARTICLE V

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. NOMINATIONS Prior to the annual meeting of the Corporation, a nominating committee shall be appointed. This committee shall determine and present nominations for all of the offices of the Board of Directors that will expire at the end of that year. A member of the Board of Directors shall serve as chairperson of the nominating committee. The committee shall consist of at least three members. The names of those selected by the nominating committee shall be presented to the membership in the notice for the annual meeting. At the annual meeting the nominations will be presented to the membership and nominations will be accepted from the floor.

Section 2. ELECTION After nominations are completed, an election shall be held and a person elected for each office that expires in that year by counting the votes of those present and proxies presented. The candidate with the most votes shall be considered elected to each office.

ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

Section 1. REGULAR MEETINGS The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings as the business of the Corporation shall require. The Board of Directors will provide a schedule of its planned meetings to the membership. Members can check with the president regarding any changes, or agenda items for each Board of Directors meeting.

Section 2. DECISIONS A majority of the membership of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors. Every decision made or action taken shall require a majority of the quorum of the Board of Directors. Decisions made and actions taken in this way shall be regarded as an act of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. MEMBER ATTENDANCE Members of the Corporation shall be allowed to be present at meetings of the Board of Directors, to be heard by the Board of Directors and to be advised of actions taken by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. POWERS The Board of Directors shall have the following powers;

(a)

suspend the voting rights of a member who is not current in dues payment,

(b)

exercise for the Corporation all powers, duties and authority vested in, or delegated to the Corporation that are not reserved for the membership by other provisions of these bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation,

(c)

declare the office of a member of the Board of Directors to be vacant in the event of the prolonged absence of that member without explanation,

(d)

receive donations, grants and other support for the use of the Corporation,

(e)

engage in and obligate the Corporation to engage in activities promoting local historical interest and related activities in and about Eagle County, Colorado.

Section 2. DUTIES It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to do the following;

(a)

cause to be kept a complete record of all acts, determinations and Corporate affairs. Make these records available to the members upon request,

(b)

supervise all officers, agents and employees of this Corporation, and to see that their duties are properly performed.

ARTICLE VIII

OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 1. OFFICERS The officers of the Corporation shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers as determined by the membership.

Section 2. TERM All officers shall be elected for two year terms as specified in Article IV above. The term of each officer is one year unless the officer should resign or be removed from office by the membership or the Board of Directors.

Section 3. REMOVAL Any officer may be removed from the Board of Directors with or without cause by a vote of the membership. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors.

Section 4. REPLACEMENT If any office of the Board of Directors shall become vacant, either by removal, resignation or through other cause the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the officer’s term.

Section 5. DUTIES The duties of the officers are as follows;

(a)

President – The president shall preside at all meetings of the membership, see that orders and resolutions of the membership are carried out, sign all leases, mortgages, deeds and other written instruments that obligate the Corporation. Represent the Corporation at public hearings and presentations. Serve as the co-signer with the Treasurer or Vice President for all checks and other instruments of over $500 value.

(b)

Vice-President – The vice-president shall act in the place and stead of the president and in the event of the president’s absence, inability or refusal to act, and shall exercise and discharge such other duties as may be required by the membership. Serve as the co-signer with the treasurer or President for all checks and other instruments of over $500 value.

(c)

Secretary – The secretary shall record the votes and keep the minutes of all meetings and proceedings of the membership and the Board of Directors; serve notice of meetings of the membership: and shall perform such other duties as required by the membership or the Board of Directors.

(d)

Treasurer – The treasurer shall serve as the chief financial officer on the Board of Directors. The treasurer shall guide the board in managing the financial assets of the Society. The treasurer shall oversee the activities of the Society’s bookkeeper and conduct reviews of processes and results of the bookkeeper’s efforts. The treasurer shall also lead the process of developing the annual operating budget for the Society.

(e)

Bookkeeper – The bookkeeper is an appointed and paid position. The Board of Directors is responsible for the selection of the bookkeeper. The bookkeeper shall receive and deposit in appropriate bank accounts all monies of the Corporation and shall disburse such funds as directed by actions of the Board of Directors and the membership; shall obtain an authorizing signature for all checks and promissory notes of the Corporation from those noted below; ensure that all checks of greater than $500 are signed by two of the following parties, the President, Vice President, Treasurer or other selected officer; keep proper books and accounts; cause an audit of the corporation books to be made by a public accountant at the request of the majority of the membership to be presented to the membership at its regular annual meeting.

(f)

Publications Executive –Facilitates the printing, distribution, sale and marketing of books.

(g)

Events Executive – Maintains annual events schedule. Works with other corporate officers and members on determining programs, choosing speakers, publicizing and staging special events.

(h)

Membership Executive – Maintains necessary records of members including identification of the class of each member, mailing address and electronic communication address (if furnished). Manages the annual membership drive activity and facilitates the communications between the board and the general membership for notices, newsletters and meeting notices. Identifies within the membership data identification of elected officers and their term of duty.

ARTICLE IX

COMMITTEES

Section 1. COMMITTEES The Corporation’s Board of Directors may appoint such committees as deemed appropriate in carrying out the functions of the Corporation.

ARTICLE X

MEMBER DUTIES

Section 1. MEMBER DUTIES Each member is obligated to pay to the Corporation regular and special dues. Each member who has paid the yearly dues is considered as a member for the calendar year. This applies to all types of membership other than lifetime membership. Dues which are not paid when due are considered to be delinquent. When dues are delinquent more than three months, the member is removed from the membership rolls.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

Section 1. AMENDMENTS These bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors, except for this Article. These bylaws may also be amended at a regular or special meeting of the members by a vote of a majority of members present in person or by proxy. An amendment made by the members may be amended or deleted only by a vote of the members.

Section 2. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE In case of any conflict between the Articles of Incorporation and these bylaws, the Articles shall prevail.

ARTICLE XII

FISCAL YEAR

Section 1. FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on January 1 and end at midnight on December 31 of each year

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