A Publication of Historic Georgetown, Inc.

Volume XXXX, No. 2 Fall, 2010

Roof repair stabilizes Hamill office building

By Sharon Rossino
Thanks to a $35,000 grant from Colorado’s State Historical Fund (SHF), the Hamill House Museum’s office building will regain its stately
bearing with much-needed repairs to its roofing system and interior plaster and woodwork.
The contract between HGI and the SHF was executed in November 2009. However, due to the large number of fortieth-anniversary events
that took place during the 2010 summer season, HGI decided that it was best to delay the roof tear-off until fall when the museum closed for the season.
With the changing of the aspens, the roof work began!
The $48,640 project budget provides for the preservation of
the Hamill office roof as well as the interior preservation of the plaster
walls, ceilings, and American black walnut wainscot paneling in the
museum’s interior. Exterior preservation includes repair to the four
dormers, rehabilitation of the valley flashing, preservation of the
unique built-in gutter system, installation of new sheathing,
installation of a new snow and ice shield, replacement of rotted cedar
shingles, preservation of the historic cresting around the widow’s
walk, as well as sanding, scraping, and painting all areas of wood on
the roof system, including the beautiful decorative corbels. Earlier this
summer, workers scraped the lower level windows and painted them
to match the new coat of paint that graced the Hamill House
Museum’s west elevation.
The general contractor hired to perform the sensitive
preservation of the roof is Sean Plett, owner of SP Construction,
LLC. Sean Plett has worked in the Georgetown-Silver Plume
National Historic Landmark District on numerous roofing and historic
construction projects. Plett anticipates the exterior repairs of the
project will be completed by the end of November. After the
exterior portions are completed, work will begin on the interior of Office Work: Sean Plett of SP Construction dries-in the south side of the Hamill
the office building. The anticipated project completion date is House Office Building roof just in time for a long, snowy winter.
December 2010. ■ Photo by Tristen Greenleaf

2010 Georgetown Georgetown Bighorn Sheep Day

COOK-OFF By Sharon Rossino

WINNERS On November 13th the Division of Wildlife (DOW),

Georgetown Promotions Commission, Georgetown Trust, and Gate-
way Visitor Center are hosting the Sixth Annual Bighorn Sheep Day.
STEW A variety of fun activities are planned for the whole family between
1stPlace: TEAM ALPINE the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The event will take place at the
2nd Place: MOTHER’S SALOON Georgetown Visitor Center and the Bighorn Sheep Viewing Station at
3rd Place: TEAM LOVELAND Georgetown Lake, with music on the downtown Library Park stage.
Drop by the Visitor Center and the Viewing Station to learn about
COBBLER these amazing animals.
1st Place: TEAM LOVELAND Visitor Center
2nd Place: TEAM SOUTHEND’RS Kid’s Center– sheep horn & bandana crafts, interpretive table with
3rd Place: BIG RED MINING CO. animal skins, Bighorn Hokey Pokey at noon, and Elbert the Ram
GRAND CHAMPION Sheep spotting– led by DOW volunteers
Bighorn literature
TEAM LOVELAND
Food tent
Wildlife Presentation at 11:00 a.m.
CONGRATULATIONS
to all the winners &
Viewing Station
THANK YOU to our Interpretive table, sheep spotting, hot cider and cocoa, and Elbert
SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS! Downtown
Music on the Library Park stage
 2 The Silver Queen Preservation News Fall, 2010

Celebrating fifty years of Chri

Fifty years of Christmas Market
remembered
By Cynthia Neely
In 1960 Georgetown was a different
place: no Interstate 70, virtually no homes north
of 11th Street, and a population of about 400. Yet
a boom was beginning. In the 1950’s Georgetown
residents and merchants had combined to form
the Georgetown Civic Association to promote
what is now called heritage tourism. The town
was attracting a growing number of on-the-road
travelers. Some among those, from very foreign
places, chose to stay. So Astrid and Stig Guster-
man came from Sweden via New York and Den-
ver to make their home in Georgetown, as had A crown of candles and the star boys: The Santa Lucia Children’s procession
Annette Holmes from Germany and husband culminates in Library Corner Park under the large fir tree where the choir and visitors
Bill, and Odette and Wally Baehler from Chicago. sing Christmas carols.
The newcomers were new merchants on the scene. Through Odie Baehler’s press connections, Market ap-
scene: silversmith, artist, creative clothing de- peared frequently and in color on the pages of the Denver Post
signer as well as restaurateurs who established the and Rocky Mountain News. The attendance grew. As founding
Red Ram. members passed on, the Market planning passed to Kerstin
When the familiar winter problem of at- Gusterman, Janice Moore, and Patti Fraley, and then, when the
tracting business faced their young businesses in law required a non-profit sponsor, HGI became involved.
1960, Astrid and Stig recalled the Christmases of And, these 50 years later, Santa Lucia and star boys still
their childhood in Sweden where communities parade the street, the horses paw the ground, carolers stroll, St.
gathered to celebrate and sell their wares in a Nicholas gives out his candy canes, and the booths are full.
Christmas Market. With the help of Odie and Many people come now, but its heart is still Georgetown ■
Annette, they launched the first Georgetown
Christmas Market. It was without booths or en- Santa Lucia: the Queen of Lights
tertainments, but from the start chestnuts roasted,
Saint Lucy’s Day or the Feast of Santa Lucia is dedicated to Santa
the Santa Lucia wore her crown of lights and Lucia and observed on December 13. This holiday is observed around
Buff’s horse-drawn sleigh carried carolers around the world, including in Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Latvia,
the town. Estonia, Finland, Malta, Italy, Bosnia, Bavaria, Croatia, and Slovakia.
In the early years the whole community Santa Lucia (283-304 A.D.) was a wealthy, young Italian Christian
participated in Market. Children were assigned who martyred herself during the Diocletian Persecutions. She refused
chores of gathering pine cones to be made into to marry a pagan, distributed her dowry to the poor, and was sen-
wreaths and swags, rolling beeswax into candles tenced to execution. The story imparts that following her sentence,
and cutting out the candelabra and Lucia doll the guards were unable to move her or burn her, so they took her eyes
forms for sale. Town ladies baked, sewed, knitted, out with a fork. Her name is derived from lux, lucis, or “light”, and
and painted ornaments. Almost all sale items were she is the patron saint of the blind. Lucia is the queen of lights, whose
presence helps all to remember that although her day falls on one of
hand-made in town. In the late afternoon the
the darkest and shortest of the year, brighter days will soon arrive.
hay-stacked sleigh took the children to deliver
Christmas baskets to the more elderly. Visitors
frequented Market, but its heart was Georgetown. Strousse Park vendor booths-Thank you to those who helped
As the years passed booths were con- with the painting of the Strousse Park booth this summer::
structed along the side of Strousse Park, the craft Larry Price of Price Painting, Michael and Robin Farkash of
vendors increased, dancers and singers provided Bergen Park Paint and Decorating, and the Geisness Family.
entertainment and Saint Nicholas arrived on the
 3 The Silver Queen Preservation News Fall, 2010

stmas Market in Georgetown

“For its your wassail and its our wassail...
Traditional, Somerset Wassail Vendors offer unique handcrafted
Each fall, preparations are made to ready the Hamill goods during Georgetown’s
property for the time-honored Christmas receptions. The eve- holiday shopping
ning receptions include the lighting of the Christmas tree can-
dles, caroling with the Silver Plume Singers, hors d’oeuvres, ‘Tis the season for gift giving, entertaining, and spread-
open bar, readings, wassailing, and time to reminisce and re- ing good cheer. Visit this year’s vendors who will offer
flect on what Christmas means to us all. an outstanding array of handcrafted items to help you
Ever since 1971, HGI has hosted Christmas at Hamill spread the cheer!
House and again this year, we invite our friends, neighbors, URocky Mountain Hat Co., featuring hats with serious
and members to join us for another celebration of the tradi- sun protection, plus scarves & mittens
tions of Christmas. Please join us on December 11 or Decem- UGeorgetown Community School, featuring bratwurst and
ber 18 at the historic Hamill House to celebrate the holiday, other goodies
the company of old friends and new, and this historic treasure UPottery by Chaucy, featuring handmade stoneware,
adorned with greenery, decorations, and cheer. seasonal pottery, and holiday ornaments
Each evening begins promptly at 6:00p.m. and tickets UPrimo Jams featuring locally made spiced preserves
are $60 for members and $75 for non-members. UDas Meyer Fine Pastry Chalet, featuring baked goods
Black tie optional. such as strudels, stollens, cookies, Yule logs, breads, &
And its JOY be to you and a jolly wassail...” cupcakes
USilver Plume Sundries, featuring natural body care
products
Entertainment Schedule UHot, roasted chestnuts, by Friends of Charlie’s Place
As in previous years, the entertainment line-up is sure to UWorld Karmony, featuring original polar fleece hats,
please the crowds. Unless otherwise noted, free entertain- hand-knitted scarves, and antique Batik yoga mats
ment will be held at the Georgetown Community Center, UGabriella’s Designs, featuring handmade nature beings
located at the corner of 6th and Argentine Streets. made from organic wool & fibers, and plant-dyed felt
ULil’ Smokers, concessions featuring funnel cakes,
Saturday, December 4 smoked turkey legs, & ribbon fries
11:00 a.m. Step-in-Style Dancers
12:00 p.m. Santa Lucia Children’s Procession UNuts to You!, featuring assorted roasted nuts
1:00 p.m. Calico & Boots Dancers UCollectible Clauses, featuring hand-knit Swedish
2:00 p.m. The 4Gs-Jingle Singers mittens, hats, & hand painted ornaments made from an
3:00 p.m. Ye Wanton Singers ancient variety of sheep’s wool
Sunday, December 5 UJael’s Designs, featuring handmade quilts, jackets,
11:00 a.m. Donna S-Scheer arrangements, and purses.
12:00 p.m. Santa Lucia Children’s Procession UAlpine Creations, featuring pinecone holiday wreaths
1:00 p.m. Boulder Scandinavian Dancers USandi Asch’s original recycled paper products & other
2:00 p.m. Jerry Barlow, Celtic Guitarist crafts
3:00 p.m. Colorado Chorale UDay or Night Jewelry, featuring Swedish designs
Saturday, December 11 UHigh Country Hand Crafts, featuring hand-knit wool
11:00 a.m. Choir Fire Singers hats, scarves, mittens, and bags
12:00 p.m. Santa Lucia Children’s Procession UGlassmith II, featuring custom-engraved glass,
1:00 p.m. Wheat Ridge Community Chorale slumped glass, & fused glass
2:00 p.m. John Adams UMichael Hay’s original photo calendars, prints, photo
3:00 p.m. Last Note Singers books, posters, ornaments & mugs
4:00 p.m. Impromptu Singers @ First Presbyterian Church UKaleb’s Katch, featuring smoked salmon, fresh-frozen
Sunday, December 12 Sockeye & King salmon, fresh-frozen Halibut &
11:00 a.m. Denver & District Pipe and Drums smoked salmon sandwiches
12:00 p.m. Santa Lucia Children’s Procession
1:00 p.m. To be announced
2:00 p.m. One World Folk Dancers
3:00 p.m. To be announced
 4 The Silver Queen Preservation News Fall, 2010

Save the Dates   

2010‐2011 Devil’s Gate  
History Club Schedule 
 

November 19, 2010: Ron Ruhoff presents the 
is a publication of Historic Georgetown, Inc., formerly the Georgetown Society, Inc., Squaw Mountain Fire Lookout 
aka Georgetown Historical Society, Inc., a Colorado non-profit corporation.  
P.O. Box 667, Georgetown, CO 80444
Phone (303) 569-2840 Fax (303) 569-2111 January 21, 2011: Barbara Leyendecker presents 
Email [email protected]
Web site www.HistoricGeorgetown.org the Romantic Notions of Nature as Seen by East‐
Subscription is included with membership
Copies distributed at the Hamill House Museum & Gateway Visitor Center ern and Western Artists 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS  
Chair: Dana Abrahamson, Georgetown
Vice-Chair: Sarah Walen, Silver Plume February 18, 2011: Tara XXXXXX presents the Urad 
Secretary: Lee Behrens, Georgetown
Treasurer: Matthew Skeen, Georgetown
and Henderson Mines 
Endowment Trustee: Nancy Johnson, Idaho Springs  
Directors: Jim Blugerman, Georgetown; Bob Bowland, Idaho Springs; Mary Riddle
Clark, Georgetown; Ellen Elliott, Georgetown; Robert Gibbs, Georgetown; Norma
March 18, 2011: Bob Schroeder presents the  
Hafenstein, Denver & Georgetown; Ruth Hamilton, Castle Rock & Georgetown; Sally
Hopper, Golden; Brent Kruger, Georgetown; Penny Landau, Golden; Barbara Leyen-
Griffith Family of Silver Plume 
 
decker, Ft. Collins and Georgetown; Mickie Newman, Georgetown
STAFF April 15, 2011: Earl Cark and Dick Over present 
Executive Director: Sharon Rossino
Membership Director: Tristen Greenleaf Memories of 10th Mountain Division during WWII 
Museum Guides: Ann Izard, Elaine McWain, Sophie Schleicher
Newsletter: Cynthia Skeen, Editor;  
Nancy Johnson; Connie Primus; Bill Wilson
Webmaster: Ruth Rosenfeld Thank you to Carol Hunter and Greg Markel for presenting 
Newsletter Design: HGI staff in September and October!

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