Hannah Barker House Rehabilitation:
Historic Boulder completes Phase 1 of the Hannah Barker Rehabilition
and receives State Historic Fund Grant!
Historic Boulder, Inc. (HBI) has just completed the 1st of 5 phases planned to stabilize & rehabilitate the Hannah Barker House (HBH), and, in August 2011, was awarded a $130,000 matching grant from the State Historical Fund for Phase 2! This grant will help pay for foundation and exterior masonry stabilization. This year, fewer than half of the SHF grant applications from around the state were approved, underscoring the project’s significance in the region.
Since HBI took ownership of the home at the beginning of 2011, we have completed emergency protection work (critical bracing for roof and walls & temporary roofing to prevent further deterioration, asbestos and animal waste removal and security fencing) and site clean up. The HBH Committee also hosted many educational and fundraising activities and an interpretive sign was placed on the fence. Thanks to those who have donated to the Hannah Barker House fund and to the many volunteers who helped make all of this possible!
The rehabilitation of the Hannah Barker House provides a rare opportunity to understand and tell the story of women’s roles in settling the West and will transform the house to its former stateliness as “the grand dame” on West Arapahoe.
Phase 1 Preservation in Action (pictures below)
Our first priority was critical bracing for the roof and walls....
....including temporary roofing to prevent further deterioration
...and site clean up.
We installed temporary electrical service and interior lights.
Then we were ready for biohazard abatement:
While all of these exciting projects were happening on-site, our amazing Hannah Barker House Research Committee was conducting extensive historical research on Ezra and Hannah Barker, completing a project brochure and an on-site interpretive sign for education and fundraising.
Our Education committee has partnered with the Whittier Elementary Historians to write an educational children's book about the young pioneer Hannah Barker in early Boulder that can be used for young visitors and in elementary schools.
Check out some of the community-based fundraising events Hannah has hosted during Phase 1-
Open House May 18th, 2011 Celebrating the emergency stabilization of the Hannah Barker House
Ghost Walk Ghost Talk, October 22nd and 23rd, 2011
Autism Society of Boulder County's Annual Halloween Party, October 29th, 2011
Phase 1 would not have been completed without the help of in-kind donations of professional services, donations
throughout the community, and over 1,300 hours of community volunteer time. Thank you!
On August 1, 2011 Historic Boulder was awarded at $130,000 grant from the State Historical Fund for Phase 2 rehabilitation work!!! Thanks to these collaborative efforts Phase 2 is well under-way.
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