AURORA MUSEUM FOUNDATION

The story of Aurora, Colorado

Newsletter, January 08

MUSEUM'S PROGRAM'S OFFER INTERESTING WINTER

Taking advantage of the Aurora History Museum's winter programs offer an interesting escape from a season noted mostly for cold days and long nights. Currently playing in the museum's Gallery Two is Hollywood, Colorado--a look at some of the more than 500 motion pictures that have been produced in whole or in part in Colorado since the 1880's.

The story of film making in Colorado is told with posters used to advertise some of the more famous movies filmed in Colorado and with both silent and sound clips from some of the films. The movie clips can be watched from a mini theater set up in the museum's gallery.

The Hollywood, Colorado exhibit will close on February 10. A talk on 100 years of film making in Colorado by Kevin Shand, executive director of the Colorado Film Commission, will be offered at the Museum's Brown Bag and White Linen Lecture at noon on Wednesday, January 16.

Opening on January 8 at the museum and continuing until April 27 will be a traveling exhibit entitled Varian Fry: Assignment Rescue 1940-1941.Varian Fry was Harvard graduate and New York editor who heroically helped political and intellectual refugees escape from Nazi-controlled Vichy France in 1940 and 1941.

Fry volunteered for the Emergency Rescue Committee's project to bring 200 individuals from the French port city of Marseille to safety. Despite opposition and no governmental support he was able to save 2,000 people: A special program in conjunction with the Varian Fry exhibit is planned on Sunday, March 9 at 2:30 p. m.

Colorado is the home to many World War II Holocaust survivors and some of them have been invited to tell their personal stories of survival at the museum. Their talks will be followed by guided tours of the Varian Fry exhibit.

Beginning on February 26, the Aurora History Museum will open an exhibit in its Gallery Two on Art Deco! A popular design movement in the 1920s and 1930s, Art Deco gained international prominence after the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art in France in 1925.

Widely considered a form of stylish modernism, Art Deco was influenced by the art of Egypt, the Orient and even Aztec Mexico. The museum's exhibit will offer examples of how the Art Deco style was utilized in building design, furniture, domestic pieces, radios,jewelry and much more. The preserved facade of Aurora's 1931 William Smith high school (shown above) is one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the city. The Aurora History Museum's Art Deco! exhibit will be on display until June 1.

 WE'RE LOOKING FOR HELP TO RESTORE TROLLEY

Do you remember the excitement in July of 2006 when the Denver Tramway Company's 1913 Trolley Trailer No. 610 was rescued from a home that was being demolished on Aurora's East Colfax avenue? Now it's time to restore the trolley trailer so that it can be publicly displayed in Aurora and volunteers are being sought to do the work.  Many different talents are needed to restore the trolley trailer. Volunteers are being sought for equipment restoration, fund raising and public relations.

Equipment restoration needs volunteers skilled in carpentry,metalwork, machining, painting and lettering but anyone can help.
Fund Raising is needed to cover restoration costs, fabrication or restoration of arch-bar trucks and wheels, relocation and site preparation in Aurora.
Public Relations help is needed to publicize the activities of the Aurora Trolley Restoration Committee and help with activities leading to the fund-raising effort.

Volunteers who work on the trolley restoration need to be at least 18 years of age and willing to work at least 16 hours each month. They need the ability to work WIth others for the good of the project and they may work in more than one area of the restoration project.

Trolley Trailer No. 610 has been moved into a heated warehouse on Telluride street just north of Sixth Avenue. Those who are interested in inspecting the trolley trailer are invited to visit the warehouse between 10 a. m. and 2 p. m. on Tuesday, January 8.
 
Morey Miller, retired supervisor of construction at Pickens College, has volunteered to supervise the Trolley restoration project. He'll be at the warehouse on January 8 to explain the work that needs to be done.

Persons willing to volunteer to help restore Trolley Trailer No. 610 should contact Bob Eide, president of the Aurora Museum Foundation and acting chairman of the Aurora Trolley Restoration Committee. The phone number is 303-337-5131, e-mail address bobeide26(q)msn.com and mailing address 2839 Xanadu Way, Aurora, Colorado, 80014

Trolley Trailer No. 610 looked like this after
it was separated from the home that encased it

Purpose of the restoration is not to recreate an operating trolley trailer but to return Trolley Trailer No. 610 as closely as possible to its appearance when it rolled down Colfax avenue from downtown Denver to Galena street in Aurora between 1913 and 1932.

Since Trolley Trailer No. 610 was found and rescued nearly 18 months ago a world-wide search has been conducted seeking used wheels and arch-bar trucks that can be used to support the trolley when it is placed on display. Thus far the search has been only partially successful but a handful of options are being pursued.

The Denver Tramway Company"s Trolley Trailer No. 610 was sold to Aurora veterinarian Dr.Edwin Perrott in 1950 for $50. Dr. Perrott built a home surrounding the trolley trailer which became one of the home's bedrooms. When Aurora police officers Franklin Michelson and Tim Jeffery discovered the trolley during a routine inspection they notified Dr Gordon Davis, executive director of the Aurora History Museum. Dr. Davis arranged to have the trolley trailer donated to the city by William Perrott of Centennial, son of Dr. Edwin Perrott.

 MUSEUM HONORS THREE MORE HISTORY MAKERS

        
Recipeints of the 2007 History Makers awards were Joan Blocker,  John Dale and Georgia Duran

The Aurora History Museum presented three more History Makers Awards at a special ceremony at the museum on Sunday, December 2. Honored were John Dale, Joan Blocker and the Aurora Public Schools Communications Department.

Long-time Aurora educator John Dale as been one of the history museum's most active volunteers since he retired after serving 51 years as a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator and elementary school principal. John has presented programs at many historic sites including Centennial House, the Coal Creek School and DeLaney Farm. In addition to his volunteer work at the museum he serves on the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission and is active in the Colorado Historical Society, the American Political Items Collectors and the Colorado Historic Preservation and State Register Review Boards.

Joan Blocker had a leading role in the rewriting of the Aurora Public Schools third grade social studies unit to make it easier for teachers to incorporate Aurora's history into their lessons. Working with fellow teachers Carla Stonebraker, Carl Walker and Randy Wood, Joan worked with third grade students to research, write, photograph and produce a series of components detailing specific historic information about Aurora. The students learned to use digital cameras, did drawings of artifacts and wrote text for the various components. The resource was made available on the Aurora History Museum's web site for many years.

When the historic William Smith High School building was to be demolished to make way for a new West Middle School, the Aurora Public Schools Communications Department and its Chief Communications Officer Georgia Duran produced a video history of Aurora's first high school to preserve its memory. Under the guidance and support of Teacher Elaine Omann, Principal Dale Krueger and former Assistant Principal Julie Bailey, the students at West Middle School interviewed former students and staff members at William Smith High School. Some of those interviewed had graduated in the 1930's. The video interviews were shaped into a documentary spearheaded by Georgia Duran, chief communications officer for the Aurora Public Schools, who accepted the award.

Jennifer Kuehner, education curator at the history museum, presented the awards at the December 2 program. Following the presentations, the video history of William Smith high school was shown to those attending the program.

The History Makers Awards program was introduced in 2004 to honor those Aurora individuals, organizations and business finns that have made contributions to creating and preserving Aurora's history. Previous recipients of the award were former U. S. Senator William Armstrong, Mary Bell and Ellen Steele in 2004, The Aurora Historical Society, Annabelle Dunning and Bob Akerley in 2005, and The Weitz Company, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of2006 and William Perrott in 2006.

MATT CHASANSKY WILL ADMINISTER AIRPORT ART

The Aurora History Museum has lost one of its most talented staff members. Mathew (Matt) Chasansky resigned as curator of collections in late November to become the public art administrator at the Denver International Airport. "Matt has raised the standard for exhibits during his tenure at the museum by creating exhibits that have enriched the experiences of museum visitors," Gordon Davis, executive director of the Aurora History Museum, said in announcing Chasansky's resignation.

Matt had been a member of the Aurora History Museum's staff for the past five years. On September 30 of 2007 the museum closed the most notable exhibit in its almost 30 years. September 11, 2001: The First 24 Hours was assembled from the collection of the New York State Museum and consisted of the timeline of the 9/ll terrorist attack once displayed at Ground Zero, a series of artifacts recovered from the collapse of the World Trade Center and a complete list ofthe victims ofthe attacks.

Matt negotiated an agreement with the New York State Museum to bring the exhibit to Aurora. He worked tirelessly to promote the exhibit with local media, organized a 9-11 commemoration ceremony, created a podcast audio tour of the exhibit and worked with musicians and the commissioning of a classical composition that was played at the memorial service and in the exhibit gallery.

"Matt demonstrated extraordinary leadership in promoting the exhibit as he has in previous exhibits that have contributed to the museum's tradition of excellence," Dr. Davis said. "He has served as an outstanding example of a city staff member who has been creative, organized and diligent while serving Aurora with distinction. We are saddened that he has left us but I am sure all will join me in wishing him well in his new position at DIA." Dr. Davis added.

The September 11, 2001: The First 24 Hours exhibit attracted 9,198 viewers during its three-month run, the largest attendance for any Aurora History Museum exhibit. It also gained more media attention that any previous exhibit. Its sponsors were Rural/Metro Ambulance Service, Channel 9News and the Aurora Museum Foundation.

 FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 9

The annual meeting of the Aurora Museum Foundation will be held on Sunday, March 9 beginning at 1:30 p. m. at the Aurora History Museum.

Business at the annual meeting will include the election of officers and directors, presentation of an annual budget by Treasurer Jay Bobick and presentation of an annual report for the history museum by Dr.Gordon Davis, the museum's executive director.

The nominating committee headed by Carol Drollinger is proposing that the present foundation officers be re-elected for one additional year. The officers are President Bob Eide, Vice-president Harold Dunning, Secretary Drollinger and Treasurer Bobick.

The nominating committee also proposes that Dean Hughes and Kathy Sanders be re-elected to three year terms as foundation directors and that Jay Hughes be elected to a three-year term as a director of the foundation replacing David Moore.

Following the Aurora Museum Foundation's annual meeting, members will be invited to attend a 2:30 program at the museum entitled Surviving the Holocaust. Colorado is the home of many survivors of the World War n Holocaust and some of them will relate their personal stories of survival during the program. There will also be an opportunity to view the exhibit, Varian Fry: Assignment Rescue 1940-1941.

 A MESSAGE FROM MUSEUM DIRECTOR GORDON DAVIS:

2007 Was a Year Deserving of Celebration

This past year has witnessed momentous changes and challenges at the Aurora History Museum. Several years ago the museum staff set a goal of 20,000 annual visitors and in 2007 we have reached that goal with over 23,000 visitors. Over 9,000 visitors viewed a single exhibit, September 11, 2001: the First 24 Hours. We are grateful for the support of the Aurora Museum Foundation and its loyal support of the Museum and Historic Sites that make up our "extended family."

Working together, we will fulfill the mission of the museum to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the material, objects, documents and records representing the history and prehistory of Aurora, Colorado and the region. What could be more fun?

Our Education programs continue to thrive under the careful supervision of Jennifer Kuehner, curator of education. Brian Shaw in Historic Sites and Preservation has been busy supervising the $100,000 roof and HV AC grant project for the landmarked Hornbein building. Mike Thompson, our curator of collections, has successfully initiated the placement of some collection information and images on the museUm's website to be viewed by all. We will miss Matt Chasansky, the museum's curator of exhibits for the past five years, who has accepted a challenging position as administrator of the Public Art Program at Denver International Airport. Matt served the Aurora History Museum with distinction. We wish him well in his new adventure.
 
The New Year: We have many challenges that I see as opportunities to energize staff, develop enthusiastic visitors and improve the financial bottom line. The museum has great upside potential and for the museum to grow and prosper we need to work together to find new ways of exceed visitors' expectations. We must develop enthusiastic and committed visitors. To do so, the staff, foundation board and I must develop creative ways to energize the museum's "extended family" -staff, volunteers and those who support our museum and historical sites financially.

The high quality of the museum staff convinces me that our future is very bright. Our volunteers and financial supporters are always there when we need them. Our museum and historic sites give everyone -young and old- the opportunity to learn about Aurora's heritage. The museum and historic sites also give us the opportunity to learn about ourselves. Our museum and historic sites represent a special place and we have many satisfied "customers"- but a satisfied customer is not good enough. We need to exceed their expectations. I'm sure you will help us make each individual's visit to the museum or historic sites an exciting experience. Gordon Davis, executive director, Aurora History Museum

 Briefly: The Aurora Museum Foundation's Festival of Wreaths closed on December 14 with high bids on the 31 decorated wreaths totaling $970. Another $560 was paid for the undecorated wreaths bringing the total to $1,530. The brightly-decorated wreaths were displayed in the museum's Community Galley from November 6 until December 14. . . . The Aurora History Museum has scheduled its Aurora Women: Sculptors of our Community presentations for Saturday, March 15 from I to 4 p. m. The museum and Aurora women's organizations for the tenth consecutive year will honor women's contributions in social, political, educational and service endeavors that have helped build Aurora into the community that it is today. The program will be held in the city council chambers at the Aurora Municipal Center. . . . The Aurora Museum Foundation's Antique Appraisal Fairs are scheduled this year on Saturday, April 26 and Saturday, September 27. The fairs will be held at the Aurora History Museum from 9 a. m. until 3 p. m. Those wishing to receive an oral appraisal of family heirlooms may bring up to five items and pay $5 for each item. . . .Governor Bill Ritter has been invited to speak at the January 29 annual meeting of the Aurora Historical Society. If Governor Ritter is able to accept the invitation confirmation will probably not be provided until mid-January. The governor spent part of his boyhood living on a small farm on Chambers road just south of Mexico avenue and he attended St. Pius X parish school and William Hinkley high school in Aurora. The Aurora Historical Society's annual meeting begins with a potluck dinner at 6 p. m. The event will be held at the Aurora Center for Active Adults in Del Mar Park and will include the election and installation of officers for 2008. 
 

BROWN BAG LECTURES OFFER VARIETY IN 2008

The Aurora History Museum's Brown Bag and White Linen Luncheon Lectures offer a great deal of variety in 2008. The lectures are held at noon on the third Wednesday of each month in the Community Gallery at the museum. There is a charge of $3 for Aurora residents and $4 for non-residents and those attending must bring their own brown bag lunch. Members of the Aurora Historical Society are admitted to the lectures free since the society sponsors the programs.

The schedule through May:
Wednesday, January 16: A Century of Film Making in Colorado. Kevin Shand, executive director of the Colorado Film Commission, will share stories of the more than 100-year history of film making in Colorado. His talk will compliment the exhibit, Hollywood, Colorado on display in the museum's Gallery Two.
Wednesday, February 20: Stepping Back in Time: Denver Electric Trolley Heritage. This fascinating presentation by Darrell Arndt of the Denver Rail Heritage Society excites railway fans. Discover Denver's street car history, learn about the Platte Valley Trolley and discuss future historic railway projects.
Wednesday, March 20: Portraits of Preservation-Protected Lands and Ranches of Colorado's Front Range. Join author and photographer Mike Strunk as he described the land, history and people of the open space and historic ranches in the mountains west of Denver. His new book, with the same title as his talk, features stories of long-time ranching families.
Wednesday, April 16: Central City and Blackhawk; Then and Now. Join James Prochaska, executive director of the Gilpin Historical Society and Museums, for an illuminating history of Central City and Black Hawk in Colorado's mountains. Meet some of the famous people who lived there, discover the Teller and Central City Opera Houses and learn about the Gilpin Historical Society and its properties.
Wednesday, May 21: Colorado Journeys-A True Heritage Experience. How can you experience the place and activities that represent the stores and people of Colorado? Join the Colorado Tourism Office and learn about current projects in Colorado to promote cultural and heritage travel.

 CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH A CHINESE FLAVOR

The Aurora History Museum offers family entertainment with a Chinese flavor on Saturday, February 9 when it stages its Chinese New Year Celebration from 2 to 3:30 p. m. The Denver Chinese Cultural Center will present traditional folk dances, storytelling, crafts and customs in celebration of the Chinese New Year. There is a charge of $4 for Aurora residents and $5 for non-residents.

A change of pace is planned on Saturday, February 23 when the museum offers its Last Tea on the Titanic. Actress Diana Reardon will portray three survivors of the Titanic including Margaret (Molly) Brown. Guests will learn why the three were aboard the Titanic along with the remarkable details of their survival. Historical documentation of the women from different classes gives and authentic account of the three women aboard the Titanic and what their lives would be like in years to come. And the tea will be served as it would have been served on the Titanic. There is a charge of $19 for Aurora residents and $24 for non-residents.

Aurora's 117th Birthday will be observed at the museum with a free birthday party on Wednesday, April 30. There will be a magic show, train rides, face painting, Aurora Bingo and other games to entertain the party goers. Of course there will be birthday cake and prizes.

 AURORA PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETS ON JANUARY 8

Aurora's Historic Preservation Commission will have several items on its agenda when it holds its first 2008 meeting on January 8 at 6:30 p. m. at the Aurora History Museum.

The commission is currently working on a program to identify historic buildings on Colfax avenue, negotiating with the Aurora Public Schools for the possible move of the Historic Coal Creek School from the Beck Recreation Center property to a site adjacent to the new William Smith high school, and replacing the porch on the landmarked Thomas F. Gilligan House.

Meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission are open to the public.

Aurora History Museum Staff: Gordon Davis, executive director; Alice Lee Main, cultural services manager; Jennifer Kuehner, education curator; Brian Shaw, preservation assistant; Mike Thompson, collections curator; Ken Clinton, facility manager; Carol Drollinger, volunteer Sanders Museum Store manager.