May is Historic Preservation Month—a time dedicated to celebrating our history and heritage through historic places.

Each May and year-round, local heritage organizations like the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Historic Routt County join together with Main Street Steamboat Springs, the City of Steamboat Springs and others to honor the special places that shape the character and authenticity of Routt County, and encourage historic preservation.

“This year’s national theme is ‘Harnessing The Power of Place’ celebrating how the preservation of tangible and intangible histories translates into strengthening a sense of heritage, inspiring wonder, and connecting shared identities through community-based place-making,” said Caitlin Berube-Smith, Historic Preservation Planner, City of Steamboat Springs.

Both the Tread of Pioneers Museum, the City, and Historic Routt County are working with local historic property owners to place “History Lives Here!” signs around the city and county. “We hope to remind people that these historic places add tremendous value and authenticity to our community. Historic places are our past and our future,” said Candice Bannister, Executive Director of the Tread of Pioneers Museum.

“Historic structures not only represent our history, they also foster community pride, promote heritage tourism, and reveal real social and economic benefits for today’s communities,” said Bannister. “Historic buildings are our community’s largest and most visible artifacts, no less deserving of care and preservation as the most treasured items in a museum’s collection.”

“But we must remember, preserving history and historical properties is intentional, it is a choice, and it takes action. As a community, government leaders and policy makers, and individual property owners, we all must work together to save our heritage,” added Bannister.

The historic buildings on Lincoln Avenue, in Old Town, and throughout the county, provide valuable context and connection to our past.

While Steamboat Springs did not develop as a result of large mineral mining booms and does not boast the grand and ornate buildings of some other storied mountain towns like Aspen and Leadville, our built environment reveals our own intriguing and modest history that is worthy of celebration and preservation.

Steamboat’s heritage is what makes our town unique, competitive and memorable in the resort marketplace, and an extraordinary place to live and visit. Our irreplaceable heritage and historic resources are ultimately at risk without increased measures from our City government to protect these places and informed and committed historic property owners.

In addition to social media campaigns with tools and information about historic preservation, and historical building features, there are a variety of events and activities hosted by local historic preservation partners.

Historic Preservation Month Events Around the County:

· Ute Powwow Event May 19 at 6 PM at the Steamboat Springs High School (presented by the Tread of Pioneers Museum and Ute Tribe)

· Historic Preservation Day on May 17 at the Wildhorse Theater. Adult and family friendly preservation themed movies playing. Visit WildhorseSteamboat.org for more information. (Presented by Wildhorse in partnership with Tread of Pioneers Museum, Historic Routt County and the City of Steamboat Springs)

· Downtown Historical Walking Tour of Steamboat Springs – May 22 at noon (presented by the Tread of Pioneers Museum)

“In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create, but by what we refuse to destroy.” –John Sawhill