Carin Mari and Pony Express Benefit Concert
July 16, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Buena Vista Heritage Museum
The extraordinarily talented Lechner family will perform at the Heritage Museum to raise money for Buena Vista Heritage. Tickets are available at the Museum, Chamber of Commerce, area banks, and here. Adults: $15.00. Children 12 and under: $3.00. BVH members (if purchasing tickets at the Museum or on-line) $12.00. Thank you, Carin, Colin and Evan for supporting Buena Vista Heritage!
Thank you, Chaffee County Waste, for donating a dumpster and garbage service to Turner Farm this summer!
Goodbye, Art Williams
BVH lost a major supporter this June. Art Williams, an original member of the Model Railroad club, who continued to run the trains, fix problems and share the local history right up until this spring, passed away on June 25. We miss his knowledge, his dedication, and his no-nonsense care of the railroad. I miss him as a friend.
The Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, July 10, 11:00 a.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Buena Vista. Our sympathies go out to Art's family.
Spring Newsletter
From our properties to strategic planning, there's plenty going on at Buena Vista Heritage. Read the newsletter
Update on Hose Carts
We asked for funds to restore our hose carts, and you responded! We have now raised about two-thirds of the funds needed to get the wheels fixed, and they were sent off with local wagon restoration expert Charlie Abel of Woolly Bear Trading Company on April 12. Charlie works regularly with an Amish friend on such projects. As the craftsmen meet only twice a year to transport wheels and other projects, we needed to raise funds in time for the April cycle.
We still need your donations for this project. When the wheels return to us in the fall, we'll owe $600 to pay off the bill, plus we're still raising money to restore the body of the carts.
Please consider donating toward the restoration of the hose carts today! We've already received donations of $1600 for this project -- with your help we can restore both hose carts to the condition they deserve. Donations can be made online or mailed to P.O. Box 1414, Buena Vista, 81211. Pledges are welcome, too, and will help our board make decisions about the level of restoration we can afford. If you can’t send the full amount now, please let us know now what amount you can pledge to donate by August 1.
The two- and four-wheeled hose carts that have for many years graced the front lawn of the Buena Vista Heritage Museum are showing serious signs of wear. Estimates for restoring were requested on two levels: at minimum, stopping the deterioration and, ideally, full restoration. To restore just one cart at the minimal level we need to raise $1000; to restore both to the top level would take $5900.
Hose Cart Donation
Depot Restoration Continues
Buena Vista Heritage selected Older Than Dirt Construction of Salida as its contractor for 
the second phase of the Depot Restoration. This phase will restore the interior of the building to its original state, as well as installing electricity and fire alarms. Further paint analysis has been done, wall construction has begun, and the plasterer began work on April 13. The project is scheduled to be completed by winter 2010. Planning for exhibits (to be displayed in the freight room) is underway.
The budget for this phase of the restoration is $145,000. Funds came from a grants from the State Historical Fund, the Boettcher Foundation, and donations from individuals, Chaffee County, and the Denver South Park and Pacific Historical Society.
If you have an interest in this project, you won't want to miss Mike Perschbacher's presentation of his work on the exterior and interior of the building at our
membership banquet on April 24.
Online Payments
BV Heritage has accepted credit cards for many years, but now we can accept credit card transactions online. You can now pay your membership online, buy event tickets online and make a donation online.