Article Contributed on: 6/19/2008 9:07:48 PM
The Conifer Heritage Festival is scheduled for June 28 from 11 - 7 and June 29 June from 11 - 4 to celebrate the 90th birthday of the Yellow Barn and the 60th anniversary of Elk Creek volunteer Fire Department
Nearly 150 years ago teamster wagon roads connecting Denver, Evergreen and Bailey converged at Junction at what became known as Conifer. A well built during the Civil War still stands sentry at this junction of toll roads where it is edged by the Jefferson County Landmark, The Yellow Barn.
Built in 1918 by
John and
Jeanette Mullen from a Sears kit made of cypress wood, it still stands today as a monument to the ingenuity of the early Colorado settlers, while echoing stories of the Gold Rush, Confederacy, Pony Express, Father Dyer,
Jesse James, the
Reynolds Gang, and 1870 English chronicler
Isabella Bird; midst today's lyrical voices from the Child Garden at the Yellow Barn.
From this corner the heritage of Conifer's past can be traced along the byways among the old barns that are standing and functioning with modern day uses while framing stories of emigration and settlement in this land of the Ute Indians and prehistoric remnants of dinosaurs along the Great Dike.
This village community of neighbors lead by Rudi Long created the Elk Creek volunteer Fire Department in May 1948 using salvaged trucks and equipment from WWII "because it was necessary..." recalls Betty Fields Long who was born in Conifer over 80 years ago.
In the spirit of promoting local connections the 1st Conifer Heritage Festival will showcase the talents of 55 artisans, musicians and storytellers. Exhibitions of culture archeology, paleontology, and history will be displayed by Dinosaur Ridge and the Morrison Natural History Museum, Conifer Historical Society and Museum, Hiwan Homestead, Rocky Flats Cold War Museum and
Katie Dix will present her vintage handkerchiefs alongside the historical collection of the Humphrey Memorial Park and Museum.
Exhibits from the Jefferson County Historical Commission will highlight the historical context of the county from Arvada to Golden-the first territorial capitol-to Ken Caryl to Morrison to Indian Hill to Evergreen to Conifer to Pine and Buffalo Creek.
Lariat Loop Scenic & Historic Byway, the Conifer Trails Committee, and Open Space will feature the connections for travel in this scenic area of Jefferson County.
The Conifer Public Library will have painting stations for children to explore the history around them and photographer
Sandy Sela-Smith will record the historic day with old time photos with celebrated Coniferites who were part of the local culture nurtured at the Yellow Barn or built community through volunteering at Elk Creek Fire Department.
This event hosted by the Knit Knook will showcase traditional fiber arts and hands on activities to experience spinning and old fashioned sock-making; and Raven's Restaurant now the new home of the feted piano from the Yellow Barn invites all to tickle the keys or indulge in a piece of Cherry Pie from the recipe made famous in 1935 at Conely's Pie Shop.
Mike Strunk will be on hand with his historic portraits of land preservation and will autograph his new book. The Evergreen Camera Club will showcase the latest documentation of our area and exhibitions of preservation will be showcased by the Jefferson County Historical Commission and local preservation efforts will be presented by event sponsor www.PreserveTheYellowBarn.org.
Conifer Historical Society and Museum has exhibits featuring the 1894 Pleasant Park Schoolhouse and Grange along with a collection of vintage antique automobiles. To highlight the rural beginnings the local 4H club will host a Petting Zoo.
So come for Yellow Barn Birthday Cake! And toast the Elk Creek Fire volunteers who serve 15,000 residents in Conifer...Let us thank them personally.! Bring a friendly mood for fun and meeting your neighbors from Denver down-the-hill or "up in our hills". Celebrate the legacy of Conifer Past and the Conifer Future.
Come to the Conifer Heritage Festival! It will be the biggest community event in Conifer this summer sponsored by Hunt Properties and The Village at Conifer-Aspen Park.
To get there:
(25577 Conifer Road, King Soopers Shopping Center). at the courtyard at Raven's. Go South on Highway 285 past the yellow Midway House at Meyer Ranch to mile marker 238 turn right.
For more information, call Paula Hutman at 303-697-7329
ConiferStoryChat@aol.com