Colorado Kicks-Off New HistoriCorps Program

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 in Saguache

Volunteers Needed!

Denver-Colorado Preservation, Inc., the U.S. Forest Service and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado are officially launching the new HistoriCorps program on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 with two projects in the town of Saguache and volunteers and preservation partners from across the state are invited to participate.

HistoriCorps is a public/private partnership modeled after community service programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps that engages a network of volunteers and professionals to preserve and rehabilitate historic places.

This kick-off project includes a collaborative effort between HistoriCorps and Colorado Preservation, Inc.'s Endangered Places Program in the town of Saguache, Colorado - whose 4 th Street Commercial District was named to the List of Colorado's Most Endangered Places in 2009.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with the revitalization of this important, historic town and can work on one or both of two projects. The HistoriCorps project involves removing and replacing rotten vigas on buildings in the historic U.S. Forest Service Complex, in addition to scraping and painting windows. The Endangered Places Program crew will be painting several historic buildings on 4 th Street, as well as clearing vegetation and debris from vacant lots.

This HistoriCorps project begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 with a sign-in and discussion of the scope of work to be completed. Work on the buildings is scheduled from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and will be followed by a barbeque and street fair where a proclamation will be read by the Mayor of Saguache.

For more information or to RSVP please contact: Jonas Landes, HistoriCorps Manager ( jlandes@coloradopreservation.org) Patrick Eidman, Endangered Places Program Coordinator ( peidman@coloradopreservation.org) or by phone at (303) 893-4260.

###

YOUR EFFORTS MATTER:

The Rio Grande National Forest is located in south central Colorado east of the Continental Divide. Portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west are encompassed by the Forest boundaries. The San Luis Valley, a rich agricultural area, lies between these mountains.

The Saguache Ranger Station complex, located in the San Luis Valley, was constructed in 1939, serving as a ranger residence, bunkhouse, and garage. With assistance from the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Forest Service designed and built this Pueblo style complex of three buildings, characterized by their rustic architecture and labor-intensive composition. District Ranger Joseph H. Kay was likely the first person to occupy the site. Currently, it is a working Forest Service facility that serves for half of the year as temporary quarters for the Ranger District's seasonal workforce. Forest Service buildings express the ideals of the agency, such as simplicity and harmony with nature. Visitors to the Saguache Forest Service Complex can choose to be far removed from civilization and surrounded by some of Colorado's least explored backcountry in just a matter of minutes. This facility is located in the tiny, quiet town of Saguache, Colorado with a population of just over 500. The town was formally incorporated in 1874, represented by buildings on the 4 th Street Business District dating back to this time. Historic buildings provide a tangible link to our past. This helps us to establish a sense of orientation about our place in time. We can learn from the past, and through preservation of historic buildings, we can continue to benefit from the accomplishments of those who came before us.

What you Need to Know

HistoriCorps Project

Welcome to the HistoriCorps Saguache Ranger Station Work Day. This is the first work project sponsored by HistoriCorps, and staffed by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. We are dedicated to preserving historic buildings on National Forest System Lands.

Project Arrival and Registration

Consider leaving Friday night so you are ready to go on Saturday. There are a few hotels in town or consider staying at nearby hot springs. No formal gatherings or meals will be held on Friday, you are on your own.

Rise and Shine

You will need to check-in at the registration table which is at the site of the project (450 Christy Avenue --corner of Christy Avenue and 5th Street) and complete any paperwork such as your liability waiver. Having pre-registered online on VolunteerOutdoors.net will allow you a few more minutes of shut-eye since you will have provided most of the required information ahead of time. If friends of family members with you have not pre-registered, they will need to allow sufficient time to complete their registration materials.

Be sure to grab your work gloves, sunscreen, and extra layers of clothes. Don't forget to fill your water bottles.

Crew Assignments

There will be two or three work stations that you will be encouraged to work at. The work stations are: log shaping and restoration of deteriorated log ends, repainting, and prepping and painting historic windows. Once your crew has been filled with volunteers, such as yourself, your crew leader will get you started. He or she will review the project work, explain why VOC has chosen to be a part of this stewardship effort, and go over safety procedures for the day.

The Work Day

You and your crew will work about 6 hours on Saturday. The work is balanced with many breaks including a lunch break and frequent water breaks. If you need to take a break, feel free to do so, staying at your comfort level. We want your VOC volunteer experience to be fun, rewarding, and educational.

Saturday Celebration

You've worked hard; we know it and we thank you! We will be holding an informal barbecue dinner. The dinner will be held on 4 th Street, the historic heart of Saguache. You'll have a chance to meet and talk with other volunteers, make new friends, and learn more about HistoriCorps and VOC.

Meals

· Snacks, water, and dinner will be provided by HistoriCorps. Vegetarian meal options are available. If you have special dietary needs, it is best to bring food to meet those needs.

· Lunch and breakfast are not included in this workday, a PDF including meal options has been included in this posting.

*VOC Travel Guide section

Directions from Denver/Colorado Springs

From Denver: (3 hours 30 min)
Take Hwy 285 S toward Fairplay for 163 miles,
turn left at 5 th Street in Saguache

From Colorado Springs: (3 hours)
Take US 24 West approx. 80 miles, turn left at US 285 approx 60 miles,
turn left at 5 th Street in Saguache

Project Schedule

8:30 am Registration and presentation of work plan for the day
12:00-1 pm Lunch on your own
4:30 pm Work Ends
5:00 pm Dinner and Recognition