Saving the Reynolds Block - Raising Funds
In 1900, the Thomkins Hardware Supply Company and a confectionery store occupied the Reynolds Block. It was also once home to the Hackley Store and Hotel. At one time the Victor Mining Stock Exchange set up its office in the building. Since 1960 the building has housed the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum. It features displays highlighting the mining heritage of Victor and the surrounding gold camp, as well as memorabilia honoring one of Victor's most famous former residents. To the rear of the building, outside, is an exhibit of mining machinery.

The Victor Improvement Association, the non-profit organization that owns the museum collection and Reynolds Block, has begun efforts to stabilize the building. Grants are being sought to help fund this massive effort.

The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum (VLTM) has been awarded its three (as of April 2010) major State Historical Fund (SHF) grants for stabilization of the museum building.

In 2008, 2009 and 2010 three phases of stabilization were completed, and now we are working on replacing the roof with a CDOT grant.

The Victor Improvement Association (VIA), which owns and operates the  to stabilize a failing north wall and sagging second floor of the building that has been the museum’s home for nearly 50 years.

Thanks to our architect Tim Stroh, grant administrator Charise Boomsma, and contractor TEPA, Phase 1 of the construction project began in late March 2009 and completed under budget and in record time by July 2009. This Phase included foundation work, repair of a failing north wall and preparation for support columns and other stabilization work. Phase 2, which includes replacement of timbers that were destroyed in a 1950s fire, was awarded Aug. 1, 2009 and was completed in early summer 2011.  Phase 3 was funded Feb. 1, 2010 and will include support columns that will bolster a sagging second floor as well storefront restoration. That project was completed early summer 2011.

The 2008 SHF grant of $208,177 required matching funds of nearly $70,000 to get the first phase underway. With the help of the Victor Elks Lodge, an anonymous donor and other groups, $15,000 was raised from a dinner/auction. The City of Cripple granted the VIA $25,000 from the historic preservation funds allotted for the Cripple Creek museum's matching funds budget. The Boettcher Foundation generously awarded the project a $20,000 grant. Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company (CC&V) granted the museum $10,000 toward the match, and The Edmund T. and Eleanor Quick Foundation awarded the museum a $10,000 grant for the stabilization work.

The community again poured forth support at miner’s dinner and auction in September of 2009, raising $10,000 for Phase 2, which will be underway this spring. Matching funds of $61,000 were needed for that project.

Thanks to the generosity of several foundations, granting agencies and outstanding community support the museum building will be saved for another 100 or more years.

In 2010 a grant from the Transportation Enhancement fund sponsored by Teller County was awarded to the museum. The $129,548 grant will be matched by in-kind administration from Teller County Road & Bridge as well as funds raised by the museum from the community fundraisers. The project will begin in the summer/fall of 2011.

The VLTM has been working on a capital plan for future work and interior restoration, thanks to a $10,000 grant from CC&V, and will be seeking funding for a new roof and exterior painting.

 With everyone’s support, special events and marketing, the VLTM was able to increase visitor numbers in 2009 by 43%, gift shop sales by 74, admissions and gold panning by 30%, and mine tour revenue by 65%. 2011 was an even better and bigger year.

Need More Info? 

For more information or to make a donation, call Nancy Hanks at 719-689-3522, Jane Mannon at 689-4044 or Ruth Zalewski at 719-689-2675 or email museum@victorcolorado.com.

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