Fund-raising Efforts

Watch us grow our matching funds...

Window Challenge

Your Donations Save Windows to the Past! Dear supporter of the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum – We Need You! Reserve a window in your name – or the name of your choice – and help us restore the wonderful Reynolds Block/Museum Building in Downtown Victor. More info...

Phase 3 Funded

The State Historical Fund (SHF) awarded the museum 104,196 toward Phase 3 stabilization on Feb. 1, 2010. This means that work on making the museum safe, more useable and spacious will begin this winter. We will also have second story windows restored. Thanks SHF!!!

Phase 2 Funded

The State Historical Fund (SHF) awarded the museum 194,613 toward Phase 2 stabilization on Aug. 1, 2009. This means that work on making the museum safe, more useable and spacious will begin this winter. We will also have second story windows restored. Thanks SHF!!!

Roof and Storefront

We applied to the federal Transportation Enhancement Program thru CDOT for $161,935 in funds to replace our roof and restore the 1899 storefront of the museum.This grant was cut by the federal government.

Capital Plan

Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company in 2009 & 2010 donated $10,000 toward the creation of a Master Plan for capital improvements at the museum. We are currently working with an architectural firm to define needs for the future.

Victor Lowell Thomas Museum

POB 238

Victor, CO 80860

museum@victorcolorado.com.

Museum Hours 2010

Daily Memorial Day thru Labor Day Weekend 9:00-5:30 p.m.

Weekends September thru Columbus Day

2010 Admission Prices

$4 Adults 

$3 Seniors

$2 Children 12 & Under

$3 Group Rate for 20 or more.

Call 719-689-5509 for group tours or email museum@victorcolorado.com.

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 here. 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 third major State Historical Fund (SHF) grant for stabilization of the museum building. Feb.1 the SHF awarded $104,196 for Phase 3 stabilization, which is a continuation of the structural work that has been ongoing for the past year. The grant also includes storefront restoration – the large front windows on the north and west first floor will be restored as well as wood trim and doorways.

The major project to stabilize the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum began in early 2009, thanks to the generosity of several foundations, granting agencies and outstanding community support. Work to save the museum will continue through 2009/2010 thanks to the SHF for grants for Phase 2 ($194,613) and Phase 3 and an $80,000 grant received in December 2008 from the Gates Family Foundation.

 In 2008 the Victor Improvement Association (VIA), which owns and operates the museum, was awarded a State Historical Fund (SHF) grant for Phase 1 of the 3-phase project 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 will be underway this spring.  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 will be underway this summer.

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.

Phase 3 was awarded Feb. 1, 2010 and will be underway later in the year of 2010. Matching funds of $41,000 have been raised to complete the third phase.

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%.

Thanks to the CC&V, the museum will be open seven days a week this summer, starting May 29, and offer an expanded schedule for modern mine tours. More detailed information about the tours will be announced as time goes on.

 The summer VLTM event schedule will also include an opening weekend kick off tour of the historic Strong Mine and Gold Coin Club, sponsored by the Southern Teller County Focus Group, as well as Gold Rush Days Gold Panning, Modern Mine tours, Steve Veatch’s Discover Victor Tour, and a second annual book signing.

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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