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Gaze into Fort Collins' past: Historic Homes Tour this Saturday
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When you pass by beautiful old homes on tree-lined streets, do you wish you could see inside and learn more about these stately dwellings? This Saturday, you get your chance! Poudre Landmarks Foundation offers two history tours on September 12: the 31st annual Historic Homes Tour and the Vintage Vagabonds Trailer Tour. See inside nine historic local buildings and six vintage travel trailers. The two tours are separately ticketed and occur simultaneously, with the trailers parked at a few of the homes on the tour. Home tour tickets are $25, and trailer tour tickets are $10 (includes admission to all trailers). For detailed information, visit poudrelandmarks.org, or click these nifty buttons to purchase tickets:
Attend a history lecture this Thursday: On September 10, 7-8:30 p.m., lovers of historic architecture can attend the "Architectural Darwinism" lecture, a fascinating exploration of how houses evolve over time and what their evolution reveals about their past. Speakers include local history writer Barbara Fleming and Poudre Landmarks Foundation board members Pat Nelson, Robin Stitzel, and William Whitley. The lecture is at the Carriage House, 108 N. Meldrum St. Seating is limited to 25. Tickets $10. Purchase online:
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Vintage trailers: the original "tiny homes"
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The "tiny house movement" has grown enough to gain attention from TV networks and big-name news organizations. The HGTV network has several television series focused on diminutive dwellings, and Huffington Post has a whole section of its website dedicated to them. In honor of this Saturday's Vintage Vagabonds Trailer Tour, let's look briefly at the history of what might be considered a forerunner of today's tiny home: the vintage travel trailer.  Like the modern-day tiny house, the vintage trailer is full of clever design features to make the most of a small living space. According to Wikipedia, travel trailer use in the U.S. traces to the early 1920s, and the people who used them were called "tin can tourists." The tin-can analogy naturally brings to mind the Airstream trailer, first built in 1929 by Wally Byam. Airstream is the oldest manufacturer in the travel trailer industry, according to Wikipedia. These trailers are well known for their shiny, rounded aluminum bodies. The Airstream shape dates back to the 1930s and is based on designs created by Hawley Bowlus, who was involved in creating Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis airplane.
Airstream trailers are included in this Saturday's Vintage Vagabonds Trailer Tour, along with models from other manufacturers, including Aljoa, Aristocrat, and Red Dale. On the tour, you'll see cozy caravans dating from the 1940s to the 1970s and ranging in size from 10 to 24 feet. The Vintage Vagabonds Trailer Tour coincides with the 31st annual Historic Homes Tour this Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The two tours are separately ticketed: $10 for the trailer tour and $25 for the home tour. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit poudrelandmarks.org.
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The Avery House needs YOU
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 Join an enthusiastic group of history lovers who relish sharing the history of the Avery House with tour guests. (Vintage attire is fun but not required!) Poudre Landmarks Foundation is recruiting for Avery House docents. Docents volunteer for three hours once a month on Saturdays and Sundays. Training is included. Being a docent is a great way to learn about the Avery House and meet many interesting people from Fort Collins and all over the world.
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Margareth Merrill Memorial Gazebo
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Margareth Merrill, who was active in many roles at the Poudre Landmarks Foundation for decades, passed away in February. On a lovely summer day in July, Margareth's family and friends gathered at the Avery House to celebrate her legacy and dedicate the Avery House gazebo to her memory. During her many years of service to PLF, Margareth was a crucial part of PLF's mission to preserve local history. This past spring, as donations to the Avery House Margareth Merrill Memorial Fund began to come in, Margareth's husband, Dr. Gil Merrill, suggested that perhaps PLF could use some of the funds to repair and improve the gazebo. The Avery House Guild voted unanimously to name the soon-to-be-restored gazebo in Margareth's honor.
Work on the Margareth Merrill Memorial Gazebo was completed in June. The updated gazebo has already been in use at several weddings and for our annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration. The gazebo is a highly visible monument and will be the site for countless events in the future, a lasting tribute to an irreplaceable leader and friend who inspired us all by her example.
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Poudre Landmarks Foundation Board of Directors
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Thom Tisthammer, President | Jennifer Kutzik, Secretary | Nancy DuTeau, Treasurer | Tom Boardman | Carol Brescher | Cheryl Donaldson | Doug Ernest | Norm Evans | Lynda Lloyd | Kimberly Miller | Pat Nelson | Jacques Rieux | Robin Stitzel | Alexandra Wallace | William Whitley
Staff
Jennifer Beccard, Exec. Director | Linda Harty, Admin. Assistant
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108 N Meldrum St
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970-221-0533
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