SPONSORED PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Annual Activities
Gold Rush Days Parade Entry
Members and friends of Victor Heritage Society march in period costume in the annual Gold Rush Day Parade on the 3rd weekend in July. Gather at the Sandlin House on west Victor Avenue before the parade and join the fun by following the Victor Heritage Society Banner along the parade route. Everyone is welcome!
If you are looking for a period costume, a selection of vintage clothing may be found at several Victor businesses including Prospectors Pick, On the Fragile Edge, Antiques & Stuff, Muleshoe Antiques, and Victor Trading Company.
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Annual Victor Heritage Calendar
Mint Bar Painting by George Foott--2016 Calendar Cover
In partnership with the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining Company, the Victor Heritage Society publishes an annual calendar--with historic photos for each month illustrating Victor's rich heritage. Calendars for 2010 and successive years have become collector items.
The 2018 Calendar featured a color vintage Victor souvenir postcard on the cover and 12 rare historical photos contributed by LaJean Greeson.
The 2017 Calendar featured 13 rare and historical Victor photos contributed by Nancy Galbraith, LaJean Greeson, and Dorothy Delina Porter.
The 2016 Calendar featured photos of artwork by Cherry Hunter and George Foott from a collection donated by Jim & Joyce Vandever.
Submissions of historic photos and artwork that might be considered for inclusion on future calendars are most welcome. Your originals will be scanned and returned. Alternatively, send scanned copies of your original photos or artwork (saved as JPEG files) attached to an e-mail addressed to VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.
The 2018 Calendar featured a color vintage Victor souvenir postcard on the cover and 12 rare historical photos contributed by LaJean Greeson.
The 2017 Calendar featured 13 rare and historical Victor photos contributed by Nancy Galbraith, LaJean Greeson, and Dorothy Delina Porter.
The 2016 Calendar featured photos of artwork by Cherry Hunter and George Foott from a collection donated by Jim & Joyce Vandever.
Submissions of historic photos and artwork that might be considered for inclusion on future calendars are most welcome. Your originals will be scanned and returned. Alternatively, send scanned copies of your original photos or artwork (saved as JPEG files) attached to an e-mail addressed to VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com.
Victor Historic House and Building Tours
Attend the annual Historic House and Building Tour during Gold Rush Days--the third weekend in July.
See how the interiors and exteriors of Victor's Gold Rush Era structures have been preserved and adapted to current uses.
Home and building owners are available to provide information about the history and architectural features of each structure.
Pictured are a few of the homes and buildings featured on recent tours.
See how the interiors and exteriors of Victor's Gold Rush Era structures have been preserved and adapted to current uses.
Home and building owners are available to provide information about the history and architectural features of each structure.
Pictured are a few of the homes and buildings featured on recent tours.
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Click HERE for photos of the properties featured on our 2013 -- 2018 tours.
Annual Landmark Awards
The Victor Landmark Award is presented to recognize and encourage outstanding achievements in exterior preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or compatible new construction that contributes to the enhancement of historic areas of the City of Victor, Colorado.
The award is presented to the owner of record in recognition of work accomplished on a particular building. Recipients are recognized at a General Membership meeting where they present the history as well as an architectural description of the structure and receive an award plaque that can be attached to the exterior of the structure.
The award is presented to the owner of record in recognition of work accomplished on a particular building. Recipients are recognized at a General Membership meeting where they present the history as well as an architectural description of the structure and receive an award plaque that can be attached to the exterior of the structure.
Award nominations are accepted annually by the Victor Heritage Society's Landmark Awards Committee. Nominations may be submitted by any resident, business owner, professional representative, Victor Heritage Society member, or interested party. The Landmark Awards Committee reviews all nominations and recommends those that will be invited to apply for the Landmark Award. Criteria for selecting award nominees may be found in a booklet available from the Heritage Society -- "Victor, Colorado: The City of Mines with Architecture Worth Preserving, An Informational Guide to Preserving Our Architectural Heritage".
Nominees recommended by the Landmarks Committee receive a letter of notification along with an application. To complete the nomination process and receive the award, nominees must (1) complete and return the landmark application form to the Landmark Awards Committee by the designated deadline, (2) provide a history and architectural description of the property, and (3) attend or send a representative to the annual Victor Heritage Society Landmark Awards Presentation Meeting.
Click here to see recipients of Victor Landmark Awards on the following page.
Nominees recommended by the Landmarks Committee receive a letter of notification along with an application. To complete the nomination process and receive the award, nominees must (1) complete and return the landmark application form to the Landmark Awards Committee by the designated deadline, (2) provide a history and architectural description of the property, and (3) attend or send a representative to the annual Victor Heritage Society Landmark Awards Presentation Meeting.
Click here to see recipients of Victor Landmark Awards on the following page.
Victor Celebrates the Arts Heritage Award
Quick Draw VCTA Event in Wallace Park
Now in it's 18th year, the Victor Celebrates the Arts Festival attracts En Plein Air artists from throughout the nation to Victor to paint on site during the week before Labor Day. The paintings are displayed in a juried art show and sale held in the historic Victor Elks Lodge ballroom on Labor Day Weekend. Victor Heritage Society sponsors $250 worth of cash prizes for the two paintings in the annual show that best depict Victor's Heritage.
Thanks to all who participate as artists, patrons, and volunteers helping with the many duties necessary to make this annual event such a great success. VHS members are well represented in all these important facets of the annual show and sale which brings thousands of visitors to Victor and continues to develop a body of art work that helps document, preserve and promote the rich heritage of Victor and the Gold Camp for future generations.
Thanks to all who participate as artists, patrons, and volunteers helping with the many duties necessary to make this annual event such a great success. VHS members are well represented in all these important facets of the annual show and sale which brings thousands of visitors to Victor and continues to develop a body of art work that helps document, preserve and promote the rich heritage of Victor and the Gold Camp for future generations.
Victor TommyKnockers Downhill Race Car
Victor TommyKnocker Downhill Race Car.
The Victor TommyKnockers Downhill Race Car is already a classic--and soon it will be a legendary part of Victor's Heritage. It was built and sponsored by Robert and Maxine Marchese--Heritage Society members and charter members of the Victor TommyKnockers (a group of part-time residents organized to support and promote Victor).
Watch of details to be announced about upcoming downhill races. Be sure to attend to cheer on the City's ace driver and mascot as new speed records are set while racing down Victor Avenue. Yes it can outrun a donkey--at least on the downhill straightaway.
Watch of details to be announced about upcoming downhill races. Be sure to attend to cheer on the City's ace driver and mascot as new speed records are set while racing down Victor Avenue. Yes it can outrun a donkey--at least on the downhill straightaway.
Silver Dollar Contest at the Historic Victor Bowling Alley
Click on photos to enlarge.
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Carolyn and John Van Sciver, Victor Heritage Society members, open their Historic Victor Bowling Alley during Gold Rush Days. For a small donation to support Heritage Society projects, contestants can win a silver dollar by being the first to bowl a perfect frame (three strikes and you are a winner).
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Look closely, the ball is heading down lane 4.
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Vintage pin setting machine at the Historic Victor Bowling Alley.
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Looks like the young lady in purple could be going home with a silver dollar.
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Other Sponsored Activities & Programs
Historic Victor Walking Tour Signage
The Victor Heritage Society provided research and local matching funds to obtain a grant from the Gold Belt Tour / Scenic Byways Program to develop signage for the Historic Victor Walking Tour.
A walking tour brochure and a series of 15 signs tell the unique history of Victor and the hardrock mining Gold Camp. Look for the signs on slant-boards mounted on posts along street curbs. The Walking Tour Brochure is available from the Visitors' Center in the Alta Vista Railroad Depot, the Victor-Lowell Thomas Museum, and from mailboxes attached to some of sign posts.
A walking tour brochure and a series of 15 signs tell the unique history of Victor and the hardrock mining Gold Camp. Look for the signs on slant-boards mounted on posts along street curbs. The Walking Tour Brochure is available from the Visitors' Center in the Alta Vista Railroad Depot, the Victor-Lowell Thomas Museum, and from mailboxes attached to some of sign posts.
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The Victor Historic Walking Tour signs are included in a nationwide Historical Marker Database. The text of most of the walking tour signs and photographs of many of the featured historic buildings can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Horse race on Victor Ave which is lined with buildings and a crowd enjoying the event. Photo (taken after 1905) shared from the collection of Linda Irene Tingvik.
STEP BACK IN TIME WITH GLIMPSES OF HISTORICAL PHOTOS FEATURING VICTOR & THE SURROUNDING MINING DISTRICT: A Power Point Presentation by La Jean Greeson sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society (September 15, 2018).
An enthralled overflow crowd attended this Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by La Jean Greeson in the theater at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. La Jean's power point presentation featured favorites from her amazing collection of rare historical photos of Victor and the nearby Gold Mining District. CLICK HERE to view YouTube Videography of the event made by Marion Zachary of Blue Sky Designs.
An enthralled overflow crowd attended this Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by La Jean Greeson in the theater at the Cripple Creek Heritage Center. La Jean's power point presentation featured favorites from her amazing collection of rare historical photos of Victor and the nearby Gold Mining District. CLICK HERE to view YouTube Videography of the event made by Marion Zachary of Blue Sky Designs.
RAILROADS IN THE WORLD'S GREATEST GOLD CAMP, An Evening With Mel McFarland Sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society (August 11, 2018).
An overflow crowd attended this Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by Mel McFarland at Victor's Ag & Mining Museum. Mel's presentation, enhanced with a collection of historic photos projected on slides, featured the trains that once served the Mining District.
At its peak, the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District was served by three railroads:
An overflow crowd attended this Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by Mel McFarland at Victor's Ag & Mining Museum. Mel's presentation, enhanced with a collection of historic photos projected on slides, featured the trains that once served the Mining District.
At its peak, the Cripple Creek and Victor Mining District was served by three railroads:
- The Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad came up from Florence through Phantom Canyon,
- The Midland Railroad came from Colorado Springs over Ute Pass to Divide where the Midland Terminal Railroad branched off to reach the Gold Camp via a route similar to Highway 67, and
- The Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railroad, also known as "The Short Line", offered the most direct path between Colorado Springs and the Mining District via a route now called Gold Camp Road.
Mel McFarland (standing) presented a fascinating slide show and talk to members and guests of the Victor Heritage Society gathered at Victor's Agriculture & Mining Museum. This building once housed the Victor Ford Dealership.
Mel McFarland (standing in photo to left) described the boom times when the Florence & Cripple Creek RR, the Midland Terminal RR, and the Short Line RR came to the Mining District, how they vigorously competed with each other, and what eventually led to the demise of each.
Mel is retired teacher well known for his newspaper columns and books about regional trains.
For sixteen years he also enjoyed working as a conductor and engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
A historic Midland Railroad caboose in the back yard of his home is yet another example of his passion for preserving the history of the train lines that served the Pikes Peak region and other parts of Colorado.
Mel is retired teacher well known for his newspaper columns and books about regional trains.
For sixteen years he also enjoyed working as a conductor and engineer on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
A historic Midland Railroad caboose in the back yard of his home is yet another example of his passion for preserving the history of the train lines that served the Pikes Peak region and other parts of Colorado.
Chautauqua actor Ron West portrays James Burns, co-founder of the Portland Mine. The free Chautauqua presentation held at Saint Victor's Catholic Church was sponsored by the Victor Heritage Society as a community service to help preserve our hard-rock mining heritage.
CHAUTAUQUA PRESENTATION FEATURING JIMMY BURNS, Co-founder of the Fantastic Portland Mine (July 1, 2017).
A large group attended a Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by Ron West, a Chautauqua actor who portrays James Burns, the co-founder of the Portland Mine. “Mr. Burns” recounted the story of how the one-time partners and friends, James Burns and James Doyle, filed a tiny claim on Battle Mountain in 1892 for their Portland Mine. With the advice and financial backing of Winfield Scott Stratton, the Portland eventually developed into the largest underground gold mine in the District.
The Portland Mining Company was incorporated in 1894 with James Burns as President and a Board of Directors that included James Doyle, Winfield Scott Stratton and several other mining moguls with widely divergent philosophies about treatment of employees, managing ore reserves, paying dividends, and conducting business. "Mr. Burns" related the fascinating story of the ensuing personality and policy conflicts, what happened to the “two Jimmy's” and their oft-times embattled associates, and the fate of the Portland Mine--once deemed "Colorado's Richest Gold Mine".
The story included those who subsequently gained and lost control of the mine, who became mayor of Victor, who served time in jail, who became president of the First National Bank in Colorado Springs and built an opera house there, ... and much more.
A large group attended a Victor Heritage Society sponsored presentation by Ron West, a Chautauqua actor who portrays James Burns, the co-founder of the Portland Mine. “Mr. Burns” recounted the story of how the one-time partners and friends, James Burns and James Doyle, filed a tiny claim on Battle Mountain in 1892 for their Portland Mine. With the advice and financial backing of Winfield Scott Stratton, the Portland eventually developed into the largest underground gold mine in the District.
The Portland Mining Company was incorporated in 1894 with James Burns as President and a Board of Directors that included James Doyle, Winfield Scott Stratton and several other mining moguls with widely divergent philosophies about treatment of employees, managing ore reserves, paying dividends, and conducting business. "Mr. Burns" related the fascinating story of the ensuing personality and policy conflicts, what happened to the “two Jimmy's” and their oft-times embattled associates, and the fate of the Portland Mine--once deemed "Colorado's Richest Gold Mine".
The story included those who subsequently gained and lost control of the mine, who became mayor of Victor, who served time in jail, who became president of the First National Bank in Colorado Springs and built an opera house there, ... and much more.
In 1892 James Burns and James Doyle staked out a tiny triangular piece of unclaimed land on Battle Mountain that was barely larger than a tenth of an acre. With help of more knowledgeable and powerful friends, like Winfield Scott Stratton, their Portland Mine grew to 183 acres with three separate shafts producing millions of dollars of gold. While the partners became rich in the process, they were no longer friends and eventually others gained control of the mine they discovered and developed.
At the conclusion of his presentation, Ron West answered questions and explained that he took on portraying “Jimmy Live” because Burns has been forgotten by most people today. Most would say they never heard of Burns, but if they had been around during his time they certainly would have because Burns did not fit the mold of the typical mine owner. “He ran his mine the way he wanted to, not the way many other mine owners and board members thought he should.” Ron considers it his mission to bring Jimmy Burns back and remind people that there were others, besides Stratton and Penrose, who made a significant difference in the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District as well as the entire Pikes Peak Region.
City Directories and Sanborn Maps are available at the Victor Library on South 3rd Street.
Donated Research Materials for the Victor Public Library--Sanborn Insurance Maps
To help those researching the location of historic homes and buildings in Victor and the surrounding Gold Camp, the Victor Heritage Society donated a set of large (17" x 23") Sanborn Insurance Maps for use in the Victor Public Library (located at 124 S 3rd Street, phone 719-689-2011).
The Sanborn Map set includes plats for 1894, 1896, 1900, 1908, and 1919. The large plat maps show (for lots, block by block), the location and footprint of homes, businesses, churches, public buildings, streets, railroad lines, nearby mining claims, and much more. In addition to the City of Victor, for some years the set of maps also provide information about nearby towns such as Goldfield, Independence, Altman, and Midway.
Please contact us if you have research materials or photos you would like to make available through the Victor Heritage Society or the Victor Public Library. We can scan photos or materials that you would like to share, so you can retain the originals as keepsakes if that is your preference.
To help those researching the location of historic homes and buildings in Victor and the surrounding Gold Camp, the Victor Heritage Society donated a set of large (17" x 23") Sanborn Insurance Maps for use in the Victor Public Library (located at 124 S 3rd Street, phone 719-689-2011).
The Sanborn Map set includes plats for 1894, 1896, 1900, 1908, and 1919. The large plat maps show (for lots, block by block), the location and footprint of homes, businesses, churches, public buildings, streets, railroad lines, nearby mining claims, and much more. In addition to the City of Victor, for some years the set of maps also provide information about nearby towns such as Goldfield, Independence, Altman, and Midway.
Please contact us if you have research materials or photos you would like to make available through the Victor Heritage Society or the Victor Public Library. We can scan photos or materials that you would like to share, so you can retain the originals as keepsakes if that is your preference.
Oral History Training Workshop & Archived Materials
Victor Heritage Society sponsored an Oral History Training Workshop conducted by Rick and Katherine Scott Sturdevant at the Elks Lodge on May 23, 2009. Kathy and Rick shared their research techniques and expertise, some of which can also be found in two books which Kathy has authored--Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History, and Organizing and Preserving Your Heirloom Documents.
Click HERE to View Selected Materials Archived in the VHS Collection of Gold Camp Memories: Family Connections & History.
Victor Heritage Society sponsored an Oral History Training Workshop conducted by Rick and Katherine Scott Sturdevant at the Elks Lodge on May 23, 2009. Kathy and Rick shared their research techniques and expertise, some of which can also be found in two books which Kathy has authored--Bringing Your Family History to Life Through Social History, and Organizing and Preserving Your Heirloom Documents.
Click HERE to View Selected Materials Archived in the VHS Collection of Gold Camp Memories: Family Connections & History.
- Please contact us to share histories, memories, or family connections to Victor and the World's Greatest Gold Camp. Be known for the memories you preserve and share. It's your legacy.
- Stories should be written in your own words and accompanied by relevant photographs (when possible).
- For additional information, contact our Oral History Coordinator--Shirley Beach. Archiving these materials is important to preserving your heritage for future generations.
Kathy Sturdevant -- Directing Oral History Workshop at Victor Elks Lodge.
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Rick Sturdevant -- Oral History Workshop Sponsored by VHS.
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Memberships and Contributions to Nonprofit Partners
Victor Heritage Society is an Associate Member of the Coalition of Pikes Peak Historic Museums and has made contributions to the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum, Victor's Agriculture & Mining Museum, Ute Pass Historical Society, Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition, Victor Celebrates the Arts Festival, Victor Trolley Group, Victor Elks Lodge Elevator Fund, Save the Victor Miners' Union Hall Fund, and Friends of St Victor's Catholic Church. We invite you to support these worthy causes and organizations.
Victor Heritage Society is an Associate Member of the Coalition of Pikes Peak Historic Museums and has made contributions to the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum, Victor's Agriculture & Mining Museum, Ute Pass Historical Society, Teller Historic and Environmental Coalition, Victor Celebrates the Arts Festival, Victor Trolley Group, Victor Elks Lodge Elevator Fund, Save the Victor Miners' Union Hall Fund, and Friends of St Victor's Catholic Church. We invite you to support these worthy causes and organizations.
Nonprofit Pass-Through Grant Sponsor / Administrator
Victor Heritage Society has served as a nonprofit pass-through sponsor / administrator to enable several qualifying building owners to obtain lower matching fund grants:
Victor Heritage Society has served as a nonprofit pass-through sponsor / administrator to enable several qualifying building owners to obtain lower matching fund grants:
- Antlers Hotel--administrator for stabilization assessment grant after the building was ravaged by a fire.
- Page Building--administrator for restoration grant.
- Pikes Peak Power Building--facilitator helping convey ownership of the derelict, abandoned building from the present-day power company to an architect / contractor who maintained the historic character of the exterior of the building while adaptively re-purposing the interior of the building to become unique loft apartment units.
Colorado History Bus Tour Host
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Victor Heritage Society members in period costume organized an orientation for overnight visitors on a bus tour sponsored by the Colorado Historic Society on October 29, 2013. Ray Drake and Marilyn Fay provided historic and present day perspectives on life in the City of Victor.
Main Street Coordinator, Becky Parham, summarized recent program achievements and distributed bags of promotional materials. Sandy Honeycut, City Clerk, provided a guided tour showcasing the historic City Hall building. |
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Historic Photo Fair & Archives
The public was invited to bring historic Victor / Gold Camp photos along with stories about the photos for a weekend display and reminiscing at the Historic Victor Elks Lodge. The Heritage Society provided equipment to reproduce the photos for display at the "fair" and to create captions indicating the photographer, the owner, and information of interest about the photos. Our technical expert, Terri Stierhoff, scanned and digitally recorded over 135 photos during the event.
Participants were able to share their photos and stories with all who attended the fair while retaining custody of their originals. Those who chose to donate copies of their photos to the Heritage Society collection could also have them displayed at the recently restored City Hall and have them archived for future viewing. A $100 prize was awarded for the photo receiving the most first place ballots during the public display at City Hall.
Our historic Victor / Gold Camp Photo Archives also includes donated photos from the Joe Vanderwalker Photo Collection of hardrock mining structures, as well as several other donated family photo collections.
Selected photos from our archives have been featured on our annual Victor Heritage Calendar.
If you have photos to be preserved in our archives, please contact us: VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com. We can scan your photos if you prefer to keep the originals.
The public was invited to bring historic Victor / Gold Camp photos along with stories about the photos for a weekend display and reminiscing at the Historic Victor Elks Lodge. The Heritage Society provided equipment to reproduce the photos for display at the "fair" and to create captions indicating the photographer, the owner, and information of interest about the photos. Our technical expert, Terri Stierhoff, scanned and digitally recorded over 135 photos during the event.
Participants were able to share their photos and stories with all who attended the fair while retaining custody of their originals. Those who chose to donate copies of their photos to the Heritage Society collection could also have them displayed at the recently restored City Hall and have them archived for future viewing. A $100 prize was awarded for the photo receiving the most first place ballots during the public display at City Hall.
Our historic Victor / Gold Camp Photo Archives also includes donated photos from the Joe Vanderwalker Photo Collection of hardrock mining structures, as well as several other donated family photo collections.
Selected photos from our archives have been featured on our annual Victor Heritage Calendar.
If you have photos to be preserved in our archives, please contact us: VictorHeritageSociety@gmail.com. We can scan your photos if you prefer to keep the originals.
Historic Quilt Show
The Victor Heritage Society sponsored a historic quilt show at the Elks Lodge. Participants displayed 24 unique quilts and shared stories about the quilt makers and owners. The People's Choice prize winner was a magnificent crazy quilt made by from a former resident of Elkton and now owned by Shawn Frizzell.
The Victor Heritage Society sponsored a historic quilt show at the Elks Lodge. Participants displayed 24 unique quilts and shared stories about the quilt makers and owners. The People's Choice prize winner was a magnificent crazy quilt made by from a former resident of Elkton and now owned by Shawn Frizzell.
Antique Treasure Hunt
Victor Heritage Society sponsored its own version of the Antique Road Show. Participants brought items for identification, appraisal and display at a weekend exhibit at the historic Elks Lodge.
Victor Heritage Society sponsored its own version of the Antique Road Show. Participants brought items for identification, appraisal and display at a weekend exhibit at the historic Elks Lodge.
Fund Raiser & Support for the Victor~Lowell Thomas Museum
The Victor Heritage Society sponsored a fund raiser for the Victor-Lowell Thomas Museum. Katherine Scott Sturdevant, noted regional historian at Pikes Peak Community College and expert on the Colorado Labor Wars, spoke to a group of over 100 guests at the Elks Lodge about events surrounding the 1903-04 Labor Wars in Victor and the Gold Camp.
The Heritage Society also donated funds to the campaign to restore the windows in the museum building.
The Victor Heritage Society sponsored a fund raiser for the Victor-Lowell Thomas Museum. Katherine Scott Sturdevant, noted regional historian at Pikes Peak Community College and expert on the Colorado Labor Wars, spoke to a group of over 100 guests at the Elks Lodge about events surrounding the 1903-04 Labor Wars in Victor and the Gold Camp.
The Heritage Society also donated funds to the campaign to restore the windows in the museum building.