News Release
September 20, 2006
Dora Moore House Tour Features Humboldt Island Mansions And More
On Sunday, October 8, 2006, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Dora Moore PTSA will hold its 27th Annual House Tour, featuring Humboldt Island Mansions and more. The original owners of these mansions were the elite of the turn of the 20th century, including Governor William E. Sweet (1923-25), industrialists, yellow journalists, lawyers and anyone wealthy enough to build a mansion. While high rise apartments have sprung up to the south and east along Cheesman Park, Humboldt Island remains true to its genteel roots. These homes were never subdivided and have resisted some of the unfortunate remodeling trends of the last century. The woodwork, lighting fixtures and even the wallpaper are in their astonishing original splendor. However, new kitchens, decks, bathrooms and other additions are also on display.
The Safely House features four floors of turn of the century elegance. An electrical fire in 2001 on the third floor could have been a disaster, but due to the efforts of forty Denver firefighters, the signature stained glass and woodwork in the stairwell suffered no damage. The fire was the incentive for the current owners to update the third floor with an extended deck overlooking Cheesman Park, new bath and expanded sitting room. Without sacrificing any of the original woodwork or lighting, the first floor now has a wide sunroom that walks out on to a groomed backyard complete with pond and tree house. The basement features a second kitchen which supports the owner's love of cooking for large groups, and a lap pool for their daughter's swim training. This house is a comfortable blend of old charm with modern conveniences and intriguing art from around the world.
The former Governor Sweet's mansion is yet larger than the last mansion and celebrates its 100 year anniversary this year. Designed by the same architect who designed the current Governor's Residence at Boettcher Mansion, this home was inhabited by the Sweet family until the 1960s. The current owners have lovingly maintained the original features of the home while adding a glass sunroom and deck on the back and installing a state of the art movie theatre on the third floor complete with stadium seating. Both of the above described homes will have old photos from their originals owners on display during the tour.
The tour will also feature two or three other homes in Humboldt Island, a National Register district and the first residential district to be designated an historic district by the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission. The homes on tour represent some of the finest work and craftsmanship in Denver from around the turn of the last century.
Dora Moore School is also on tour, having won the 2004 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation. Last year, the tour raised money to remodel the school library which will be completed this summer. The profits from this house tour, co-sponsored by Fuller Towne & Country Properties, will fund Books and Bins for the library, filling it up with current resources and displays, enrichment programs, and other "extras".
Admission is $10 in advance and $15 on tour day. Tickets will be sold at King Soopers at 9th & Corona and by Moore students and their families. Please see http://moore.dpsk12.org/housetour for more information or contact Cindy Wolf (720-256-7322 or cindy@cindywolf.com).