Congratulations to the 2020 Stephen H. Hart Award Winners!

• Crossan’s M&A Market receives Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation
• Magic Mountain Archaeological Site receives State Archaeologist Award
• Chimney Rock National Monument receives State Historic Preservation Officer Award
• Bosler-Yankeee House receives Hart Award
• Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum receives Hart Award

History Colorado began presenting the Stephen H. Hart Awards in 1986 to recognize outstanding projects and individual achievements in archaeology and historic preservation throughout Colorado.  Stephen H. Hart was Colorado’s first State Historic Preservation Officer.
From this select group of awardees, one exceptional project is chosen every year to receive the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation.  First presented in 2003, the Governor’s Award recognizes a project or person that exemplifies the best in historic preservation, in honoring historic design and craftsmanship, and in adhering to proper preservation techniques and ethics.

The State Historical Preservation Officer's Award recognizes a person, project, or program that enriched and educated others about our state’s history and heritage, while the State Archaeologist's Award goes to a person, project, or program that demonstrates a commitment to archaeology and historic preservation.

The 2020 Hart Awards were held on January 31, 2020 at the History Colorado Center.

2020 Stephen H. Hart Awards for Historic Preservation

The Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation

Crossan’s M&A Market

A rural, community-based organization volunteered many hours tirelessly fundraising and promoting the rehabilitation of Crossan’s M&A Market, raising more than $630,000 in seven years to save one of the oldest mercantile buildings in the State of Colorado.

Partners: Friends of Crossan’s Market, Historic Routt County, Town of Yampa

State Archaeologist Award

Magic Mountain Archaeological Site

Denver Museum of Nature and Science collaborated with PaleoCultural Research Group to initiate new research at the site, inviting the public to join in the research, and expanding public impact through education programs for state youth groups and public broadcasting funding. The State Historical Fund provided $307,278 to spearhead the project. 

Partners: Denver Museum of Nature and Science, PaleoCultural Research Group

State Historic Preservation Officer Award

Chimney Rock National Monument 

United States Forest Service works in collaboration with Pueblo and other Indigenous Tribes to create culturally informed site management and interpretation of the archaeological site. The State Historical Fund provided $178,391 to spearhead the ethnographic project. 

Partners: San Juan National Forest, Anthropological Research LLC, Chimney Rock Tribal Design Review Committee

Hart Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Bosler-Yankee House

Colorado pioneers Ambrose Bosler built  the first house in North Denver’s Highland neighborhood, and donated land to the City of Denver for what would become Highland Park,  across the street from the house. The property was locally landmarked by the City of Denver in 1984, rescued and rehabilitated from neglect through a rare public-private partnership, receiving one of Mayor Michael Hancock’s 2018 Design Awards. 

Partners: Historic Denver, Inc., Steve & Jan Davis, Form + Works Design Group, City & County of Denver

Hart Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum

A former blacksmith’s shop and Conoco gas station, the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum transformed a historic, but dilapidated building in the town’s historic district into a thriving museum dedicated to Colorado history. 

Partners: Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, Jessica Reske (Architect)