Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery

May 22: Annual Members Meeting

May 12, 2010 – 7:28 pm

You are invited!
Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery
2010 Annual Members Meeting and Reception

When: Saturday, May 22nd, 2010, 10 a.m. ­– noon

Where: Holy Transfiguration of Christ Cathedral, Community Hall

Address: 349 E 47th Ave, Denver, 80216
(map is available at bottom of this page)

You are invited to attend the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery annual meeting and election of new board members. Join us to meet the board of directors, hear about our initiatives, and find out how to get involved in supporting Denver’s oldest cemetery.

The annual meeting will include information on our monument archive program (Doc-A-Block) and our long-term planning initiative (Riverside 2020), a brief update from our Committee Chairs, and opportunities for volunteer involvement. We will also elect up to five new board members*.

Agenda:

10:00
Annual Meeting with Committee Updates
Annual Meeting and Election of Board Members Agenda

– Welcome and Acknowledgements
– Introduction of Current Board
– FHRC mission, history, and goals
– Program Updates (Walk-A-Bout, Doc-A-Block, and Riverside 2020)
– Request for Interest in Board Positions
– Election of New Directors*
– Member Comments and Questions
– Adjourn

Coffee, Juice, and Light Snacks will be served.

RSVP by sending an email to friends@friendsofriversidecemetery.org

Note *Call for New Board Members: We are looking for up to five people to serve on the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery Board of Directors. The new board members will be elected to serve three year terms. New members will serve in an at large capacity, but will be encouraged to help with particular committees, including Preservation, Communications, History and Research, and Events.

If you are interested in serving on the board of the Friends of Historic Riverside, please contact Hugh Graham via email at hugh@hughgrahamcreative.com or by phone at 303-458-6077

Map to Holy Transfiguration Cathedral:

View Larger Map

The Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery is a volunteer run 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to increasing awareness and preservation of Denver’s oldest and most historic cemetery.

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Riverside Halloween Tour Wins Best of Denver!

April 30, 2010 – 3:47 pm

The Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery are the proud recipients of a Best of Denver Award from Westword for “Best Halloween in a Cemetery – 2010”. Here’s what Westword had to say about our event:

Halloween Cemetery Tour and Spirits of Riverside Art Show

When the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery wanted to raise money to help restore Denver’s oldest cemetery to its former splendor, they brought a host of historical city figures back to life on Halloween. Period-clad reenactors revived such characters as Sand Creek Massacre good guy Silas Soule, turn-of-the-century temperance worker and police matron Sadie Likens, African-American social climbers Barney and Julia Ford, brewer Philip Zang and many others as tour participants trekked through the burial ground; afterward, an FHRC-sponsored Spirits of Riverside art show reception at the Wynkoop Brewing Company featured Riverside RIP Ale and Riverside-inspired works by local artists.

Truth be told, we weren’t doing the tour to raise money (it was a free tour, after all), but we did manage to raise awareness. Thanks again to everyone who made it such a memorable event, including all our volunteers, the actors, and the more than 600 people who attended.

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11th Annual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run-Walk November 26-28, 2009

November 22, 2009 – 11:44 am

On Saturday, November 28th the 11th Annual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing cialis buy canada Run will once again visit Riverside Cemetery for an honoring ceremony.

“This year’s Healing Run is dedicated to memory of Captain Silas S. Soule whose courageous acts led to an investigation of the actions of the Colorado Cavalry by a congressional committee.”

145th Anniversary of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre
November 29, 1864
A commemoration for the victims and survivors of the massacre and for healing ancestral homelands.

Thursday November 26th
9:00 a.m. Pipe Ceremony and prayer at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, 18 miles northeast of Eads in Southeastern Colorado
Runners will be blessed and commencement of ‘Healing Run’ to Denver

Friday November 27th
7:00 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony – TBD
Continue ‘Healing Run’ to Denver
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Vigil at the Denver Art Museum Wheel sculpture, 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver

Saturday November 28th
8:00 a.m. Honoring Ceremony for Captain Silas Soule, Company D 1st Colorado Cavalry, U.S. Army and Lt. Joseph A. Cramer, Company K 8th Ohio Cavalry, U.S. Army at Riverside Cemetery, 5201 Brighton Boulevard, Denver
9:00 a.m. Continue ‘Healing Run’ from Riverside Cemetery to 15th and Arapahoe
4 miles distance – RUNNERS MUST REGISTER TO RUN
9:50 a.m. At 15th and Arapahoe —near the site where Soule was assassinated—the runners will join with walkers and continue on to the State Capitol Building
11:00 a.m. Presentation at the Colorado State Capitol Building (West steps)
12 Noon Reception for Sand Creek Healing Run/Walk Participants at the Colorado
Historical Society, Boettcher Auditorium, 1300 Broadway, Denver

NOTE: ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST WALK THE LAST 1-MILE

For More Information:
Otto Braided Hair (406) 749-4325
Bill Tall Bull (303) 695-4175

Financial contributions to support activities in Denver are still being accepted – make contributions payable to:
Colorado Historical Society
Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run/Walk Planning Committee
Attn: William Convery
1300 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203

Absolutely no drugs or alcohol allowed. This event is produced in conjunction with the Fairmount Heritage Foundation. For more information, visit the Sand Creek Massacre Healing Run/Walk Facebook Group Page.

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Highlights of Riverside Tour Booklet

October 30, 2009 – 10:48 am

The Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery has created a booklet for the tours tomorrow – given all the snow, we assume that some people won’t be able to make it (we’re still considering our options in terms of how to take care of cemetery “tour”-ists – we’ll have an update this afternoon). So, we’re uploading our “Highlights of Riverside” tour booklet to the website, so you can use it at your leisure.

Download the Highlights of Riverside tour booklet in Acrobat PDF format; feel free to share it and print it as you see fit.

If all you need is a quick map of the cemetery, here you go:

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Governor Bill Ritter declares October 31st as Riverside Cemetery Day

October 29, 2009 – 4:37 pm

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has declared Saturday, October 31st, 2009, to be “Riverside Cemetery Day“. The Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery applaud the Governor’s commitment to finding “cooperative support and innovative solutions to preserve this valuable asset to Colorado’s rich history.”

Here’s the text of the proclamation:
Riverside Cemetery Day
October 31, 2009

WHEREAS, Riverside Cemetery was founded in 1876 and has the distinction
of being among the first cemeteries in the Rocky Mountain West; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, the cemetery was designated a National Historic
District and holds a fundamental place within Colorado history as the
longest continually operating cemetery within Denver city limits; and

WHEREAS, many of Colorado’s most famous pioneers found their final
resting place at Riverside, including Augusta Tabor, Barney and Julia Ford,
Silas Soule, three territorial governors – John Evans, Samuel Elbert, and
John Routt – and numerous mayors, entrepreneurs, and civic figures; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, Riverside Cemetery was listed as one of Colorado’s
“most endangered places” by Colorado Preservation Incorporated as it
faces irrigational and decay difficulties; and

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado encourages individuals to help raise
awareness in order to generate cooperative support and innovative solutions
to preserve this valuable asset to Colorado’s rich history;

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby
proclaim October 31, 2009,

RIVERSIDE CEMETERY DAY

in the State of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the
Executive Seal of the State of
Colorado, this twenty-eighth day
of October, 2009

Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor

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October 2009 Events: Halloween Riverside Cemetery Tour, Art Show

September 18, 2009 – 2:45 pm

Please note: This Event was in 2009. For a 2010 tour, visit the Colorado History Website.

October 2009 is Riverside Month

Celebrate Denver’s oldest, most historical, and most interesting cemetery during the month of October with a historical tour, an art show, and a celebratory beer brewed especially for Riverside by the Wynkoop Brewing Company.

Halloween Cemetery Tour October 31st 2-4 pm:
The Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery are presenting a tour of Riverside on Saturday, October 31st, from 2 to 4 pm. Join us for Colorado stories told by actors and experts about some Colorado’s most important historical figures, including John Evans, Augusta Tabor, Silas Soule, Clara Brown, and many others. This is an entertaining way to experience the environment at Riverside in a way the whole family will enjoy. Guided tours will leave every 15 minutes between 2 and 3:15pm; there is no charge, and all are encouraged to attend. *Dress for a chilly October hike*
Please let us know you’re coming by emailing us at events@friendsofriversidecemetery.org. We’ll do our best to accomodate everyone as efficiently as possible. There is no charge for the tours.

Art Reception at the Wynkoop October 31st, 5-7 pm
Following the tour, stop by the Wynkoop to warm-up and view exceptional artwork inspired by the landscape at Riverside. Read more about the “Spirits of Riverside” Art Show.

Wynkoop Beer: In conjunction with Riverside Month, the Wynkoop Brewing Company will be offering a special seasonal beer, Riverside RIP Pumpkin Ale.

The Wynkoop Brewing Company is located at 1634 18th Street at the corner of 18th and Wynkoop in lower downtown Denver. More info at wynkoop.com

Riverside Cemetery is located just two miles north of downtown Denver at 5201 Brighton Boulevard.

For more information and directions, visit friendsofriversidecemetery.org.

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"Spirits of Riverside" at the Wynkoop Brewing Company

September 18, 2009 – 2:41 pm

Celebrate Riverside through Art (and Beer) at the Wynkoop Brewing Company

The Wynkoop Brewing Company, in conjunction with the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery, is hosting an exhibition of exceptional artwork inspired by the landscape at Riverside. The show will be presented on the second floor of Denver’s oldest brewpub From October 10th through November 15th.

Join us for a reception on October 31st (Halloween) from 5-7pm in conjunction with the “Spirits of Riverside” exhibit. The reception is free and open to the public. Participating artists include:
Sabin Aell
John David Davenport
Sharon Feder
Izah Gallagher
Sherry Hern
Jill Hadley Hooper
Sandy Marvin
Jackie McFarland
Matt O’Neill
John Schoenwalter
Jeff Starr

Many of the artworks will be for sale, and a portion of the proceeds goes to support the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery.

Wynkoop Beer: In conjunction with the celebration of Riverside during the Month of October, the Wynkoop will also be offering a special seasonal beer, Riverside RIP Pumpkin Ale.

The Wynkoop Brewing Company is located at 1634 18th Street at the corner of 18th and Wynkoop in lower downtown Denver.

Riverside Cemetery is located just two miles north of downtown Denver at 5201 Brighton Boulevard.

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History & Mystery Tour, October 2nd and 3rd

September 18, 2009 – 2:25 pm

On October 2nd and 3rd 2009, the Fairmount Heritage Foundation will be hosting evening tours to “unravel the history and mystery of Riverside Cemetery under the October full moon.”

There will be four tours each night, at 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30.

Tickets are $12.00 for Adults and $10.00 for Children.

Reservations are required.

Make your reservation by calling 303-322-3895 or emailing heritage@fairmountheritagefoundation.org

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Upcoming Doc-A-Block Training Sessions: 9/19 and 10/17

September 15, 2009 – 9:59 am

The Doc-A-Block program is moving forward with two new training sessions, on Saturday September 19th and Saturday October 17th. Both sessions will last from 10 am to noon.

Our group of volunteers are making great progress documenting the more than 35,000 monuments at Riverside, but we are still in need of others who want to ‘Doc-A-Block’. Through this program you will learn how to photograph the monuments, document the inscriptions, and analyze the condition of the materials (whether sandstone, limestone, marble, granite, or other), set GPS coordinates, and upload the information to the doc-a-block website.

Each volunteer will be given a section of the cemetery which they can document on their own schedule – at the end of the day we intend to have a comprehensive resource for the history and condition of Denver’s oldest and most historic cemetery.

To register for either of these training sessions please send an email to our Doc-A-Block guru, Kate Barnes, at kate@friendsofriversidecemetery.org.

Through this program, volunteers from the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery will create a digital archive of the more than 35,000 monuments at Riverside Cemetery. Volunteers are trained in how to photograph the monuments, document the inscriptions, and analyze the condition of the materials (whether sandstone, limestone, marble, granite, or other), set GPS coordinates, and upload the information to the doc-a-block website.

If you are interested in other upcoming volunteer activities, send your information to volunteers@friendsofriversidecemetery.org and we’ll let you know what’s coming up.

Special thanks to Sue Weatherman and Kate Barnes for their great efforts in making this training happen.

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In Memoriam: Father Joseph Hirsch

August 30, 2009 – 2:35 pm

It is with great sadness that we received the news of the death of Father Joseph Hirsch, the Dean of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ Cathedral in Globeville. Father Joe was a fixture at Riverside, whether conducting a service or tending to the graves in orthodox section of the cemetery.

Father Joe, along with his wife Paulette, has long been a tireless advocate for Riverside, for the congregation, and for the Globeville community.

Both Father Joe and Paulette have supported the efforts of the Friends of Historic Riverside through their advise, their membership in our organization, and by allowing our group to use the community hall at the church for our annual meetings.

Among his other accomplishments, Father Joe was the driving force behind the Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days, held in Argo Park just across from the church, an event that uses the best food at any festival in Colorado to bring visitors to their neighborhood.

Father Joe was also a regular at community planning meetings, and could be counted on to advocate for a neighborhood that has been too often overlooked in the planning process. Though he was a fierce fighter for causes he believed in, he engaged each person with a unique combination of humanity and kindness.

Our deepest condolences go out to Paulette, the Hirsch family, their friends and the congregation of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral.

More information on Father Hirsch and his family can be found on the cathedral website, www.transfigcathedral.org

-Hugh Graham for the Friends of Historic Riverside Cemetery

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