Monday, August 13, 2018

The Byers Evans House Museum, Denver, Colorado


The Byers Evans House Museumlocated at 1310 Bannock Street, is a Denver landmark that reflects the character of two early and important Colorado pioneer families. It was built in 1883, by William Byers, the founder of the Rocky Mountain Newsthe first newspaper printed in Colorado; from 1859 until it ceased publication in  2009.  Its first issue of the newspaper was printed on a printing press from Omaha, Nebraska, that Byers had hauled by oxcart during the start of the Colorado Gold Rush. ( All photos will enlarge if clicked on)


Postcard of the house in the gift shop

The house was sold to William Gray Evans, the oldest son of Colorado's second territorial governor, John Evans. in 1889, who had several additions made to it over the years. William Evans lived in the home with his wife Cornelia Lunt Gray and their four children, John, Josephine, Margaret, and Katharine. William's mother, Margaret Patten Gray Evans, former first lady of Colorado, moved into the home in 1900 with her unmarried daughter, Anne Evans. Members of the Evans family continued to live in the home until 1981 when it was donated to the Colorado Historical Society. along with the entire contents of the house. 


The house has been restored to the 1912–1924 period and includes approximately 90% of the original furniture, glassware, china, and other household items belonging to the Evans family.


All visits to the Byers Evans House Museum are by a guided tour, but one is able to walk into each room and examine closely all its contents, while the tour guide recounts the history of the house and its former occupants.  It is a visit back in time as you see the polished antique furniture, large book collection, ornate fireplace mantels, patterned wallpapers and period artwork and early period electronics such as a record player and radio.


Family crystal, silver, and fine china on display.


Memorabilia was displayed as if it were perfectly frozen in time.


The Evans daughters were skilled in leather tooling and also did weaving, needlepoint, and painting.


Anne Evans devoted her life to the founding and support of some of Colorado's largest cultural institutions, including the Denver Art Museum, the Central City Opera, and the Denver Public Library

Anne collected Native American, Puebloan Art, and Spanish Colonial Art and in 1925 she donated a large portion of her collection to the Denver Museum of Art, making it one of the first art museums in the nation to collect this genre of artwork.


The Center for Colorado's Women's History is also located at the Byers Evans House Museum


World War I era women's uniforms.

A collage of the various informational posters on display. The Center sponsors programs which include talks, workshops, book clubs, and tea times, to encourage conversation for guests to discuss women’s issues, both in the Rocky Mountain states and worldwide.


Inspirational World War I posters

The Byers Evans House Museum is definitely an interesting place to tour, as it is full of interesting history and memorabilia. Enjoy a visit, and take a walk back in time!


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40 comments:

Su-sieee! Mac said...

That was wonderful for the family to donate the house and everything in it. Very generous.

Jeannettestgermain said...

WHat a great post about these two families, Pat. Their interests were versatile, and what an influence of female contribution! Was pondering why women's contribution is not such a big fight in Holland and England, and I wonder if it was because both countries has several queens ruling the country? anyways, many thanks for sharing with All Seasons the influence these two families had! Have a great week!

Gillena Cox said...

Very interesting share.
Happy Mosaic Monday

much love...

Maggie said...

Like yourself Pat, I love to visit Museums like this and see how they represent life from a bygone age. The Byers Evans house looks like a fascinating place to take a tour, I think I could spend all day looking at it all!.
Happy Mosaic Monday, Maggie.

From the Kitchen said...

I enjoyed my tour with my first cup of coffee. Thank you for the informative visit.

Best,
Bonnie

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It is great that the family donated the house to the historical society. It is a beautiful home to tour. The stove is amazing and I love the artwork. Thanks for sharing your visit. Enjoy your day and new week ahead!

Snap said...

Thanks for the tour of the Byers Evans House Museum. I love old, historic homes. When we lived on Galveston Island we always took part in the historic home tour. So much fun learning about the history of the home. I wonder what you'll be up to this week!!!!!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

That looks like my kind of museum. I love it when old houses are preserved and then decorated with period furnishings so that one can get a sense of the place. Great post!

candy said...

I love to visit museums like this and see history. Found you on Grandma's Briefs Link Party.

Shelbee on the Edge said...

I love posts like this that give us a glimpse inside interesting landmarks and museums. Especially since there is no way we could ever visit them all in our lifetimes. Thanks so much for sharing! It looks like a very fascinating place to visit!

Shelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Tom said...

...a beautiful house with a wealth of history! Thanks Pat for stopping by, please come again.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love visiting old homes. It's fabulous that it was gifted with the furnishings. Beautiful photos!

Vee said...

Looks like a wonderful home to visit. I know that antiques have fallen way out of favor in general, but not with me. I love seeing them. Lots of interesting history as well.

carol l mckenna said...

Fascinating photos of history ~

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Happily they were not people who threw much out! What an an amazing collection of goods,it must have been fascinating to see everything close up.

NanaHood said...

This is so awesome! I was a history teacher. Thanks for sharing!

Lorrie said...

I'm so glad these old houses and ways of life are being preserved for us to learn from and enjoy. It's always interesting to read and see how others before us have lived their lives. The home looks beautiful and well-presented. Thanks for sharing with us.

Linda W. said...

So wonderful to tour historic homes restored with artifacts from the time period.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

I love re-visiting Denver through your blog!

Al said...

You've found another interesting place here. I love the old posters.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love the details and ornate designs in the older homes and even in the dishes.

ellen b. said...

It really does look interesting. Happy week to you!

A Colorful World said...

This is one of my favorite periods of history and I loved every frame, showing the contents of this awesome house! Would love to visit there one day. Great post!

grownchildren.net said...

I loved the photo of the World War I era uniforms. The Marjorie Meriweather Post museum in Washington D.C. had an exhibit a few years ago of Marjorie Post's clothes over the years--she led a long and active life. Like the uniforms youo showed, her clothes told a tale of changing life styles for women. post even had special clothes for days she went out to do volunteer work in poor neighborhoods. To say nothing of her ball gowns and dresses she wore to board meetings! What a story our clothes tell about us.

Angie said...

This is a place I would definitely like to visit - I am thrilled by the fact that 90% of the contents are original - that is unique! And what a bonus to have the women's history exhibit there as well - my daughter is passionate about women's rights and I think she would really enjoy this aspect of the museum. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Enjoyed this tour Pat! Have not been to this particular home, but always appreciate such places as it is such an enjoyable way to learn history... giving you a feeling of what it would have been like back then (though I probably would have been a servant girl)..... The Woman’s History Museum is a great addition. BTW, we used to buy that newspaper from the RV Park box every day for the first few years we visited our CO kids (they moved there in 1998 or 99, about the same time as we started FullTime Rving.). There used to be two really good Denver papers. Sigh! Times gone by!

Fun60 said...

I would love to visit and step back in time. Seems they have doneva really good job of displaying everything. A great tour.

Jeanie said...

Oh Pat, this is wonderful. I love historical museums that take us back to those days with wonderful displays of life in another time. Your photos are terrific. This is one I'd put on a Denver visiting list!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a fabulous tour!
I enjoyed your photographs very much. The house is beautiful and so much history.

All the best Jan

Lady Fi said...

Fascinating place!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Thank you! This is an interesting tour I think I'd like to take! Must try to plan it for our next visit to CO. Wishing you well!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow, that really was a trip back in time. That stove!!

peppylady (Dora) said...

Sure is a fancy table

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Looks like a totally cool museum! Love the Native American pottery. Your description about "frozen in time" fits perfectly. Have a great weekend!

diane b said...

Its great how the family left everything inside. It certainly pinpoints a time in History. Lovely house

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

What a fascinating post with such great pictures. I love it when old houses are preserved like this. It makes modern day visitors feel as if they are a part of history.

Anonymous said...

Love all of the photos and learning about the museum. Thanks so much for sharing with us at the Whimsical Wednesdays Link Party!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Sounds wonderful! I love touring places like this. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a wonderful place. I have always wanted to visit Colorado.

Mary K. said...

Suchan interesting museum Pat. It is always fun to go back in time and see how people lived back in the day.