Museums of Western Colorado’s Curator of History David Bailey completed researching, writing text, and finding historic photographs for thirty-three historic buildings designated by the Grand Junction Historic Preservation Board. Bailey was assisted by the MWC Curator of Collections and Archives, Erin Schmitz, and library volunteers Marie Tipping and Garry Brewer. Local Historian Priscilla Mangnall also assisted with building research and historic photographs. Mike Kelly of Your Sign Company created the plaque mockups and Nita Kroninger, the Museums of Western Colorado’s graphic designer, formatted them. The plaques were then approved by the owners of the historic buildings.
Curator of History David Bailey said, “This has been a great collaboration with our downtown partners and the museum which will provide new insight into the early visionaries and their buildings that grace our beautiful historic downtown.”
The Museums of Western Colorado, in conjunction with the City of Grand Historic Preservation Board, has completed the installation of the first sixteen historic information plaques on historically significant buildings in downtown Grand Junction. Two more plaques are completed and waiting to be installed. The cost of the signs was underwritten by the Legends of the Grand Valley Committee and the Grand Junction Downtown Development Association.