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Hello from the Glenwood Springs Historical Society, 

The new year is shaping up to be transformational for the Historical Society with changes to our Board of Directors, staff and the planned hiring of a new Executive Director. We are honored to welcome Corinne Diemoz on our Board. Her family’s legacy in our community will bring great perspective and we are thrilled she has agreed to share her many talents. In 2024 we updated our bylaws and initiated term limits for our Board of Directors. Accordingly, longtime serving board members Nick Daley and Rob Anderson have stepped away from the Board. In addition, volunteer coordinator and assistant director Sharon Haller retired in January. We thank them for their years of service and commitment to preserving our shared history. 

At the end of February, we will be advertising the position of Executive Director to replace Bill Kight as he retires in April. Bill has served our organization for 9 years and we thank him for his service and the expertise he has brought to the historical society. Please see the attached parting words from Bill.

Upcoming Activities Thursday February 13 we launch our speaker series at the Glenwood Library welcoming Angie Parkison to share stories of early Glenwood from her book Hope and Hot Water. Please plan to attend and bring your friends! More information here. 

Looking forward: March 13 Bill Kight will share the history of the Ute Trail. Stay tuned for more details and additional speakers in the coming months.

We will also be kickstarting guided tours of downtown Glenwood Springs and Hotel Colorado. The tours will begin Memorial Day weekend and run through the summer.

Fundraising In December we mailed an end-of-year newsletter as part of our 2024 fundraising campaign. We are grateful for those who contributed. Thank you! Our primary funding has largely been provided by Glenwood Springs City Council and the 2018 voter approved Acquisition and Infrastructure (A&I) Tax. For our 2025 budget, City Council allocated $80,000 for our operation from the A&I Fund and challenged us to raise up to an additional $40,000 of which the City would match dollar for dollar from the Tourism Fund. This financial support is vital, and we thank City Council for believing in our mission. 

Get Involved We have plans for 2025 and would love to engage with you! Please reach out to Brenda Grumley through history@rof.net if you are interested in helping greet museum visitors, fundraising, or work for tips as a downtown tour docent. 

Thanks for your continued support, Jamie LaRue, Tyler Benton, Kevin Gibson, Lisa Passmore, Diane Delaney, Corinne Diemoz, Brenda Grumley.

Glenwood Springs Historical Society Board of Directors 

Passing the Torch: Honoring the Volunteers Who Keep the Heartbeat of Our History As I prepare to retire after nine years as the executive director of the Frontier Museum and Glenwood Historical Society, one question persists in my mind: Has my me as a leader of this organization helped prepare it to better face the future? 

It would be easy to point to the numbers—how revenue has grown, how those funds have been used to improve the museum. These statistics are outlined in our annual report, presented to the Glenwood Springs City Council and the public this past January. But the true measure of our success is far more human. It is found in the hearts and hands of our volunteers. 

Volunteers, the lifeblood of any nonprofit, are often simply described as people “we can’t do without.” How about: “What work do we do ‘with’ them?” The we includes Sharon who during my tenure signed up, cared for and coordinated them all. Let me tell you about the dedicated individuals who have made these nine years possible.

Debra and Corrine are our longest-serving volunteers, having greeted visitors at the museum for years, sharing their knowledge of Glenwood’s history. Our front desk people’s warmth and expertise make every guest feel welcome. When Debra is unavailable, Brett is always there ready with a hearty greeting and an answer to any question, his encyclopedic knowledge never failing to impress. Add Stacee as another front desk ace. 

Martha’s talents extend far beyond the front desk. A retired newspaper editor and former executive director of a prominent valley nonprofit, she works at the front desk and is our data entry whiz and garden caretaker. Her insights have been invaluable to me as a trusted advisor. 

Dale, a volunteer with a passion for uncovering the past, digs through our archives with the meticulous care of someone who understands the value of every forgotten document. His work will bring Glenwood’s rich history to the public, making it accessible not only now but for generations to come. 

Then there’s Debbie, who carefully scans our large collection of photographs, ensuring they are preserved digitally for future use. Thanks to staff archivist Peg and intern Ari, we are also building a digital catalog that will connect our photo collection with Garfield County Libraries, opening new doors for research and access to our region’s history.

There is Casey, Danielle who recently joined us, anytime-you-need-me Keith and Nick the avid reader of history who is sadly moving from Glenwood. Lisa, your driving in from Silt on Saturdays to do front desk duty is exemplary. 

All 34 of this year’s “ghostwalk” actors, guides and helpers who gave their me and braved the cold October nights to bring history alive have my utmost respect and gratitude. 

These volunteers, both past and present, are the true legacy of the Frontier Museum and Glenwood Historical Society. They are the heartbeat of this organization, and they are the ones who will carry it forward, ensuring its future success. 

To each of you who has volunteered your me, your passion and your expertise: I thank you. I will miss you. You are the measure of what we have accomplished together. Thank you for making these nine years so meaningful, and for giving the museum the foundation it will need to meet the future. 

Bill Kight Executive Director