Larkspur group receives $15k in historical preservation money

Photo byThe History Colorado

Natasha Lovato / NewsBreak Denver

(Larkspur, Colo.) Earlier this month, the History Colorado State Historical Fund awarded over $15,000 to the American Federation of Human Rights Headquarters in Larkspur.

History Colorado awarded $535,980 in grant funding to projects across the state to help offset rehabilitation costs for historic buildings, pay for surveys to identify historically significant resources, and support statewide educational opportunities.

The State Historical Fund Director Marcie Moore Gantz believes the funding will promote cultural preservation, generate tourism, and provide equitable opportunities for some of Colorado’s more rural communities.

“This round of grants represent the fulfillment of established preservation plans and the building blocks of larger projects,” she said.

Gantz added that since 1981, the preservation projects in Colorado created more than 27,000 jobs and generated $2.2 billion in Colorado’s gross domestic product.

Larkspur’s American Federation of Human Rights plans to use its $15,874 to create construction documents to plan the future rehabilitation of its historic administration building.

The construction documents are the first step in a multi-phase process to rehabilitate the building and address the construction deficiency that led to its deterioration. Specific concerns include drainage issues and repairs to the external stucco work and stairs.

“As we continue promoting and rehabilitating this building, our visitors and the town of Larkspur will see the benefits of historic preservation and how it can preserve our important cultural heritage,” said Matias Cumsille, American Federation of Human Rights president.

Constructed in 1924, the administration building serves as the headquarters of the corporate arm of a Co-Masonic fraternal order. It is a contributing resource to the American Federation of Human Rights National Register Historic District.

The building was originally part of the International Order of Freemasonry, founded by French Writer and Suffragist Maria Deraismes. The group is remembered for contributing to social reform movements and progressivism in the early 20th century.

The organization's contributions include helping establish fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal rights for all, regardless of nationality, gender, race, or creed.

Today, the headquarters continues its social advocacy with ongoing work to protect equal rights for all.