USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fifth Award Presentation in New Mexico

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fifth Award Presentation in New Mexico

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Historic Native American Adobe Village -- the Oldest Inhabited Community in North America! As we entered the state of  New Mexico this sign welcomed us, and "Land of Enchantment" describes it perfectly! [caption id="attachment_3383" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The sign as we crossed the border into New Mexico[/caption] Before I tell you about the fascinating place that is the subject of my award painting,  here are some views of the New Mexico landscape. [caption id="attachment_3384" align="aligncenter" width="450"] On the road in The Land of Enchantment[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3385" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The ruins of a historic Adobe Building in New Mexico[/caption] One tends to associate historic preservation with old historic buildings in architectural styles such as Federal, Colonial, Victorian, Craftsman etc, but long, long before any of these buildings broke ground, the Acoma Pueblo…
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USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

USA Historic Preservation Tour — Historically Preserved Rock Formations in Colorado!

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Restored Old Homes in Historic Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, Colorado Prior to arriving in Colorado Springs we had to traverse the Great Plains of Midwest America. You can really see how they came to be called that.  Endless expanses of wide open space!  You could almost see the buffalo herds roaming the plains as they used to in days gone by, with Indian hunters in fast pursuit!  And imagine what it must have been like for new settlers coming across the plains in wagons to make their home there and start a new life! Now that would take some courage. Today this is cattle grazing country mainly as it is too dry to grow crops.  One could see the odd ranch house from time to time, but otherwise is…
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USA Historic Preservation Tour –  Fourth Award Presentation and Restored Craftsman

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Fourth Award Presentation and Restored Craftsman

Leisa Collins Historic Preservation Award
Old Craftsman Home Restored in Independence, Missouri Retiring from a career in management with a large regional insurance company, my next awardee Diane Rueter took on a full time project when she purchased a dilapidated Craftsman home on Delaware Avenue in Independence, Missouri. Here is the “BEFORE” photo. This is what is looked like when Diane purchased it. [caption id="attachment_3333" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Old Craftsman Home in Independence, MO, prior to renovation[/caption]  It was a far cry from when it was originally built in 1915 for the Houchen's family by a well known local architect, Clifton B. Sloan. It was featured in this 1917 issue of American Builder, which describes the building as “well balanced and attractive”. [caption id="attachment_3334" align="aligncenter" width="328"] Article in "American Builder" from 1917 re Craftsman in Independence,…
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USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

USA Historic Preservation Tour – Through Nebraska and into Missouri

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The next leg of our journey was in a south west direction, leaving Iowa and briefly touring through Nebraska heading for our next Historic Preservation Award Event  in the city of Independence, Missouri.  Similar to its eastern neighbor of Iowa, Nebraska  is part of the mid-western corn belt.  However from time to time the tilled corn fields were broken up by patches of gorgeous purple lavender fields. [caption id="attachment_3318" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Driving through purple fields in rural Nebraska[/caption] Arriving in Independence, we took the opportunity to explore the historic city center and check out local architecture.  We found  stately Victorians (such as the boyhood home of President Harry Truman who grew up in Independence. ) and Queen Anns, large Craftsman homes and smaller bungalows. [caption id="attachment_3319" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Historic home…
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