Holiday Event – Capitol Hill Mansion
WHAT: RMGA DECEMBER 2016 HOLIDAY PARTY – Holiday Party at Capitol Hill Mansion – 12th and Pennsylvania.
WHEN: December 12, 2016, 6:00--6:30 – networking and sign-in, then a short business meeting to introduce 2017 officers 7:00 -8:30 – enjoy the holidays and the fabulous hors d’oeuvres!!!.
WHERE: 1207 North Pennsylvania, Denver, CO 80203 (on the corner of 12th and Pennsylvania).
PROGRAM: Holiday event – and presentation of the 2016 officers featuring a presentation on the history of the Capitol Hill Mansion. Our host is Carl Schmidt – chef extraordinaire!!
Guide Line Review
Capitol Hill Mansion
The Capitol Hill B&B was decorated for the holidays with a tall Christmas tree covered in lights and owner Carl Schmidt’s collection of hand-painted gourds (done by his aunt). It was a typical December evening – cold and crisp. We started the evening with wine and cheese and crackers. Almost all attendees (45!!!) had arrived by 6:45 pm.
Larry Foos conducted a short business meeting where he introduced 2017’s Board of Directors and also noted outgoing Directors: Barbara Johnson as Treasurer and Mary Bendelow as Director at Large (previous RMGA President). New directors will be: Mike Pearl, President; Sherry Moon, Vice President; Mary Bradley, Treasurer; Nancy Brueggeman, Secretary; and Larry Foos, Director at Large. Larry thanked both retiring Board members and Kay Willson – retiring newsletter editor (Kay has held every office at some point in time over her 20+ years of participation) for all their time and effort and willingness to contribute. Larry also invited all to attend January’s program at the new Halcyon Hotel in Cherry Creek on Columbine Street.
At 7:00pm, Carl set out a wonderful buffet with pork loin that we could enjoy by itself or as a slider, a salad with strawberries and a tasty dressing, and raspberry bars for dessert. After everyone had an opportunity to sample the buffet, Carl gave us a short history of the house and invited us to go upstairs and look in the open rooms. Carl was ably assisted by his daughter, Bailey and three other staff members who kept the buffet and wine glasses filled and the plates washed.
The house was built in 1891 for the Keating family – there are photos of the family on the dining room wall. It was one of the last splendid homes built before the Silver Crash of 1893. This economic downturn affected all of Colorado – a major mining state. The neighborhood around this households many historic homes owned by pioneers, governors, financiers and mine owners. It is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
The architecture is Richardsonian Romanesque with turrets, balconies, soaring chimneys and a grand curving porch. The exterior of the house is ruby sandstone. The foyer has relief molded plaster and golden oak paneling opening to a sweeping staircase with an eight-foot beveled and stained glass window. Antique furnishings and art are used throughout the house. The house had several owners over the years and was opened as a bed and breakfast in January 1994.
The Capitol Hill B&B has been selected for several honors: Best of Denver (Westword Magazine), Best Value Hotel (citysearch.com), and Top Ten New Inns (Inn Marketing). It is inspected and rated annually by major motor clubs and inn associations.
There are eight guestrooms – each named for a Colorado wildflower. Two of the guestrooms have balconies and fireplaces. The guestrooms are air conditioned – summers can be warm here. Most of the rooms have a great view of the mountains or nearby historic homes. It is within easy walking distance of the Convention Center, the Capitol, 16th Street Mall, DCPA, the Mint and many museums, restaurants and shops.
The inn has many business amenities as well: wireless Internet, cab/shuttle arrangements, writing desk in every room, fax and copy machine. The inn can accommodate executive retreats, small conferences and other special events. It also has on-site parking behind the inn. This is a complete non-smoking facility.
Carl graciously hosted RMGA for this event, made us feel welcome and served wonderful food! If you missed it, you missed a lovely evening.
Submitted by Nancy Brueggeman
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