When Bill Owens was governor, Frances Owens oversaw a major renovation of the house, which included replacing the garage in back with a special events facility — complete with bathrooms outfitted with mirrors that Frances found in the attic of the mansion, stowed there by the Boettcher family, who lived in the house before the State of Colorado picked it up in 1959 as the official governor’s residence. (The Boettcher Foundation paid the state $15,000 for the privilege of having Colorado take it off the foundation’s hands.)
You’re sure to learn plenty more about the building from 5:30 to 7 p.m. tonight when Brian Shaw, senior architectural historian of the URS Corporation, offers Upstairs, Downstairs: An Architectural History of the Governor’s Residence — at the Governor’s Residence, 400 East Eighth Avenue. The lecture is $15, and reservations are required at 303-866-4686. But tomorrow between 1 and 3 p.m., you can also take a free tour of Colorado’s Home, no reservations needed (it’s first-come, first-served). For more information, visit www.coloradohistory.org. Sadly, I can’t promise that Frances Owens will be there to show you the men’s room.
Mon., June 9; Mon., July 14; Mon., Aug. 11, 2008
