On Wednesday, Cortez Cultural Center executive director Rebecca Levy announced that the center was awarded a $10,000 grant from the History Colorado State Historical Fund to conduct a historic preservation assessment of the center’s building, which is located at 25. N. Market Street.
The assessment will yield research findings about the building’s history and former uses, as well as recommendations that will help preserve the building and its historical value longterm.
“The Historic Structure Assessment is an important first step in the preservation process,” Culutral Center executive director Rebecca Levy said in a press release. “Following the completion of the HSA next year, we will have a detailed and phased approach outlining necessary critical work. In addition, we will be in a much more competitive position to be awarded additional funds to begin the restoration and rehabilitation work.”
The building, known as the E.R. Lamb building, was built by its namesakes Edwin and Mary Lamb in 1909. The Lambs were looking to house their mercantile and millinery businesses in the 23-year old town of Cortez. According to Levy, they twice lost their inventories to fire.
The building features a premanufactured metal façade shipped by rail to Cortez from Missouri. Before the Cultural Center, the building was home to businesses including furniture stores, a pharmacy and a flower shop. Its top floors were apartments.
The Cultural Center has hired Clark and Chapin Architects, a local firm, to conduct the assessment, which will continue into spring.
“We are also incredibly grateful for the work that the city of Cortez and its Historic Preservation Board has done to make it possible for us to even qualify for SHF grants,” Levy said. “Being listed on the city’s Historic Building Registry allows owners ... to benefit from the state’s preservation funds.”
For updates, visit the Cortez Cultural Center’s Facebook page or www.cortezculturalcenter.org.
