Hotel de Paris Museum in Georgetown, Colorado Named 29th National Trust Historic Site

Hotel de Paris will be Owned and Operated by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2008) -- The Hotel de Paris Museum, a landmark building and direct link to Georgetown's days as an epicenter of Colorado's silver mining boom, has officially been named a National Trust Historic Site by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Hotel de Paris Museum is the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 29^th Historic Site, joining a diverse list that includes Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan, Conn., Acoma Sky City in Acoma, New Mexico, and President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington, D.C.

The Hotel de Paris Museum will continue to be owned and operated by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado. By entering into this cooperative agreement with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Colonial Dames will benefit from the National Trust's expertise in a range of areas, from preservation to conservation to interpretation. The National Trust will collaborate with the Hotel de Paris Museum to enhance visitor experiences at the site, including increasing the hours during which the Hotel de Paris Museum is open for tours.

Reggie Black and the Colonial Dames of Colorado received an Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2007 in recognition of their successful $2 million fundraising campaign to establish an endowment for the site. Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, welcomed the Hotel de Paris Museum to the National Trust, and lauded the Colonial Dames of Colorado for their stewardship of the site.

"The Hotel de Paris Museum is a great addition to our family of National Trust Historic Sites," Moe said. "There are a lot of ‘firsts' about this historic site that make it especially exciting for the National Trust - it is the National Trust's first site in the state of Colorado, the first site that operated as a hotel, the first site associated with the mining industry, as well as the first that traces its beginnings to immigrants of French descent. I salute the Colonial Dames of Colorado for their exemplary stewardship of the Hotel de Paris Museum, and look forward to many years of working together to ensure the site's enjoyment by future generations."

The area around Georgetown was Colorado's most important source of silver in the mid-to-late 19^th century-at one point attracting so many residents that it became one of the most populous cities in the state.  The Hotel de Paris Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally constructed in 1875 by a French immigrant named Louis Dupuy, who subsequently enlarged it to its original size in 1893. Until closing in 1939, it was operated as a hotel, boarding house, residence, restaurant, and showroom for traveling salesmen. In 1954, the Colonial Dames of Colorado acquired the site, eventually restoring it to its original 1890s appearance and transforming it into its present incarnation as a historic site museum. The excellent condition of the building-and the presence of over ninety percent of the original furnishings, including Dupuy's library and art-make this site unique for educational opportunities.

The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado also owns and operates the McAllister House in Colorado Springs. The organization, founded in 1891, has over 15,000 members nationwide, and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Although affiliated with the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Colonial Dames of Colorado is a separate, independent non-profit organization.

"The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Colorado is extremely proud of its new relationship with the National Trust for Historic Preservation," said Sally Hopper, president of the State Society of the Colonial Dames.  "As the NTHP's newest co-sponsorship site, we are delighted to make this important announcement. We believe that the Hotel de Paris Museum will become stronger and provide greater service to its visitors and supporters as a result of this partnership, and we look forward to a brighter future with the assistance and support of the National Trust for Historic Preservation."

For more information about the Hotel de Paris Museum, please visit the National Trust's Web site at http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/mountains-plains-region/hotel-de-paris.html  or visit www.hoteldeparismuseum.org. For additional information about the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Sites, visit http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/index.html

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history - and the important moments of everyday life - took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, 9 regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information visit www.PreservationNation.org.

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