South Platte Valley Historical Society Society`````````````````````````````South Platte Valley Historical Society

 

Rebuilding the Past - For the Future

Last Update

January 24, 2011

The South Platte Valley Historical Society

 

The South Platte Valley Historical Society was founded in March of 1988.  The primary purpose of the Society is for the preservation and maintenance of sites, structures and objects of historical significance in the South Platte Valley area, as well as related public education.  These goals are to be accomplished, in part, through the establishment of the Fort Lupton Historical Park. 

 

The Society currently has about 350 members locally, throughout the nation and around the world that are dedicated to this goal.  Many members provide additional support to the society through supplementary donations of money, supplies, or labor for the Society's restoration and reconstruction projects. 

  

Presently, the Society has title to approximately 100 acres of land, located just north of the community of Fort Lupton on the South Platte River, which includes the historic site of the original Fort Lupton.  The Fort is presently being reconstructed, and two other historic structures have also been relocated to the site and fully restored, the Donelson House and the 1875 Independence School.  On a portion of the site a black-powder shooting range has been developed as well as an archery range, tomahawk range and woodswalk.  The lower, wooded portion of the site is used for "Rendezvous" and other living history events.   Also located on-site is a temporary structure which currently houses the Visitor Center.  This will eventually be replaced with a permanent Interpretive Center.

 

The Society holds meetings the first Monday of every month.  Officers and Directors and the By-Laws (1.3MB PDF) of the Society can be found here. During the summer months a potluck dinner often precedes the business meeting.  After the business meeting, an educational or informational program is presented.  A newsletter is published quarterly to keep members informed about changes and progress.  Previous Newsletters can be found here.  

  

The Tallow River Trappers is the living history arm of the South Platte Valley Historical Society.  Through the Tallow River Trappers the Society sponsors three major "Rendezvous" every year, in February, May and September.   These Rendezvous all have a pre-1840 theme and often attract several hundred participants, including traders and sutlers.  The public is always welcome at these events to see and interact with the participants.  

 

The Fort Lupton Muzzleloading Club is a separate organization which operates and maintains the shooting range and sponsors shooting events.  The Club encourages knowledge of the history of black powder muzzleloading firearms, and proficiency in their use.  Competition and fun events are regularly scheduled (calendar of shooting events). Club members can also use the range between events.  

 

In addition to the "Rendezvous" the Society sponsors a Heritage Fair.  Many diverse historical  organizations come together to present to the public a living history timeline.  The period from the French and Indian Wars through the Civil War is very well represented, however, in past years, there have been encampments of Roman soldiers, Viking warriors up to the Viet Nam era.

   

Other Society events are open non-members but only as participants (that is not as 21st Century observers), such as teas, pig roasts, fandangos, and even a woman's encampment (Hunters Widow's Rendezvous).

 

The Society gratefully acknowledges the help it has received from the City of Fort Lupton, many local businesses, and several other volunteer organizations.  Donors have included Society members, friends of deceased Society members, and non-members with an interest history and in seeing the Fort Lupton Historical Park completed.

 

If you have any questions or would like to help, contact us at lancaster.lupton@spvhs.org.

 

Do you think that this is something you would like to be part of?  Find out how you can become a member!  

 

Other Pages of Interest to the Society:

    South Platte Valley Historical Society By-Laws

    Society Officers and Directors

    Vision Statement

    Membership

 

Back to the Top