CENTRAL CITY — If you want a snapshot of how local history is being preserved right now in Gilpin County, the Gilpin Historical Society’s annual meeting on January 10 offered a clear and honest picture.

Annual Board Meeting 

The board met at 9 a.m. to review the past year, handle business for 2026, and talk frankly about what it takes to keep the doors open and the stories alive.

President Jim Crawford called the meeting to order with a quorum present. Board members in attendance included Vice President Mike Keeler, Deb Wray, Eric Chinn, Diane Anderson, Dustin Benson, and Jack Berryhill. Chuck Webster and Suzanne Matthews were excused.

The financial report set a somewhat grim tone. The treasurer presented year-end profit and loss numbers, noting that 2025 was not a strong year. Attendance was down at signature events like Creepy Crawl and Paranormal Night at the Museum, and ticket sales reflected that. 

While investments are up slightly, board members acknowledged that this was largely because funds have not been pulled out for operating expenses. Support connected to the Coeur d’Alene mine helped keep the society afloat. The board approved the report unanimously.

The annual report, included in the meeting packet, showed the broader picture. Since 2020, the Society has faced ongoing challenges, and 2025 followed that same pattern. 

Tour numbers remained flat or declined. By year’s end, docents had led 542 tours of the Teller and Opera Houses, 181 tours of the Thomas House, 25 tours of St. James Church, and nine tours of the Weekly Register-Call Print Shop. 

Even longtime favorites felt the impact. The Cemetery Crawl at the Catholic Cemetery drew 151 people, 71 fewer than the year before. 

The Creepy Crawls in October brought in 457 people, down nearly 120 from 2024. Volunteers still showed up to clean and prepare sites, and attendees continued to enjoy the events, but the numbers tell a tough story.

Board business for 2026 moved forward smoothly. Because the December meeting was canceled, board terms for Chuck Webster, Deb Wray, Mike Keeler, and Suzanne Matthews had technically expired at the end of 2025. 

The board voted unanimously to appoint all four to one-year terms expiring in December 2026, allowing time to return to a regular election cycle. Officers were also confirmed for the coming year, with Jim Crawford continuing as president, Mike Keeler as vice president, Chuck Webster as secretary, and Suzanne Matthews as treasurer.

During member comments, Jack Berryhill revisited the idea of organizing a tour of the Glory Hole Mine site. Several board members said they had contacts who may be able to help with access, and Berryhill agreed to follow up.

Regular Board Meeting

In the regular board meeting that followed, dates were also set for several major 2026 events. The 37th annual Cemetery Crawl is scheduled for August 22, though the cemetery location has not yet been selected. The 17th annual Creepy Crawl will take place on October 16, 17, 23, and 24.

Plans are also underway for a special exhibit tied to Colorado’s 150th anniversary, and the society hopes to have the ore wagon from Coeur d’Alene restored and on display by summer.

Looking Ahead

The Society is experimenting with new ways to engage the community. One upcoming event offers a twist on a familiar favorite: “Creepy Crawl, Valentine’s Edition.” Heads will roll; tacos will flow. 

On Saturday, February 7, at 2 p.m., the society will host a special presentation in the upstairs theater at Monte Lobo, located at 131 Main Street in Central City.

Instead of moving from building to building like the traditional Creepy Crawl, guests will be seated for a one-hour presentation featuring five love stories with a twist, told by Central City actors and historians. Adult beverages and Mexican food will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $16 and must be purchased in advance. They are available at the Tour Office on Eureka Street across from the Teller House. For more information, the Gilpin Historical Society can be reached at 303-582-5283. 

Hope in the face of challenges

The annual report also noted that the Central City Council has helped fund a year-round docent position at Washington Hall since 2011, supporting tours of the Teller House, Opera House, Thomas House, St. James, and the print shop. And the Society is grateful for the help.

But that funding may not continue beyond 2026 as the City faces its own financial pressures. Reduced foot traffic in Central City, along with ongoing construction on I-70 and in Clear Creek Canyon, has affected visitor numbers.

Even with those challenges, the board expressed hope in their annual report that 2026 could bring a rebound.

“We hope that 2026 will be a better year for us and the city, especially as Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary and the country celebrates its 250th. Hopefully, there will be better tour numbers as people get out to explore the state’s history, a lot of which happened in Gilpin County. We thank the city, our members, and our visitors for their continued support and business.”

For a small organization with a big mission, the message is clear. Preserving local history takes steady community support, whether that comes in the form of attending events, becoming a member, making a donation, or simply encouraging friends and visitors to take a tour.

The stories are here. Keeping them accessible is a team effort. So, join in on the fun and help keep history alive!