The Nederland Area Historical Society (NAHS) hosted their reinvigorated Heritage Day celebration on September 19, 2021, to crowds of awestruck onlookers who marveled at an antique, but still moving steam shovel. During the celebration Emmit Hoyl, president of the Historical Society Board, presented lifetime achievement awards to long time members, Kayla Evans and Danny Martin.

Kayla Evans joined the NAHS in 1991 and has volunteered for 30 years with the organization. Kayla joined having been inspired by her mother’s efforts to preserve Nederland’s history. It was her mother Par Evans, who is now deceased, to whom Kayla dedicated the award. A teary eyed Kayla recounted that it was her mother who deserved this award. Kayla’s years of dedication were instrumental in acquiring the mining museum building. Kayla also helped coordinate Miners Days’, and led the efforts of the Board for many years. “It wasn’t always easy,’’ recounted Kayla. She and Dan relied on each other’s support to sustain the organization during periods of waning community interest for historic preservation.

Danny Martin joined the NAHS in 1993 and has volunteered 28 years of service to the organization. Danny has moved mountains of metal, finding and procuring artifacts for the museum’s collection all over Boulder and Gilpin counties. He also became a student of history, and through his work within the organization, absorbed the stories and verbal histories conveyed to him by the “old timer” families of the area. Dan also gained notoriety for leading the effort to resurrect the Bucyrus 50-B steam shovel, now the leading tourist attraction in the town of Nederland. His wife Michelle Martin, grew the Nederland Miners Days’ event into one of the largest mining competition’s in Colorado during the early 2000s, and supported Dan throughout his tenure. Dan would setup and judge, while Michelle would organize and run the show.

Both Danny and Kayla donated countless hours and finances to the organization over their tenure. Their service to the community was immense and led to the greatest preservation effort that the town has ever seen. Their level of volunteer dedication is a rarity these days, and is an example of the effort required by volunteers to leave a lasting legacy for this community.