Patrice LeBlanc, Central City. A tea party at the Teller House on May 19 honored the architect, Robert Roeschlaub, who designed the Central City Opera House. Honored guests at the lunch included two descendants of Robert Roeschlaub, Jennifer and Kiera Vinson. Patrice LeBlanc, Central City. A tea party at the Teller House on May 19 honored the architect, Robert Roeschlaub, who designed the Central City Opera House. Honored guests at the lunch included two descendants of Robert Roeschlaub, Jennifer and Kiera Vinson. 

Jennifer worked as an intern at the Opera in 1986 before moving to Pennsylvania. Other guests included six sisters, Consuelo, Barbie, Laurel, Faith, April and Jan, originally from the West Indies, who helped prepare the sandwiches for the tea. Central City locals Jonas and Jaclyn Schrock dressed the part in their Victorian attire along with Brenna Schembri who helped serve the tea. The tea was organized and hosted by Eric Chinn, director of historic properties for Central City Opera.

Also in attendance was Cathy Groene, the opera’s vice president of historic properties. Cathy commented on the second floor area where the tea took place, “This is a perfect use of this space.” She would like to see a weekly tea or brunch during the opera season and looks forward to working with the city on events at the Teller House. Music was provided by violinist, David Waldman Scott while the guests ate. 

Eric Chinn then gave a presentation about the life of Robert Roeschlaub. Robert Sawers Roeschlaub was born in Munich, Germany in 1843. His family came to the United States and Robert fought in the Civil War when he was nineteen. After the war, Robert trained with architect Robert Brunce for eight years. During that time, he married Annie Fisher and had two children. The Roeschlaub family came to Denver in 1873 where Robert began a 40 year career designing some of Colorado’s most exquisite buildings including Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, Corona School, Chamberlain Observatory at the University of Denver, Cheyenne County Jail, Hover Mansion, First Congregational Church in Manitou Springs, Dora Moore School and the Central City Opera.

A book about Roeschlaub’s life, titled Robert S. Roeschlaub: Architect of the Emerging West, was published in 1992 and a copy was presented to Jennifer and Kiera Vinson as a tribute. Jennifer commented that her great, great grandfather has always been viewed as a well-respected man by her family and she is proud of her heritage. Robert retired in 1912 when he lost his sight and moved to San Diego where he lived until his death in 1923. His body is buried in Fairmont Cemetery, in Denver, Colorado. 

(Originally published in the May 23, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)