Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center wins grant

SAN LUIS – If anyone can, the people of Costilla County can.
This was the message as a crowd of officials, board members and well-wishers gathered last Wednesday to celebrate a grant that will help preserve history for future generations.
The Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center has received a $199,921 grant from the History Colorado State Historical Fund to rehabilitate the historic theater in the Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center, including the restoration of its character-defining features—the wood floors, plaster and adobe walls, the vigas and latillas, along with the historic stage.
It will also include the rehabilitation of the non-original projection room to allow for use as a director’s booth for the theater, and rehabilitate the non-historic boiler room into dressing rooms. A new baseboard heating system will be installed along with new replica lighting, new power outlets, exit signs and emergency lighting.
Built by the WPA in the 1930s, the building served as the San Luis Institute of then-Adams State Teachers College. It was transferred to the school district which eventually leased it to the Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center.
San Luis Mayor Theresa Medina thanked all involved and looked ahead to the community activities to be held in the building.
Centennial School Board President Gloria Espinoza emphasized this, as well as the community cooperation that has led to grants and plans for the building.
Costilla County Commissioner Lawrence Pacheco said the strength of communities comes from partnerships within, and the community has many strong partnerships.
Saying he looks at renovation of the old building as a rebirth, stating that the building is part of his roots, since his father was educated there. In the future, it can become home to such groups as Mariachi San Luis, he added, giving thanks to all involved.
Felix Romero, owner of San Luis’ oldest businesses and chairman of the Economic Development Council, thanked everyone involved and said, “I want to assure you, we will continue to preserve and restore our community.”
Costilla County Economic Development Council Director Bob Rael said he graduated from school in San Luis 55 years ago and those memories make for an exciting time for himself and everyone involved in the efforts involved.
“This is special for our culture. This is where Colorado began,” he said.
Rael thanked funding sources such as History Colorado, the State Historical Fund, the Sangre de Cristo National Historic Area, the Case Family Foundation, the Blanca Foundation, the Costilla County Commissioners and many more who have made renovation of the building possible.
Restoration will be a three-fold process, he said. Wednesday’s ceremony and check receipt began restoration of the community theater and community kitchen, eventually making it possible for the children to take the stage to tell the story of their history; in the kitchen, they will learn to prepare cultural foods. “Adelante San Luis has already started on some cultural aspects,” Rael added.
Along with economic development, the process will include cultural restoration and preservation, he noted. “Together, we share a special opportunity for success,” Rael said, thanking the San Luis town trustees and the school board for their support, then emphasizing, “The community is important. This is where Colorado began, the cradle of Hispano heritage.”
Finally, Cynthia D. Nieb, director of the State Historical Fund, said every community member involved has worked hard. “We provide help, you do the work. We need people to understand how absolutely outstanding San Luis is. Soon, you will open this place full force.”
Jonathan Raab is preservation communications manager for the state fund and has been involved in the project, including organizing the special check presentation. Members of the economic development council, local public officials and Colorado state legislators took the stage in the old theater to pose with a large copy of the latest funding check.
Afterwards, the group toured special museum displays set up for the morning, including colcha embroidery depicting historic buildings and area churches, hand carved santos, historic tools and clothing and old photographs of community leaders. A special Morada display set up in the second story honors Los Hermanos Penitentes, a very important part of historic Hispano culture in the San Luis Valley.
Volunteer curator Rick Manzanares was a very enthusiastic guide and, along with Rael, brought some of the past to life.