We Wish to Inform Our Membership of the Upcoming (June 11, 2011) Annual Open House Activities

ASCE- NCB Community Service Project and VDCC Open House

We wish to inform our membership of the upcoming (June 11, 2011) annual Open House activities of the Virginia Dale Community Club (VDCC) ( . (formed in 1921). The day’s events and directions to the location are described in a news item which appeared in the June issue of the North Forty News at the following link:

At its May monthly board meeting, the Northern Colorado Branch-ASCE selected, via its competitive application process, the VDCC for its next Community Service Project (CSP). The VDCC owns, operates and maintains two closely adjacent buildings located in Virginia Dale, Colorado a small community located north of Fort Collins and centered just east of U.S. 287:

- Virginia Dale Stage Station – built in 1862, it was designated on the National Registry of Historic Properties in 1985.

- The Club House (Hurzeler House) - was built in 1909 and was officially donated to the club in 1950, by Fred and Maude Maxwell, who purchased it for that purpose.

The Open House is held at the location of these buildings.

Both buildings are on the Overland Trail and the Stage Station is the only such station still in its original location on the unpaved original roadway. The Stage House was used historically for dances, and Christmas Parties, and now to accommodate crafters, etc. for the annual Open House as well. The Club House is the main business office of the club and, because it has a kitchen, is used for serving food at our fundraisers as well as community functions, such as reunions, memorial services, receptions, etc.

Both buildings are of like historical log construction and generally in poor to average condition, i.e. they have significant structural, architectural and building code needs. In regard to the Stage Station: In 1982 a grant from the Fort Collins Historical Fund funded a roof replacement. In 1996, a $30,244 grant from the Colorado Historical Society/State Historical Fund (CHS/SHF) provided for emergency, stop-gap stabilization of the building and replacement of some main foundation logs. As the building has since extensively and seriously deteriorated in various ways, the Club undertook an Historical Structural Assessment (HSA) funded by the CHS/SHF in accordance with the detailed template of CHS/SHF and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings. In regard to the Club House, the building was the subject of volunteer comprehensive structural assessment course project conducted in 2008 by graduate students of Colorado State University. It too has structural, geotechnical and other physical needs.

The HSA will provide qualitative descriptions and broader descriptions of the numerous repair, retrofit, preservation etc. needs and suggested ideas for solutions, not actual engineered solutions. Thus, developing specific solutions and, where possible, implementing some of them is the main thrust of the CSP that the Branch will undertake. Overall, the result will be a master plan for further work and a basis for pursuing additional CHS/SHF grants to allow for competitive bids for ensuing work.

Please consider attending this event which will be fun for all ages. You can also and to take a look at the site as the Northern Colorado Branch prepares to embark on this CSP. If you have an interest in being involved in the CSP, please contact:

Richard Gutkowski

Jim Brady, President at

Or Cort Nickel, Vice President at: