Healy House Museum facts for kids
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Healy House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | Leadville, Colorado |
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| Built | 1878 |
| Architect | August R. Meyer |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000164 |
| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1970 |
The Healy House Museum is a historic home located in Leadville, Colorado. It was built in 1878 by a man named August R. Meyer. He was a mining engineer, which means he designed and managed mines. Meyer was also an important person in Leadville's early days. He built this house for his wife, Emma.
In 1888, Daniel Healy bought the house. He was an immigrant from Ireland. Daniel Healy and his cousin, Nellie Healy, ran the house as a boarding house. A boarding house is like a small hotel where people can rent rooms for a longer time.
Contents
The Healy Family and the House
Daniel Healy's Life
Daniel Healy was a busy person in Leadville. He worked as a mail carrier, delivering letters and packages. Later, he became the assistant postmaster, helping to run the post office.
He also started several successful businesses. From 1903 to 1905, Daniel Healy even represented Leadville in Colorado's state legislature. This means he was a lawmaker who helped make decisions for the state.
Nellie Healy's Role
Daniel Healy passed away in 1912. After his death, the house was given to his sister, nieces, and his cousin Nellie Healy. Nellie continued to live in the house and operate it as a boarding house. She did this until 1936.
In 1936, Nellie decided to donate the house to a historical association. She wanted the house to be used in a way that would help the city of Leadville.
Becoming a Museum
Restoration Efforts
After Nellie donated the house, work began to restore it. In 1938, a person named Clara Gaw Norton managed this restoration project. The money for this work came from a grant by the Boettcher Foundation.
Clara Gaw Norton had a big dream. She hoped to turn the Healy House into Leadville's very first history museum. This would allow people to learn about the city's past.
A Historic Site Today
The Healy House was officially recognized as an important historical place in 1970. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
Today, Healy House is a Colorado State Historic Site. It is managed by History Colorado, which is a state organization that preserves history. The house is operated as a museum that shows what life was like during the Victorian era.
The Healy House is located within the Leadville Historic District. This entire district is also a National Historic Landmark, meaning it's very important to the history of the United States. The restored house is a great example of the "Elegant Eighties," showing the fancy style of the 1880s.
