đź“ŤLocation: The Old Courthouse, Fairplay, CO
🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Hosted by: South Park National Heritage Area
Each year, the South Park National Heritage Area (SPNHA) welcomes community members, local leaders, and heritage partners into one of the region’s most iconic buildings: the historic Old Courthouse in Fairplay. This fall, we invite you to join us once again for an evening of discovery, connection, and celebration at the 2025 SPNHA Open House.
Step inside a building that has watched over Park County for more than a century. Whether you’ve never been inside or visit every year, the Old Courthouse remains a symbol of civic pride and historical preservation — and we can’t wait to open the doors again for this special gathering.
✨ What to Expect
At this free public event, you’ll get an up-close look at the work SPNHA and its grantees have been doing across South Park—from ongoing research and preservation projects to public education and environmental conservation.
🗂️ Browse exhibits and materials that highlight the stories, artifacts, and landscapes we’re working to preserve.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Meet our grantees and nonprofit partners and hear directly from the people doing the work on the ground.
🔍 See how past and current grant funding is making an impact—from archives and archaeology to arts and access.
🤝 Learn how to get involved in future heritage projects or collaborate with SPNHA.
This is more than just an informational event—it’s a chance to connect with others who care about the stories of South Park, to ask questions, share insights, and explore new opportunities to work together in the years ahead.
🛠️ Why It Matters
South Park is one of just three National Heritage Areas in Colorado—recognized for its unique combination of cultural history, historic sites, and high-altitude landscapes. Through a mix of grantmaking, collaboration, and storytelling, SPNHA helps ensure that this nationally significant region is preserved for future generations.
The annual Open House gives us a chance to share that mission with the public, celebrate what’s been accomplished, and invite even more community members into the work of heritage preservation.
📸 Come For the History, Stay for the Inspiration
This year’s event will be hosted inside the Old Courthouse in Fairplay, a treasured architectural gem that has served the community in various roles since the late 1800s. The structure itself is part of the story of South Park—a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to local heritage.
We’ll also be featuring visual highlights of funded projects, hands-on materials, and opportunities to connect with SPNHA team members and volunteers.
🙌 Who Should Attend?
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Local historians, educators, and researchers
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Nonprofit leaders and museum staff
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Elected officials and community planners
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SPNHA grantees and potential future applicants
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Residents, students, and anyone curious about South Park’s past and future
Whether you’re deeply involved in heritage work or simply interested in learning more, this event is open to all.
đź“… Save the Date!
2025 SPNHA Open House
đź“Ť Old Courthouse, Fairplay, CO
🗓️ Thursday, October 16, 2025
🕔 5:00 – 7:00 PM
🎟️ Free and open to the public — no RSVP required.
đź”— Want to Learn More?
To see recent projects, meet our partners, or explore how SPNHA supports historic preservation and education across South Park, browse our site 👉 southparkheritage.org
Have questions about the Open House? Email us at southparkheritage@gmail.com
