History…

In the Fall of 2008, the Douglas County Historic Preservation Board organized a volunteer Steering Committee comprised of 15 volunteers from various historic groups throughout the county.  The goal of the committee was to create a new, non-profit group that would focus on enhancing the knowledge of the general public to the rich, historic heritage of Douglas County.  A name was chosen, Historic Douglas County (HDC), and the committee set out to develop a mission statement that would guide the group through the initial start-up.  HDC’s mission statement was established, the goal of the group would be to improve the communication to the general public of the historic groups, venues and events that are available throughout all of Douglas County.  HDC submitted Articles of Incorporation, as a non-profit,  to the State of Colorado in January 2009.  Also in 2009,  HDC submitted the non-profit application to the IRS, which was approved in July 2009.  HDC began to participate  in public events in August 2009 with the Douglas County Fair History tent.

In October 2009, HDC held its first fund raising event at Cherokee Castle, which included a presentation by CPI president, Jim Hare. After the October event, HDC provided donations to the Sedalia Historic Firehouse Museum, the Castle Rock Historical Society and Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation. HDC has also supported the Colorado Capitol Dome restoration project.  It is the intent of HDC to support and partner with historic groups in Douglas County, and  to further improve and enhance the overall  knowledge of the general public to Douglas County history.  HDC will continue to participate in events that provide the opportunity to share historical knowledge throughout all of the communities in Douglas County.

In Support of Societies, Organizations and Venues…

Historic Douglas County, Inc. (HDC) was designed and constructed to fill a perceived void in communication with the public about our the historically rich venues, events and cultural values that our pioneering forerunners used as a foundation for building what-we-know-today as Douglas County, Colorado. We are not an organization for researching in-depth historical information although we are capable of steering you in the right direction for your research. HDC’s primary purpose is to provide support for your society or historical venue by assistance in event marketing and historical projects assistance that you undertake as a history organization in Douglas County.

HDC has the ability to assist you with “spreading the word” about your events using several forms of media, including our website for event schedule coordination and notification. For large, countywide events, we can utilize our Chamber of Commerce membership to notify the public. We can also assist you in locating funding grants that can provide funds for your historical related projects. In some cases, HDC may be able to assist you in identifying contractors that will help you restore or preserve your historical structures to be “historically correct.” HDC also serves to host local history societies, organizations and venues for participating in major public events in Douglas County such as the Douglas County Fair. This helps relieve for you a good share of the pressure associated with “going it alone.”

Use us; we’re here to help.

HDC Management / Governance

Historic Douglas County, Inc. (HDC) is a board governed non-profit corporation whose administration and major business operations are accomplished by the board.  The board consists of five board members:  President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer.  General membership meetings are generally held twice at least twice a year with special general meetings called by the President.  Board members are elected annually with board member terms of office of two-year duration.

Board Member Bios

President: James “Jim” Weglarz … was a founding member of Historic Douglas County and has served as HDC president since October, 2008.  Jim brings to HDC a strong, determined leadership having extensive business management experience with UPS for thirty-five years.  A resident of Cherry Creek Valley in Douglas County, Jim holds a Bachelor degree from Elmhurst College with majors in Business and Urban Development.  In addition to his strong business acumen, Jim, brings a wealth of leadership in volunteering having worked as a United Way coordinator on several campaigns and currently volunteers his time and effort, along with his wife, Janet, with the National Western Stock Show, Colorado Springs Rescue Mission and the Memorial Central Hospital in Colorado Springs.

Secretary: Timothy “Tim” Weber … has served as secretary since October, 2008, bringing to Historic Douglas County a rich educational and leadership background.  Tim earned a BA from UCLA, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary and a MA and PHD from the University of Chicago.  Tim spent 30 years in graduate theological education as a professor, dean, and president in four different institutions: Denver Seminary, Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky; Northern Baptist Seminary outside Chicago, and Memphis Theological Seminary in Tennessee. After his institution leadership, Tim consulted in executive search for higher education and served as the executive director of ReligionMatters.org.  Tim is affiliated with various professional/scholarly organizations and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  He and his wife, Linda, live in Castle Rock.

Treasurer: Mary O’Pry is a founding member and was chairperson of the steering committee that organized and built Historic Douglas County, Inc.  Mary served as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer from October, 2008 until October, 2009 and has served as Treasurer since October, 2009.  Mary brings to HDC a wealth of historical and organizational knowledge and knowhow from being affiliated with historical organizations and associations for almost thirty years.  Mary is a member of the Douglas County Historic Preservation Board, the Indian Park School House Association and the Sedalia Historic Fire House Museum and Gardens.  She is also a member of Colorado Preservation, Inc.  Mary, having two daughters and five grandchildren, lives in Castle Rock.  Mary works for Kaiser Permanente and has been in the health care field for 35 years in addition to running a home-based business.

Vice-president: Larry Schlupp … was a founding member of Historic Douglas County and has served as HDC vice-president since October, 2008.  Having spent 40 years in telecommunications domestically and internationally, Larry brings technology leadership and marketing strength to HDC.  Larry earned his BS in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering from North Dakota State University and holds graduate certificates in microeconomics from South Dakota State University and sales marketing from Columbia University. Larry is also certified as a Citizens Emergency Response trainer and is a member of Colorado Preservation, Inc. and the Larkspur Historical Society.  Larry and his wife, Julia, live in the Perry Park community.

Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation

Starting in September 2008 a steering committee of interested residents began working to form Douglas County’s newest historical organization.  The group drafted an intitial set of Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation so that the organization could be a non-profit entity.

Historic Douglas County, Inc. Bylaws
Historic Douglas County, Inc. Articles of Incorporation

Mailing address:
Box 2032
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104

IRS Non-profit certified under the 501(c)3 section of the Internal Revenue Code:
EIN:  26-4211562; DLN: 17053091004039

We are registered as a Non-profit Corporation in the State of Colorado:  200910555341