Open House Friday at Palisade

Remember “Show and Tell” in elementary school?

The Palisade Historical Society hasn’t forgotten the best way to enjoy learning something familiar, yet new. 

This Friday the members are going to “show” their appreciation and “tell” more about their plans and projects to the community at a St. Patrick’s Day Open House at the History Center at 311 Main Street on Friday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Come for a short tour of the artifacts of “local hometown hero who became the first Western Slope U.S. Representative from Colorado” Wayne Aspinall, and see mobile displays of area history events: the coalmining, the railroads, the land sites of the 1920s and ‘30s, the irrigation canal development plus the Roller Dam importance.

Come hear the stories about Palisade families and town changes: the agriculture,, the architecture, the schools, and of course, the Peach Festivals.

And they love to share the stories of Palisade.

Priscilla and Vice-Chairman Bill Beckwith always have friendly banter as they present the history of Palisade’s most noted attraction.

“Everyone knows about our famous event, the Peach Festival, but did you know that it was first called, ‘The Iowa Days Peach Festival’ back in the early 1900s?”

“That’s because a large group of people from Iowa settled here, coming in on the train,” Bill added.

“Yes, yes,” Priscilla agrees with a smile, “and we have pictures.”

Volunteer Director Charlene Weidner looks through the numerous mobile displays of photos and facts until Priscilla pulls out the one she wants. “This is a copy of the banner proclaiming ‘Welcome to Iowa Days’ hung over Palisade’s Main Street. Probably 1904.”

“Or 1905 or later,” Bill says as he examines more closely the artifact. “Palisades National Bank wasn’t built on that corner until 1905.”

Their conversation turned from the Peach Festival to the name and location changes  of the bank from 1905 to today.

Priscilla shows off the historic photos of the bank through the years, then she laughs when she points out, “I wrote its obituary in 2011. When they sold the bank to another company, they had to keep the name of Palisades National Bank.”

Bill chimed in, “That’s because it is easier to change the name of the Town, than to change the name of a bank.

“The founders of the first bank named it ‘Palisades Bank’ before the town was officially established as ‘Palisade.’ So the bank could add the word National to it, but when the new company bought it, the banking commission said they couldn’t change it completely.”

“But they could take a name of a failed bank, if it was available. And that is what they did in 2011. Palisades National Bank moved from Main Street out to a new building on 8^th Street, and became Colorado National Bank.

“So I wrote a nice little obit for PNB, and hung it here in The History Center.” She laughed again.

As a volunteer director and “creative force decorating the window displays and designing the brochures or handouts” at the History Center, Charlene wants every one to come see what the Society is doing. 

“People are curious to come and to see what we are about, and chat.

“Some people want to share with us, . they might want to research something like a picture. They might ask us to do research something.

“Just a social whatever. For Any body. We still have a lot of old people who have never set foot in the door, yet. There are lots of dyed-in-the-wool Palisadians we would like to see come in and show interest in their history.”

She emphasizes that the Society will gather history from any year, anytime period and any related area. “Any time in the 100ish years. We might expand to include Cameo and east Valley because a lot of people don’t identify with Grand Junction. They identify with Palisade.”

Priscilla, one of the original founders of Palisade Historical Society, recalls well how it grew from an idea to reality.

“Really, it started with Leif Johnson with the Chamber of Commerce. He started a discussion group called ‘The History Committee.’

“I was the only one who kept raising my hand.” She laughed her distinctive chortle before continuing, “So I was handed the 501 (C ) (3) non-profit application forms to complete. Bill Talbot helped, and others.

 “We received the non-profit status in 2011, and our accomplishments are growing every year.”

“We have had this Center for only 14-15 months. Everything we have has been attained through the generosity of our donors, sponsors and community members. We are so incredibly thankful.”

Everyone is invited to learn about people and the area’s achievements through the collection of historic artifacts that families and businesses have donated, and to view the newest history displays that Palisade Historical Society is organizing and preserving for future generations.