PERSPECTIVES FROM PASSIONATE PEOPLE
“I’m grateful for the leadership efforts underway in our community to preserve the Union Printer’s Home, which is a significant part of our city’s history.”
“And so I looked into this building and its history. I look back to 1857. […] What principle actuated the mainspring of the Home? It was man’s love of his fellowman. But in the building of this Home not alone man’s hand has been busy, but the hand of God has been in it.” - In his opening remarks at the dedication of the Home May 12, 1892
"As a native of Colorado Springs who has always been deeply passionate about our local history, it is my dream job to preserve and share the rich history of this fascinating local institution and its significance. It tells a story not just of Colorado Springs, but of health and wellness, labor and unions, printing and graphic design, architecture, and of the thousands of people who have lived and worked here over the past 130 years."
"We feel a tremendous responsibility to the preservation and presentation of the very important history that the Union Printers Home represents. We want to preserve it, re-imagine it, and open it back up to become a proud asset that the community loves."
"The historic buildings and unique collections of the Union Printers Home provide an incomparable glimpse into Colorado Springs’ history as a world-renowned place for health and recreation. The long-term preservation and accessibility of these materials and spaces is vital to understanding our community’s past while the rehabilitation of the beautiful UPH grounds in the heart of Colorado Springs will enrich residents and visitors alike."
“We are thrilled to join with the Union Printers Home Partners and Sasaki to reimagine, regenerate and reactivate the buildings and campus! The rich legacy of the Home has both a national story and significance, yet remains central to the history of Colorado Springs with its continued role in health and wellness.”
"The proud location of this site on the crest of a hill overlooking Memorial Park created a distinct position at the edge of downtown for over a century. Now, Sasaki is thrilled to be a part of this landmark project to preserve and reimagine the Union Printers Home for future generations."
"This legacy project will save, preserve, and reintroduce the amazing and internationally significant history that this property represents to the city and nation. I have been honored to be a small part of its launch, and look forward to its continued preservation"
“We are so honored to take the lead in saving this magnificent property and its wealth of history and artifacts, and look forward to being a part of its amazing new presentation and transformation to the benefit of Colorado Springs and the nation.”
“When the Union Printers Home was at risk of being sold to outside interests with no commitment to Colorado Springs, I worried that this amazing historic landmark and its unique history might be lost forever. I am grateful that All Pro Capital and other prominent families have come together to preserve the history of this community treasure.”
"130 years after initial construction, this incredible landmark deserves to have a new chapter in Colorado Springs history that honors both its architectural and historic significance. The project will take vision, coordinated community outreach, and follow through to see this historic beauty preserved and returned to its former glory, and the preservation community is standing by to support the effort."
"The Union Printer's Home truly was a mysterious 'Castle on the Hill' throughout my life here in Colorado Springs. I am humbled now to walk through its doors, to learn about the rich history contained within and to share in both its reintroduction and reimagining into our community."
"Growing up in Colorado Springs, I remember that UPH was a constant presence. As long as I can remember I've loved history, and when I heard about the new vision for the Home, I couldn't wait to get involved. This property had layers (literally!) of incredible history, and I'm so excited to see the next layers of the story be added to this beautiful, historic property!"
FUN FACTS
The Clock Isn’t Broken
The clock in the center tower of the Castle at UPH remains at 8:00 to signify the victory of the 8-hour workday, which the ITU was a major part of winning, along with the 40-hour workweek.
Sagebrush and Rattlesnakes
When the property was dedicated in 1892, it sat on a hill a mile and a half from town with nothing but “sagebrush and rattlesnakes,” as depicted in that month’s Harper’s Weekly article and photo.
Not Quite Equal
A glance at the Castle might make you believe that it is symmetrical from the center clock tower, but the south side actually has one more section of rooms which were added during the 1923 addition.
The Property Was Self-sustaining
By the 1920s, the property was virtually self-sufficient with hundreds of acres of fields, vegetables, hundreds of dairy cows and hogs, and thousands of chickens.
Union in Name
The city street “Union Boulevard,” which runs North-South in front of the property, was once a dirt road called “Main Street.” The name was changed to Union in the 1920s because of the Home. It now stretches for miles, and has been a main thoroughfare for many years.
Largest Labor Union
At its peak, the ITU was the largest labor union in the world, and very powerful. It was instrumental in creating equal workplace rights for women, the 8-hour work day, and the 40-hour work week which are now codified in the US.
CONTACT US
Want to know more? Have a great story about the property?
Have some in-depth knowledge of its history? We would love to hear from you.
Elena “Ellie” Hinkle was born and raised in Colorado Springs and has had a passion for its history since she was very young. After completing her MLIS in Archives Management at Simmons University (Boston, MA) in 2021, she moved back to Colorado Springs in hopes of finding work in a local history institution. Little did she know that her dream job was awaiting her – and a few months later, she became the Director of History & Archives at the Union Printers’ Home! Ellie managed much of the initial cleanout and preservation of the artifacts found in the buildings on the property, and is now working to preserve and make available to the public the rich and fascinating history of this incredible property and institution.