The Historic Preservation Alliance of Colorado Springs presented Colorado College with its award for Excellence for Historically Compatible New Construction last fall. The award was presented in recognition of the new Cheryl Schlessman Bennett Children’s Center, 909 N. Nevada Ave., with the observation that CC is “no stranger to the preservation of existing buildings” and that the college “showed its sensitivity to neighborhood design and new construction.”
In presenting the award, Tim Boddington ’72, an alliance member, said the building “is functional with many nods to Grandma’s bungalow” and fits in well with the neighborhood. The new children’s center, with more than 9,000 square feet, can accommodate 64 children, nearly doubling the number the former children’s center could hold.
The comment that CC is diligent about historical preservation was in reference to CC’s care for buildings, such as the Morreale House at 1130 N. Cascade Ave., added to The National Register of Historic Places on Dec. 3. The Queen Anne-style structure, which has served as a home for various families, a rental property, and currently as the office for CC’s Summer Programs, was built in 1892 for George E. Lindley and his wife, Nellie, by Pueblo, Colo. contractor William
E.G. Fraser.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. With the addition of the Morreale House, CC now boasts 15 properties on the state and national registers.
