Hamilton House partners to be honored with 'Heart of History' award
Photo courtesy City of Coeur d'Alene The Hamilton House serves as the home of the Music Conservatory of Coeur d'Alene.
COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene City Council and Historic Preservation Commission will recognize Hamilton House volunteers, leaders and property owners who saved the structure from demolition with the first Heart of History award at the City Council's 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting.
The Hamilton House was built in 1908 for the second mayor of the city, Boyd Hamilton, and his wife, Alta.
It was on the brink of destruction a few years ago, before then-Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer and Windermere/Coeur d'Alene Realty Inc. owner Donald "Pepper" Smock stepped in. They bought the property for $500,001 from Kootenai County.
Today, it serves as the home of the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene.
The Historic Preservation Commission created the Heart of History Awards Program to recognize and encourage historic preservation efforts.
Julienne Dance, founder and director of the Music Conservatory, and historical researchers including Deb Mitchell, Cindy Nunn and other collaborators will also be honored "for engaging effectively and steadfastly in rallying the community to act in saving this historic residence, representative of the period and the iconic Government Way neighborhood character and pursuing a listing on the National Register of Historic Places."
The City Council meets in the Library Community Room.