Located inside of Belmar Park is Lakewood’s hidden gem, the Lakewood Heritage Center. This history park and museum tells the story of Lakewood from 1889 to 1969. It is home to an outdoor amphitheater, 13 historic buildings and 35,000 artifacts.
Lakewood’s Heritage Culture and the Arts division completed its final master plan for the Lakewood Heritage Center, and it will present the plan to the community at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6. The presentation will take place at an open house in Lakewood Heritage Center’s Orchard Room, 801 S. Yarrow Street.
“Really, our mission is to educate people about Lakewood’s 20th-century history and help them have experiences that can connect them with that history,” said Michelle Nierling, the city’s Heritage, Culture and the Arts manager.
After months of meetings with stakeholders and the community, Lakewood officials determined the themes it wants to add to the museum: the incorporation of Lakewood as a city, the role of health and wellness in the development of the city and the influence of the Denver Federal Center on the Lakewood Heritage Center.
“We asked people, ‘What would bring you back? What do you know?’” Nierling said. “Itap an opportunity to bring generations together.”
While meeting with residents, Lakewood officials learned something troublesome. Many residents didn’t know the Lakewood Heritage Center exists.
“We had that feedback from a number of people who were moving into the community. They kind of see the trees, and they think itap just a park,” said Katy Lewis, museum curator.
To help inform Lakewood residents of the Heritage Center, the plan includes erecting signs in the area and holding events at the amphitheater in the park.
The plan can be viewed online at Lakewood.org/LHCPlan. Betsy Bowers, the new Lakewood Heritage Center administrator, will attend the public meeting and answer questions.
“This museum belongs to the community, and we’re here to tell the community’s story. Itap really their plan,” Nierling said.
