PULLIAM COMMUNITY BUILDING NOMINATION FOR LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION

Historical Background Architectural Description, Features and examples Significance Benefits of Designation Responsibilities of Designation Questions

Historical Background Constructed between 1937 and 1939 with Labor provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), an unemployment relief program sponsored by the federal government during the Great Depression. “New Deal” FDR Program (Dams, Bridges, Roads, Buildings, Schools) The site for the building as well as $20,000 toward its cost were donated to the City of Loveland by philanthropists David T. and Lillian Pulliam in 1936. Pulliams wanted a community building and City Hall was also housed there

Historical Background In 1988 the building was officially renamed the Pulliam Community Building in honor of its benefactors. The Pulliams settled in Loveland in 1901. Great success in agriculture and irrigation development. Mr. Pulliam served as president of the First National Bank for many years Involved in real estate and insurance endeavors. The Pulliam's philanthropy also included gifts to three colleges, several mission hospitals, and the First Baptist Church in Loveland.

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Art Moderne is a late type of the Art Deco architecture and design that emerged in the 1930s. Projects of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were simplified and streamlined to reduce the ornamentation of the Art Deco style. The primary goal of the WPA, one of many 1930s New Deal relief and recovery programs, was to put people to work. Most projects were designed to spend a majority of the funds on labor, not materials. Common elements: use of local materials hand constructed lacks ornamentation horizontal orientation flat or barrel roofs smooth exteriors streamlined, rounded corners linear building elements grooved horizontal band on an otherwise smooth concrete exterior use of stock windows

Architectural Features Two stories, rectangular plan, and measures approximately 60 feet wide by 135 feet long 22,268 square feet Two major parts, including a flat-roofed front section containing the foyer and basement stairwells; the much larger rear portion on the building contains a large auditorium and stage covered by a vaulted roof. Below the parapet is a huge clock faced with dark painted wooden hands that point to tubular aluminum or stainless steel Roman numerals arrayed radially. Inside: Terrazzo floors in entryways and stairwells, Lamella Truss Roof

Examples of other WPA projects in Art Moderne architectural style.. Long Beach Post Office

Examples of other WPA projects in Art Moderne architectural style.. Minneapolis Armory

Examples of other WPA projects in Art Moderne architectural style.. Hoover Dam

James Russell Sherman (1938)

Significance Architectural Social/Cultural Geographic/Environmental Art Moderne Style Social/Cultural Work Progress Administration Project Pulliams were prominent philanthropists in the area Geographic/Environmental Enhances sense of identity of the community. Is an established and familiar natural setting or visual feature of the community.

Benefits State and National Grant availability Addition to Loveland’s already prestigious Landmark Register Protection of valuable historic structure and community treasure Becomes part of the State and National list of WPA projects. Fosters community pride and learning. Satisfies obligation to maintain Certified local government status (CLG) with State of Colorado Historical Office Raises downtown profile as a Visitor attraction (A heritage tourist spends about 30% more than the recreational tourist. In one year, heritage tourists spent $244 million in Colorado.)

Responsibilities Adherence to Secretary of the Interior Standards Minimal change to the exterior of the building’s distinctive materials and features and examples of craftsmanship Retention of the historic character of the building. New additions will be undertaken in such a manner that, if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the building would be unimpaired. Whenever possible, deteriorated materials, replaced with matching materials

QUESTIONS?