Kathy Koehler receives Square Nail Award

The Boulder Heritage Roundtable held its 32nd annual Archaeology and Historic Preservation Month awards ceremony at the Chautauqua Community House on May 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. There, Niwot's Kathy Koehler was presented with the Square Nail Award which recognizes individuals who have made significant and impactful movements toward historic and/or archaeological preservation/education in Boulder County.

Koehler has been involved with the Niwot Historical Society (NHS) for over a decade and has served as the president since 2016. In her time with the NHS, she has had heavy involvement and led the efforts towards digitizing documents, photographs, and artifacts, which were previously filed by scrapbooks, physical photos, slides, and file cards. Koehler also leads the continuing work on the popular "Now & Then" lecture series. She has led her own lectures, most recently on Haystack Mountain, and has created graphics and layouts for coloring pages, worked on a new NHS website and social media pages, and provided educational opportunities for other groups in Niwot.

Arguably, her most notable effort has been her work on the accurate restoration of the Fire House Museum next to the Left Hand Grange Hall on 2nd Avenue in Niwot. The restoration effort required a major grant as well as contributions from local organizations to acquire century accurate wood to replace the rotting wood that had been in the Fire House for many years.

The 2017- 2018 restoration project included efforts to restore the exterior and install lighting to highlight display boards and the fire cart in front of the fire house. An extended flagstone patio and a new, wrought iron fence was also installed as a part of the restoration project.

When receiving the Square Nail Award, Koehler said, "Wow, it is such an honor to have the Niwot Historical Society recognized for their preservation work and contributions to Niwot history [and] documentation." Koehler credited the dedicated team of volunteers from the Niwot Historical Society in the organization's effort to preserve Niwot's history.

Koehler's family roots go back generations in the greater Boulder County area, dating back to at least 1869. While in high school in Boulder, Koehler had no interest in history, but she said she has grown to appreciate the material due to her extensive roots, and has found it easier to become invested in Niwot history.

"Some historical events are not something for which we are proud," said Koehler, "but that history can serve as building blocks for growth in the future... Learn about your family, how they grew, know your roots."

Koehler is currently dedicating her time towards a new book for the 150th anniversary of the platting of Niwot. While the Niwot area has been inhabited for many years by Native Americans, it was formally laid out as a town in 1875 on a map filed with Boulder County. In 1873, Niwot was merely a train stop between Boulder and Longmont. The book's title is still a secret, but it will feature a timeline history of the development of the Niwot area over the years. "Access to information and history about Niwot is important," said Koehler as she announced her upcoming book to be released in March of 2025.

Larry Dorsey, who presented the award to Koehler at the event, noted that the Square Nail Award goes along nicely with the Golden Hammer Award, which she received in 2017 for her dedication and volunteer efforts within the Niwot community.

Follow the Niwot Historical Society on Facebook and visit its website, www.niwothistoricalsociety.org to learn more and access information and upcoming activities. The next Now & Then series lecture will be held on Wednesday, August 21, led by a Native American speaker.