Colorado’s Douglas County Libraries Announce Archives & Local History Gift
The CYCL scrapbook contains handwritten minutes of Franktown School Board meetings from as early as 1875.
The Archives & Local History (ALH) department at Douglas County Libraries recently received a generous historical donation from the estate of siblings Robert F. (Bob) and Rosemary M. Metzler of Castle Rock. The Metzlers were professional educators and third-generation Coloradans whose family history in Douglas County dates back more than 100 years. Both sets of grandparents were early pioneers who homesteaded in various parts of the county.
The Metzler collection was acquired over a period of several months, between May and September 2021, and includes a variety of materials: books of Western history, fiction and art; local and historical cookbooks; teaching and educational materials; collectible rare books and fine editions; photographs; and paper documents of teaching material, Douglas County School District history, land and property history, and more.
According to Alyssa Carver, Head Archivist with ALH, the materials donated are representative of the history of the Metzler ranch in Castle Rock and the personal legacies of the family members.
“The Metzler family donation is a valuable acquisition for ALH because of its large size, broad scope, and historical significance across a number of important subject areas,” Carver said.
Those subject areas include history of schools and education in Douglas County; ranch life and the history of cattle, dairy, and related agricultural industries in the county; the ongoing sub/urbanization of the area over time; and local artists, authors, and creators.
To learn more about the Metzler collection, contact ALH at (303) 688-7730 or archives.dcl.org.
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