All History Matters

Posted on behalf of Carol Affleck and Shirley Schaller:

"We envision a healing trail on the southern portion of the property as shown on your drawing map. The trail should be a truthful timeline of events, with interpretive signage for both the Tribes and the Settler/Homesteaders. Native and prairie plants might be included along the trail.

Address what other troops from where in Colorado participated in Sand Creek. There was no battle at Fort Chambers. The settlers built the sod fort for safe shelter as evidenced in oral histories, prior to the troops training at the fort for 20 days. The settlers went to the fort for and stayed for safe shelter.

We do not support a recreation of Fort Chambers. The exact location of the fort is unknown.

The agricultural hay field and the historic Chambers/Williams/Poor Farm house and all of the historic farm structures must be restored to the Secretary of Interior’s standards.

The significant intact farm complex should be maintained and honored as a Heritage Agriculture museum site.

The marker must be returned. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, along with the buildings and features.

Stewardship of the entire property is highly critical. The house has been vandalized. A caretaker should be living in the upstairs back apartment. Farming activities should be continued. The hayfield must be irrigated. The gardens should be restored. The lawn must be watered and mowed. The historic plantings of roses, lilacs, iris, flowers and the mulberry tree and other trees must be watered and maintained.

Inexperienced people have suggested animals should be returned to the farm, including buffalo. Animals must be tended, watered, fed. An trained onsite caretaker would be necessary to tend animals. Buffalo and animals eat a lot. Overgrazing? Where would the extra necessary feed come from?

Security and liability are important issues. Security for the site and buildings. Liability for visitors walking and hiking the trails, near water, wildlife, snakes and more.

As Valmont descendants we have a history to share. Our history must be told and respected.

The hate directed at the settlers and their descendants in public meetings and otherwise, must stop. We need respect. False, incorrect and incomplete information must be refuted.

We respect the Tribal history.

All history matters. All history must be told with truth.

We look forward with excitement to participating in the public input process. We want to share our true story.

Respectfully,

Carol Affleck

Shirley Schaller

One further point – we do not support the renaming of the site. History of everything matters."