As far as current historical records and community memory suggest, the first annual Hartman Castle Art Fair marked the first time since the early 1900s that the property has hosted a large community gathering. More than a century after Annie and Alonzo Hartman welcomed guests to the castle during their ownership, the grounds once again filled with conversation, creativity, and community life.
The Arrival
Arriving at the art fair was a magical experience. Artists were setting up their booths, board members were staging flowers and outdoor gathering areas, and everyone was mingling with excitement for the day ahead. Seeing the joy in the faces of those who’ve worked so hard bring this castle back to the community was like watching an invisible exhale of relief. After years of grueling work, the Hartman Castle Preservation Corp. board members and volunteers could finally see the future they were building for this space in real time.
Artists and Vendors
The artist and vendors spanned a variety of crafts and mediums. From baked goods, crocheted animals, and jewelry, to illustrated maps, graphic t-shirts, and crystal-inspired succulent planters, the breadth of work was truly amazing. There was hand-thrown pottery, hand-made soaps, essential oils from the local apothecary, and more. It was truly a treat for the senses, with sites and smells galore!
The Community Gathers
Throughout the morning and afternoon, people came and went, celebrating the return of community to this historic property that once welcomed the people of Gunnison for parties, meetings, weddings, and more over a century ago when it was under the stewardship of Annie and Alonzo Hartman. As Hartman Castle Preservation Corp. prepares to purchase the property as a non-profit to return it to the community, this collaboration with the Gunnison Creative District was a testament of everything that is yet to come for this beloved community space.
Looking Ahead
While the art fair celebrated local artists and makers, it also represented something larger: the reactivation of a historic place that has spent decades waiting quietly just outside the town of Gunnison.
For one weekend, Hartman Castle was not simply a landmark viewed from a distance. It, once again, became an active community space. People wandered the grounds, shared stories, admired local creativity, and experienced the property not just as history, but as a living part of Gunnison’s present. The event reminds us that preserving places is not only about stabilizing structures or restoring buildings, but also creating opportunities for communities to gather, connect, and imagine new futures rooted in shared history.
If the first annual Hartman Castle Art Fair was any indication, this gathering was not simply a reflection on the past. It was the beginning of a new chapter for the castle and the community surrounding it.
