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Commission discusses 24x36 interpretive panel for Bridal Veil Falls; museum to draft text
Summary
San Miguel County commissioners discussed content and design for a 24-by-36-inch interpretive panel at Bridal Veil Falls, recommending concise history (hydropower plant, naming quote), a possible black swift silhouette and museum-led design by Molly; staff will circulate drafts via Google Drive.
Commission members spent a substantial portion of the Nov. 18 meeting on an interpretive graphic panel planned for the Bridal Veil Falls viewing deck.
Speaker 1 introduced a proposed 24-by-36-inch panel that would be mounted beneath the viewing platform and face the falls. "It's 1, but the 2 provide support in the center," Speaker 2 explained of the panel structure. Members recommended a compact, readable layout rather than dense text; Speaker 1 said the information could be whittled down to essentials for casual visitors.
Speakers urged the panel include the local hydro-history and a brief caption explaining the "Bridal Veil" name. "The castle like building at the top of the falls was an operating powerhouse from 1904 to 1954. It delivered 350 kilowatts of energy to the mill below," Speaker 1 said, arguing the hydroplant detail is a useful historical fact. The group also suggested sourcing historic photographs (the Denver public library was cited) and using a short 1882 San Miguel Journal quote on the name if space allows.
Janet and others recommended acknowledging natural history as a small element on the panel. "Janet also mentioned including acknowledgment of the black swift bird species... maybe even just like a simple silhouette," Speaker 1 relayed. Museum staff member Molly was identified as the likely layout lead; members agreed staff would compile text and images in a shared Google Drive for Molly and Kiernan to produce a draft.
Members emphasized keeping the panel visually clear for the many tourists who visit the falls and noted related displays (a power station panel on the Adorado Legacy Trail) as possible precedents. No formal vote was required; staff will prepare a draft for commission review.
The commission also discussed linking photos and a map of county historic interpretive sites on the county website to improve public access to interpretive panels and to help future commissioners know what is on the ground.
