Legacy Society for Planned Giving

One Historical Gift, Many Future Returns

The Legacy Society acknowledges individuals and families who have given Aspen Historical Society the highest compliment – including the organization in their estate plans. Planned gifts from these committed supporters provide a critical foundation for history education and preservation that will extend beyond their lifetimes.

Legacy Society donors enjoy the benefits of a planned gift today, with the knowledge that their foresighted donation will make a difference for future generations. Legacy Society benefits include:

  • Invitation to all Silver Circle exclusive events
  • Invitation to all AHS Exhibit ‘Sneak Peek’ Receptions
  • Public recognition in the printed Annual Update and on the AHS website

Organization Information

Legal Name: Aspen Historical Society
Legal Address: 620 W. Bleeker Street, Aspen, CO 81611
Federal Tax ID Number: 84-6037756

Gift Intent Form

Legacy Society: Information & Membership Opportunities

For more information about becoming a Legacy Society Member or including AHS in your estate plans, please contact Development Director Heather Macdonald.

CONTACT

Phone : 970.925.3721 x 105
Email : development@aspenhistory.org

EMAIL

Ways to Give Through Planned Giving

Whether you are looking to maintain a family giving legacy, appreciate property, create a charitable remainder trust during retirement, or dispose of highly appreciated assets in a tax-efficient manner, AHS welcomes your support.

Begin your legacy for history preservation

To get started on your plans and build a legacy for preserving and sharing Aspen’s history you can use FreeWill—a free tool that guides you through the process of creating your will or trust. It’s easy to use, accessible online, and can be completed in 20 minutes. You can use this resource on its own or to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney.

Plan Your Beneficiaries

Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life-insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets, and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately. Use this free online tool to make your plans and beneficiaries. Should you choose, you can designate Aspen Historical Society as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets.

Charitable Gift Annuities

A charitable gift annuity is a mutual agreement where you make a contribution, and in return, we provide you (or a designated beneficiary) with fixed payments for life. The payment amount is determined based on the value of your gift and the age of the individual(s) receiving the annuity at the time of the donation.

Gift of Real Estate

By donating appreciated real estate, you can bypass capital gains taxes on the property’s increased value while also benefiting from a charitable income tax deduction based on its full fair market value.

“We have chosen AHS in our estate planning because even though ‘we’ are only here for a short time, each of ‘us’ is part of the history of Aspen. It’s up to all of us to keep that history alive.”

– Jacqueline & Robert Hutton

Already Planned for a Gift?

Have you already included Aspen Historical Society in your will or trust? Please let us know by filling out this form. We would love to thank you for your generosity and commitment to preserving local history.

Notification Form

Honoring Ruth Whyte

The Legacy Society was established in honor of Ruth Whyte, whose commitment to area history included a legacy gift in keeping with her heartfelt spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy. Ruth was a longtime Aspen resident who loved history and spent decades volunteering for Aspen Historical Society’s many needs. Ruth’s thoughtful planned gift helped renovate the Wheeler/Stallard Museum and was the first donation to establish the AHS endowment. The Legacy Society honors Ruth’s foresight and dedication to preserving and sharing the area’s past, into the future.

Bringing History to Life

From the free public archive to museums and ghost towns to rotating and traveling exhibits throughout the community to programs and events for all ages, Aspen Historical Society shares the area’s remarkable history with thousands of people each year:

  • More than 33,000 visitors at four historical sites: Wheeler/Stallard Museum, Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, Ashcroft Ghost Town, and Independence Ghost Town
  • Free history education programs offered to thousands of kindergarten through high school students through site field trips and in-classroom lessons, including storytelling, historical character performances, and presentations by Ute tribal members
  • Hundreds of research contacts assisted by AHS Archivists