The Underhill Museum was the home of James and Lucy Underhill from 1912-1963.
James Underhill, the son of James and Louise Wheeler Underhill, was born on April 9, 1871, in New York City. James received a B.A. degree, with honors, in chemistry and geology from Harvard in 1894. In 1905, he earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado. In 1906, he received his Ph.D.
James came to Idaho Springs in 1897 as a consulting engineer and from 1919 to 1946 was an associate professor of mining at Colorado School of Mines, commuting by train and bus to the college. He was also the director of the Edgar Mine in Idaho Springs, a training ground for School of Mines and students from around the world. Underhill also authored numerous books on surveying and mining and served as U.S. Deputy Mineral Surveyor.
James married Lucy Caroline Stoller in San Francisco on December 18, 1899. Lucy was born in Denver on March 20, 1875, the daughter of John R. Stoller and Lucretia M. Miner Stoller. She was an excellent cook, specializing in French cuisine. She was also an avid gardener and grew delphiniums in her garden over 12’ tall!
Dr. Underhill had his first office over the Merchants and Miners Bank at 15th and Miner streets. In 1912, he purchased the lot on 1413 Miner Street and began to build his office and his home. Lucy helped in the unique design of the home, making it fashionable, yet functional. One unique feature of the home was the entry. It consists of two doors, side by side. The door to the East was for entrance into James’ office for business. The door to the west was for Lucy’s guests to enter the home without disturbing her husband. They would walk down a long hallway into the living quarters of the home.
The Underhills were very involved in the community. They never had children, but they did have some of the first motorcycles and spent many happy hours riding in the mountains.
James died on April 22, 1954, at the age of 83. Lucy continued to live in their home until 1963. Realizing she needed to move to a lower altitude, she deeded the property to the Idaho Springs Library for use as a museum. She left the home and office intact. Lucy hoped this gift to the library would prevent the home from ever becoming a tavern. James and Lucy were devout Christian Scientists. Lucy moved to Denver and lived with a friend until her death in 1969 at the age of 94.
The Underhill home has remained a museum to this day. It is now the property of the Idaho Springs Historical Society and maintained by them. The home is exactly as it was when the Underhills occupied it. The garden and courtyard in the rear of the home have been redone. It is a beautiful garden with amenities for entertaining and a water fountain that provides great pleasure to all enjoying the garden.
The Underhill Garden can be rented as a venue for small events in a wonderful, peaceful space.
Underhill Museum