In April 2004, Colorado Springs, Colo., United Van Lines agent Armstrong Moving & Storage began the unique task of packing and storing 10,000 square feet of priceless pieces from the El Pomar Foundation’s historic Carriage Museum. The pieces included 31 horse-drawn carriages; five motorized carriages, including three Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb racecars; two presidential carriages that had carried Presidents William Henry Harrison and Chester A. Arthur; and a 1928 Cadillac limousine. In October 2005, Armstrong relocated the historic gems to a newly constructed 8,500-square-foot museum adjacent to Colorado Springs’ BROADMOOR Hotel.

“We were delighted to be a part of the Carriage Museum’s relocation,” said Chuck Tenney, director of operations & information services for Armstrong Moving & Storage. “Moving the irreplaceable items from the museum was both challenging and rewarding as we felt like we were making history ourselves by helping preserve priceless pieces for future generations.”

Moving the antiques presented unique challenges as many pieces were bulky, heavy, and – due to their age – could not be relocated in conventional ways. For example, the 1928 Cadillac limousine that was purchased for Julie Penrose by Spencer Penrose, the founder of the BROADMOOR Hotel, weighs 7,000 pounds and could not be rolled due to the fragility of its original tires. Armstrong devised a plan to raise the entire automobile up onto blocks and then move it using special lifts. Some of the carriages also had to be lifted using a forklift, and then were placed on balconies within the museum.

In addition to relocating the Carriage Museum, Armstrong also played a key role in the $125 million renovation project at the adjacent BROADMOOR Hotel. In November 2005, Armstrong moved all contents out of the hotel’s south-tower building, allowing construction crews to widen the building by 18 feet and completely remodel the tower’s 168 rooms. All new furnishings, including beds, LCD televisions, lamps, desks and art work, were shipped directly to Armstrong’s facility before being transported to the hotel, where the agency is unwrapping, unpacking and getting items reading for hotel guests.

“The BROADMOOR Hotel is a beautiful resort, and Armstrong is proud to be part of its continual improvement,” said Tenney. “We are currently in the midst of ensuring that all of the new furnishings are moved and unpacked safely and on time in the new rooms.”

Admission to the El Pomar Foundation’s Carriage Museum is free and open to the public 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday.

The BROADMOOR Hotel is scheduled to re-open the south tower on May 1. Opened in 1891 as a casino and transformed into a "grand resort" in 1918, the BROADMOOR is known as one of the world's premier resorts. On May 9, 1916, Spencer Penrose and his wife Julie, purchased the 40-acre site of The BROADMOOR Casino and Hotel and an adjoining 400 acres. Penrose and his design team hired artists who crafted elaborate interior and exterior details fashioned after the opulence and elegance that the Penroses had experienced in Europe and the Orient. Over the years, The BROADMOOR's facilities have expanded with additional meeting rooms and guest rooms; a second and third golf course; and the BROADMOOR Spa, Golf and Tennis Club.

About Armstrong Moving & Storage

Armstrong Moving & Storage brings a half century of experience to every move it makes. As one of the leading business and residential moving organizations in the Southwestern United States, Armstrong provides moving, packing, storage and relocation services for interstate, intrastate and international moves. The agency handles office and industrial relocations, special commodity transportation, air freight service, household goods storage, commercial warehousing and distribution, packing and custom crating. Armstrong operates five full-service offices within the state of Texas, and two within Colorado. More information about Armstrong is available at www.armstrongmoving.com.

About United Van Lines

United Van Lines, with headquarters in suburban St. Louis, Mo., maintains a network of 1,000 affiliated agencies throughout the world. As the nation’s largest mover, United holds more than 30 percent of the market, which is nearly double the market share of the second largest carrier. More information about United and its services is available at www.unitedvanlines.com.