Margaret Gray Evans

Margaret Gray Evans (August 21, 1830 – September 7, 1906) was the wife of Territorial Governor John Evans and a philanthropist. She arrived in Denver when it was a rough city, having grown up in a privileged home in Maine. Evans was First Lady of Colorado for her husband and her son-in-law, Samuel Hitt Elbert, who was a widower when he became governor. She was known for creating Denver society for the manner in which she entertained in what was the executive manor in Colorado. She assisted her husband on his educational and civil projects, and created her own. She founded the Denver Orphan's Home and was involved in the establishment of literary and charitable organizations. She was also active on boards of the University of Denver. She was the mother of William Gray Evans and Anne Evans.

Early life and education Margaret Patten Gray was born on August 21, 1830,

Marriage and children Margaret Gray married John Evans August 18, 1853, in Bowdoinham, Maine. Anne Evans born January 23, 1871.

During her husband's administration, there was a flood and fire in Denver, famine, and fear of attacks by Native Americans. In 1872 It was reorganized from the Ladies Aid Society that Byers founded in 1860. Byers and Evans founded the Old Ladies Home in 1873.

She joined the Denver Artists' Club in 1893, as did her daughter Anne. It became the Denver Art Museum.

Europe She lived in Europe during two periods where she sought to improve her health, study and travel. She went to Europe in the fall of 1870 and established a home in London where her daughter Anne Evans was born on January 23, 1871. She returned to Colorado that winter. She returned to London in May 1875 and traveled on the Continent. She returned to Colorado in April 1877.