The Amache Preservation Society (APS) maintains the physical site of Amache and is instrumental in its preservation. The society was established by Mr. John Hopper, a social studies teacher and now Principal of Granada High School, and consists of volunteer students from that school. With the help of many other organizations, the APS has renovated the cemetery, established an Amache Museum and research center, restored key Amache landmarks, including the water tower, a guard tower, and barrack. APS students travel throughout Colorado and into Kansas and Oklahoma to speak about the World War II internment camps and specifically Amache. For the almost a decade, members of the Amache Preservation Society have traveled to Japan to live with host families to learn their culture. In Japan, APS members give presentations to local high schools.
The Amache Preservation Society is located at:
Granada School District RE-1
201 S. Hoisington St • Granada, CO 81041
PO BOX 259
GRANADA, CO 81041-0259
PHONE: (719) 734-5492 FAX: (719) 734-5495
E-mail: amache@usa.com
Amache Preservation Society Activities
Amache Newsletter: Student written, mailed to subscribers; published monthly during the school year
Amache Museum: Student maintained, upkeep with paint and work on inside of building; recently re-located from the school to downtown Granada and open throughout the summer months.
Archaeology: Site digs, e.g., locating and restoring an internee’s fish (koi) pond
Cultural Programs: Japanese foods/restaurant trips; trips to Japan
Historic Research: Interview former inmates, obtain museum items.
Pilgrimages to Amache: Students support the annual event and the devoted pilgrims.
Restoration and Maintenance of Camp: Site identification signs that were donated by the Amache Historical Society, cemetery landscaping and watering, keeping the kiosk in the front gate area free of weeds and change the bulletin board on the kiosk.
Speaking Engagements: Presentations to other high schools, colleges, clubs and organizations
Tours of Camp Site: Students guide and speak to visitors from across the U.S. and beyond.
Grant Seeking and Writing: APS students seek and write grants to a number of finding organizations.
Public Relations work with Amache: Students represent Amache and are held to the highest code. Today there are many who volunteer and realize the importance of keeping this site alive so that it may never happen again.
Read more about Amache
Relocation Center Colorado: https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/internment/reporta3.htm
Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites, Chapter 5, Granada Relocation Center: https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/anthropology74/ce5.htm