Since 1981, the Mill Creek Valley Players have raised money to restore historic buildings, one boo, hiss and cheer at a time.

The community theater group is part of the Mill Creek Valley Historical Society, and its plays help raise money to restore historic buildings. The society has restored the 100-year-old one-room schoolhouse in Dumont where it holds its annual melodramas.

This year the players are performing Larrice M. Sell’s melodrama, “White Gold or We’re Going Down Hill Fast.” The final performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for seniors and children 12 and under. Call for reservations at 303-567-4026. Tickets are also available at the door.

The lights go down, and music from the “Sound of Music” sets the scene. Throughout the melodrama patter, a couple of jibes at the nearby towns bring even more laughter.

The actors in the community theater come from many walks of life. Bert Weaver has volunteered his time for 13 melodramas. You’ll find him at work as the Clear Creek County planner. Ed Rapp, former Clear Creek County commissioner, has been in five plays.

Bruce Bell created the Java Mountain Roasters in Idaho Springs and taught in the Rock House School. Carolyn Gingrich is a substitute postmaster.

Rapp expressed his thoughts on the Mill Valley Creek Historical Society: “In broader terms, I’m involved in the historical society not because I’m a preservationist, but because I’m always a conservationist. I look back seven generations and forward seven generations, and think about decisions and values so my future grandchildren will have resources to live a decent life.”

The historical society has many projects on its plate. In the late 1980s, it moved the Colburn Cabin onto the schoolhouse property as an additional piece of history.

Next on the society’s agenda is the restoration of the Sarah Greene family roadhouse at the east entrance to Dumont. In April it was listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings.