APRIL 2018 April is National Volunteer Recognition Month From the collections of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION MONTH By: Meg Poole, Program Coordinator Each year the museum celebrates the achievements of its incredible volunteers as part of National Volunteer Recognition Month in April. This is a wonderful time to reflect on the generous contributions of CSPM’s many volunteers. On Saturday, April 14, staff and volunteers gathered to celebrate with a breakfast and program. Volunteers were recognized for their years of service and total hours in 2017. Each staff member also reflected on their work with volunteers and shared unique achievements in each department. CSPM has a tradition of reporting stats for each year to show the impact of volunteer work. In 2017, the museum had a total of 128 volunteers who served 7,850 hours. 1,142 of those hours came from the 24 Junior Docents that lead summer programs! Each year the Independent Sector places a dollar amount on the worth of each volunteer hour. For 2017, the assigned value was $24.14 per hour. That means that the volunteers contributed $189,499! Volunteer hours also equated to the time of about 3.7 full-time staff members! It is safe to say that CSPM could not do the great work it does without the support of volunteers. CSPM volunteers enjoying the appreciation breakfast In 2017, the museum experienced record visitation, welcoming more than 90,000 visitors. With so many visitors, CSPM offered more programs and activities than ever before! This increase in programming and visitation makes the talent and support of museum volunteers truly invaluable. At the end of the program, CSPM announced its 2017 Volunteer of the Year. This year, the staff recognized Judi Arndt! Judi and her contributions are featured in the Museum Spotlight section of the Museletter. CSPM is grateful for the hard work and dedication of all museum volunteers. Thank you to all who volunteered throughout 2017! Junior Docents are an important part of CSPM’s volunteer program MUSELETTER APRIL 2018| PG 2
In 2017, the museum had a total of 128 volunteers who served 7,850 hours Volunteers at the annual Festival of Lights Family Fun Day More fun at the 2017 Festival of Lights Junior Docents return to spread holiday cheer Young visitors learn from Junior Docents during the Sensing History program INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? If you are interested in becoming a museum volunteer, Visit cspm.org/support/volunteers-corp or call 719-385-5990 MUSELETTER APRIL 2018| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS CHILDREN’S HISTORY HOUR: FIVE SENSE HISTORY HUNT! Wednesday, April 18 and Saturday, April 28 (10:30 am to 11:30 am) Families are invited to the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum for a history adventure on the third Wednesday and last Saturday of each month! Children ages 3-6 will enjoy story time, a family-friendly exhibit tour, and crafts and activities. We explore a new theme each month! Reservations Required - $3 suggested donation, free for members CORE CULTURE GUIDED DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR: LAW & DISORDER Saturday, May 5, 10:00 am Wild Goose Meeting House - 401 N Tejon Street Facilitated by staffers of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and organized by the Downtown Partnership, Law & Disorder explores how Colorado Springs officials fought to remain a “dry town” in “wet times;” the captivating story of how local law enforcement, concerned citizens and the Gazette newspaper worked to run the KKK out of town in the 1920s; and an infamous gun battle with train robbers in the streets of Downtown. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 9:30 am to enjoy a free coffee beverage of their choice (included in ticket price). Reservations Required through the Downtown Partnership - $10, free for 17 and under Visit www.downtowncs.com/event/tours or call 719-886-0088 for tickets PIKES PEAK REGIONAL HISTORY LECTURE SERIES Operation Egress Recap—The Return of our POWs from North Vietnam Presented by Denny Weddle Saturday, May 12 (2:00 pm to 3:00 pm) Lt Col Denny Weddle, USAF Captain and Deputy Commander of the American Forces Thailand Network, shares his experience as a member of the team that worked to bring home American POWs from Vietnam in 1973. He will explore the planning, execution, and eventual success of Operation Egress. This poignant and emotional presentation examines the themes of pride, returning home, recovery, family life, and life changing experiences of the Vietnam era. Reservations Required - $5 suggested donation, free for members WINDOWS INTO HISTORY TOURS Every Tuesday at 1:00 pm, Friday at 11:00 am and Saturday at 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm Free, 45-minute guided exploration of the museum. Just drop in - no reservations required! Please RSVP for these events at: www.cspm.org/rsvp-for-an-event or call 719-385-5990 MUSELETTER APRIL 2018 | PG 4 April & May 2018
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! Application Deadline: May 5 at 5:00 pm Enthusiastic students entering grades 6th-12th are invited to apply for this summer‘s Junior Docent program. Junior Docents become educators, introducing visitors from around the globe to the unique history of the Pikes Peak region. Junior Docents are trained to interpret exhibits, handle and share information on historic artifacts, lead craft and demonstration activities, and interact with visitors of many ages and backgrounds. Placement in the 2018 Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Junior Docent program is selective and is dependent on several factors. For more information or to apply, visit: cspm.org/junior-docent-program Questions? Call 719-385-5631 or email: mpoole@springsgov.com Partner Spotlight MUSELETTER APRIL 2018 | PG 5
MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT! VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - JUDI ARNDT CSPM is pleased to recognize Judi Arndt as the 2017 Volunteer of the Year! Judi began volunteering for the museum in 1991. In her early volunteer roles she worked with the Pikes Peak Weavers Guild (PPWG) to organize exhibits of Swedish weaving and paisley shawls for the museum. Judi and the PPWG quickly became part of the museum’s long tradition of the Festival of Lights Family Fun Day, teaching children and their families about weaving and helping them to create unique holiday crafts. Judi has also supported several collections initiatives. Along with PPWG, she completed a documentation project of handwoven coverlets and more recently supported textile conservation on flags and costumes from the museum’s collection. Currently, Judi is working with Caitlin Sharpe, Museum Registrar to create Tyvek covers to protect artifacts like the beloved horse “Bingo,” which was made to display saddles downtown and the Alexander Film Company printer. In addition to her volunteer work with collections, Judi has taken on the challenge of volunteering to educate local students since 2013. She is a priceless member of the museum’s Hands on History school program team. Throughout the academic year, Judi comes in each week to present at one of the interactive stations for 2nd through 5th grade students. Judi volunteers primarily at the Cultural Crossroads and Story of Us stations. Her wonderful knowledge and engaging presentation style have made her a stand-out school program volunteer. Recently, members of the exhibits team stumbled upon one of Judi’s school presentations, “The kids were so enthralled. They were asking great questions and hung on Judi’s every word,” shared Kelly O’Hara, CSPM Exhibits Designer. MUSELETTER APRIL 2018 | PG 6
In addition to her museum volunteer work, Judi is a talented dyer, weaver, and quilter. She has traveled extensively throughout Asia and has worked to grow her beautiful textile collection during her travels. Her documented textile collection includes over 650 handwoven, dyed, embroidered, and printed pieces from “Her wonderful knowledge and engaging presentation style have made her a stand-out school program volunteer. ” India, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam. Judi has a son and two granddaughters in Texas, and a daughter, grandson and granddaughter in Fort Collins. The staff has come to know Judi as a person with wonderful curiosity and a dedication to learning and service, and appreciates everything she has done to support the museum. Congratulations Judi and thank you for 27+ years of dedicated service! MUSEUM STORE Gifts Artisans Jewelry Books Here’s one way to soothe the “tax blues” away: pick up a copy of “Cripple Creek Days,” by Mabel Barbee Lee! Originally printed in 1958, this book is a first hand, mostly true account of Cripple Creek’s raucous glory days ($21.95). Welcome spring by wearing a little of nature’s glitz! The store is offering beautiful druzy stone jewelry by Zhelaine. Store Hours Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:45 pm CSPM members receive a 10% discount at the museum store! MUSELETTER APRIL 2018 | PG 7
By Leah Davis Witherow, Curator of History A chandelier made of 14 lbs. of metal bracelets is one of the most compelling objects in CSPM’s newest exhibit, The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies & Advocates. After flying 75 combat missions, U.S. Navy pilot LT j.g. Porter Halyburton was shot down over North Vietnam on October 17, 1965. With no parachute sighted and no radio contact, he was declared Killed in Action. His family held a memorial service and placed a tombstone over an empty grave. Unbelievably, eighteen months later they were notified that Porter was alive, and a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. After 7½ years of captivity, Porter Halyburton returned home in the spring of 1973. Following his homecoming, supporters from across the country returned hundreds of bracelets bearing his name. Porter and his wife Marty assembled them informally into a cascading chandelier that hung over their breakfast table. As Marty Halyburton stated, “We were surprised and overwhelmed with the incredible outpouring of hundreds, if not thousands, of people we did not even know. It was inspiring and touching beyond description for the men and their families.” Marty went on to describe, “Ordinary American citizens rallied around the plight of American prisoners of war, those missing in action and their families at home, regardless of their views on the Vietnam War. Once the Peace Treaty was signed, returning POWs were met at airports by thousands of well-wishers and flooded with phone calls, letters and the return of POW bracelets bearing their name. All of this came as a huge surprise to the POWs who were not sure how they would be received at home.” Halyburton POW bracelet chandelier, on display in The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies & Advocates exhibit Porter Halyburton personally answered more than 1200 letters he received from well-wishers who had worn his bracelet and kept him in their hearts and minds during his 7 1/2 years of captivity. Reflecting on his homecoming, he stated, “I returned with joy and gratitude in my heart for all the wonderful people who had prayed for us, worn the bracelets and had worked for our release and better treatment.” The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies & Advocates will be on exhibit at CSPM through Saturday, December 29, 2018. MUSELETTER APRIL 2018| PG 8
CSPM HAPPENINGS The League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies & Advocates Exhibit Opening Helene Knapp, Mayor John Suthers and Joan Pollard cut the ceremonial ribbon of the new League of Wives exhibit, assisted by Leah Davis Witherow Exploring the exhibit The Ochs family and friends gathered in the exhibit (above)
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