Museletter IGNITE your curiosity. DISCOVER your story. DECEMBER 2018 El Paso County Courthouse in the snow
After nine months and thousands of visitors to the groundbreaking League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies & Advocates exhibit, the gallery will close on Saturday, December 29, as we prepare the artifacts to travel on to the next venue. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum was extremely pleased to partner with the Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas to share this compelling story with residents of the Pikes Peak Region, and we are grateful to Dole Institute Assistant Director & Senior Archivist Audrey Coleman and Dole Institute Fellow, Exhibit Curator, and author Heath Lee for their exceptional work on this project. Both the CSPM and the Dole Institute would like to thank local donors and KU alumni Harlan and Alice Ann Ochs for their generous support of the CSPM and their sponsorship of the national traveling exhibit. As Audrey Coleman stated, “The Dole Institute is grateful for the support of Harlan and Alice Ann Ochs, who made this inspiring exhibit – and its coast-tocoast tour — possible. We’re excited the story of the POW wives, as told through the exhibit, will continue to connect with audiences Members of the National League of Families on the steps of the Capitol, Washington, D.C. League of Wives exhibit sponsors Harlan and Alice Ann Ochs MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2018| PG 2
audiences across the country.” The League of Wives exhibit is slated to open in March 2019 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and is expected to travel to sites on the West Coast, including the Coronado Historical Association, later in the year. And, we have some important news to share: Heath Lee’s much-anticipated book, League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who “When I met Helene Knapp... I soon realized what a crucial part she played in the national POW/MIA movement, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her and work with her...” - Heath Hardage Lee, Curator of League of Wives Took on the President, the Pentagon and the Rest of the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home will be released by St. Martin’s Press on April 2, 2019. As if that is not exciting enough – it was recently announced that Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and her production company have optioned the rights to adapt Lee’s League of Wives book into a movie! A recent statement from Witherspoon indicated her excitement about the project, “At Hello Sunshine we strive to showcase brave, brilliant female characters and the women of the League of Wives are all that and more. From the minute I heard about this inspiring true story, I knew it was a perfect fit…” -Reese Witherspoon Mary Dodge, Anne Wolfkeil, Colorado Congressman Frank Evans and Helene Knapp on the steps of the Capitol, Washington, D.C. In the meantime, visitors have just a few more weeks to visit this compelling exhibit which has resonated with so many in our community. We are proud to have had the opportunity to feature the extraordinary work of Larry Ochs, Colorado Springs Vice-Mayor (and later Mayor); Helene Knapp, local and national leader in the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia; and John Herzog, advertising executive and consultant to local advocacy group Colorado Springs for POWs/MIAs. As Heath Hardage Lee, Curator of League of Wives stated, “When I met Helene Knapp through my contacts at the CSPM in 2015, I soon realized what a crucial part she played in the national POW/MIA movement, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview her and work with her on both on The League of Wives book and exhibit.” CSPM is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10-5, exhibit is open through 12/29/18 Diana Green and Vice-Mayor Larry Ochs protesting the North Vietnamese in Paris, France MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2018| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS Pikes Peak Regional History Lecture Series Pikes Peak Trolleys: Past, Present, and Future Presented by John Haney Saturday, January 12 2:00 – 3:00 pm Join CSPM and John Haney, founder and secretary of the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and Restoration Shop, for an exploration of the history of the trolley system in Colorado Springs dating back to 1887. John will also discuss the current work of the Trolley Museum and prospects for the development of a future streetcar system in the city. $5 suggested donation. RSVP required. Community Kick-Off Reception: Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Tuesday, January 17 5:30 – 7:00 pm The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is honored to host the Community Kick-Off to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Join the NAACP Colorado Springs Branch and the City of Colorado Springs as we honor the All People’s Breakfast Committee and explore the history and legacy of service and civil rights in the Pikes Peak region. Following the brief program, please join us for a celebratory reception. Reservations required: RSVP required. Free and open to the public. Children’s History Hour – Trains, Trolleys, Horses, and more! Wednesday, January 16 and Saturday, January 26 9:00 - 10:00 am Choo choo! All aboard! Let’s explore different types of transportation from the past right here in Colorado Springs. How did people get around before cars? Trolleys, trains, wagons, horses, of course! Children ages 3-6 and their favorite adult are invited to explore regional history through story time, a family-friendly tour, activity, and craft. Make a morning of it! After the event learn through play in our interactive “Trade at Bent’s Fort” children’s exhibit or explore the museum with Max the Marmot by picking up a Picture Hunt at the front desk. RSVP required – $3 Suggested Donation Please RSVP for events at: www.cspm.org/rsvp-for-an-event or 719-385-5990 ONGOING EXHIBITS: Francis Drexel Smith: A Legacy on Canvas A Home of One’s Own: The Life of Helen Hunt Jackson The Story of Us: The Pikes Peak Region from A – Z MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2018 | PG 4 Photo: Streetcar ca. 1900 From the collection of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
Sumiit Dec. 31, 1922 Fred Morath, Willis Magee, Fred Barr and Ed Morath. Photograph by Standley DID YOU KNOW? The AdAmAn collection at the CSPM includes over 160 artifacts and over 23 cubic feet of archival materials documenting the history of the AdAmAn Club, dating from 1922 to the present day. The AdAmAn Club was founded by the “Frozen Five:” Fred Morath, Ed Morath, Willis Magee, Harry Standley and Fred Barr. These men climbed to the summit of Pikes Peak to celebrate New Year’s, and the tradition continues to this day. Each year, one new member is selected to become an AdAmAn. CSPM recently received a donation of a Kelty backpack belonging to AdAmAn member Edward J. Kirches. Kirches was inducted as a member of the AdAmAn Club in 1962 and climbed Pikes Peak on New Year’s Eve for a total of 42 years. He looked forward the climb each year and enjoyed the camaraderie of the club. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Kirches first came to Colorado in 1942 as a member of the 10th Mountain Division, training at Camp Hale. After the war, he attended college and later law school. However, his love for the Colorado Mountains brought him to Colorado Springs in 1958. He worked at Shepard’s Citations for over 30 years, becoming its Editor-In-Chief before retiring in 1989. To view the museum’s AdAmAn collection, contact: sclh@springsgov.com Getting warm, 1938 Kirches AdAmAn Backpack, ca. 1960s New member induction Edward J. Kirches. Willis Mcgee, Lyman Blackman, Edward Kirches, and Bob Watson, Dec. 1962
MUSEUM SPOTLIGHT! Helene Knapp-Volunteer of the Month For the past nine months, Helene Knapp has toured hundreds of visitors through the League of Wives: Vietnam’s POW/MIA Allies and Advocates exhibit. Her tours are deeply meaningful and truly special as she shares personal stories from her work as a leader in the local and national movements to advocate for the safe return of American POWs and MIAs during the Vietnam War, including her own husband Colonel Herman Knapp. As Helene shared, “I have a lot of personal stories and connections and can help bring the topic alive to visitors. I can help them understand the complexity of the issues and the impact on individual POW/MIA families.” The lasting impact she has made on our community was recently recognized by Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers who honored her with the Spirit of the Springs award in March, 2018. There is absolutely no doubt that Helene’s tours have left indelible memories with our visitors, and she is a cherished volunteer, museum supporter and member of the CSPM’s Clock Tower Society. Thank you so much Helene! Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers honoring Helene Knapp with the Spirit of the Springs award in March, 2018. Welcome to CSPM-Diane Barber, new Development Director The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is delighted to announce Diane Barber as the CSPM’s new Development Director, effective November 13. Diane relocated from Washington DC where she served as the Membership Manager at Ford’s Theatre Society. She is the fourth person to lead CSPM’s development efforts, but the first to come to us with a strong background as a museum professional. She holds a BA in history from Florida State University and an MA in Museum Studies from George Washington University. In addition to her time at Ford’s Theatre, she worked in the development operations at the National Portrait Gallery, the President Woodrow Wilson House, and the National Air and Space Museum. As Development Director, Diane is responsible for the fundraising and marketing activities of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. Among her many current projects, she is managing the process to overhaul the museum’s website, planning engagement activities for our Clock Tower Society Members, and exploring channels for funding and sponsorships. In her spare time, she and her fiancée, Chris, are avid skiers and thrilled to live so near to Colorado’s many ski resorts. They also enjoyed living in downtown Colorado Springs and exploring the community and its many restaurants. MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2018 | PG 6
MUSEUM STORE Holiday Shopping Complete your holiday shopping with a visit to CSPM’s Museum Store where you will always find a friendly face and great holiday gifts, like: •Jewelry created by local artists, this month featuring originals by Maureen Sagan-Cortes’ • Historical books of the Pikes Peak Region • Unique candies • A variety of enjoyable children’s books • Lots of stocking stuffers MEMBERS: MEMBERS 20% off (through 12/26 store-wide! Sale items excluded) Support CSPM by donating through the Give! 2018 Campaign! We are proud to be a member again and hope you consider supporting our organization during this time of giving. This year, your donation will even go farther. The Helen McCaffrey Charitable Trust donated a matching gift of $5,000 in order to encourage individuals like you to support our efforts. This means any donation will be doubled to provide even more opportunities for our community to engage with our exhibits and programs. Donate by December 31 to take advantage of this matching gift and make an even bigger impact at CSPM! Indygive.com/CSPM MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2018 | PG 7
CSPM HAPPENINGS Congratulations to CSPM Staff! Leah Davis Witherow receives 20-Year Anniversary recognition (above) Haley Davis receives 5-Year Anniversary recognition (right) New Exhibit: Francis Drexel Smith: A Legacy on Canvas MUSELETTER NOVEMBER 2018 | PG 8
Festival of Lights Family Fun Day 2018 CSPM HAPPENINGS CSPM staff getting ready for FOL Family Fun Day Follow CSPM on social media! MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2018 | PG 9
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