Museletter IGNITE your curiosity. DISCOVER your story. DECEMBER 2019 Alexander Film Company Garden of the Gods, ca. 1960
Presenting the 2020 Scholars from the region and throughout the country will take guests on a comprehensive and fascinating journey through the past. As the city of Colorado Springs looks forward to commemorating our sesquicentennial anniversary, the Museum will present three permanent exhibits that fundamentally reshape our understanding of this community’s compelling, richly diverse, and unique history. Opening in November 2020, Cultural Crossroads will be the second exhibit in preparation for this anniversary. In celebration of this ground-breaking exhibit, the 2020 Scholar Series will promote the latest academic scholarship to foster a new understanding of Pikes Peak Regional history. Scholars from the region and throughout the country will take guests on a comprehensive and fascinating journey through the past. Consider how the scenic beauty of the area inspired trailblazing filmmakers. Explore key aspects of the fight for women’s suffrage in our community. Discover the use of virtual reality in depicting life in the past. We’ll welcome award winning historians to place local history in a national context. Megan Kate Nelson, Massachusettsbased writer and historian, will discuss the West’s role in the Civil War. University of North Dakota associate professor, Cynthia Prescott will challenge us to view monuments dedicated to the pioneer experience with new eyes. We’ll even trek into the prehistoric era and join scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to discuss their revolutionary findings at Corral Bluffs. This series, like the new Cultural Crossroads exhibit, has something for everyone. Do not miss these opportunities to broaden your knowledge and explore new ideas. MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 2
The Scholar Series: Calendar of Events Saturdays from 2:00 – 3:00 pm Division 1 Courtroom Jan 11 The Historic Films of the Pikes Peak Region Presented by Steven Antonuccio Launching the 2020 Scholar Series, this program features the historic films housed in the Special Collections of the Pikes Peak Library District and were shot in Colorado Springs in the past 120 years. Colorado Springs has a rich history of films produced in the city because of the scenic beauty of the area which made for a natural backdrop for filmmakers. From the first film shot in 1897 by the Edison Film Company to the various films and commercials shot by the Alexander Film Company, this program will feature clips of these important historic films. This program will also include personal stories from Steve Antonuccio’s book “There is No Such Thing as a Typical Librarian.” About the Presenter Steve Antonuccio retired from the Pikes Peak Library District in 2008 and helped acquire the collection of historic films for the Pikes Peak Library during his 20 year career managing the Library Channel. He wrote an academic paper on the Alexander Film Company for the Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium in 2012. He also published a book in 2019 on his career working in libraries entitled “There Is No Such Thing as a Typical Librarian.” Mar. 21 Commemorating Womens’ Suffrage in Colorado Presented by Heather Jordan, Katherin Sturdevant, and Chris Nicholl Apr. 11 Arts & Crafts Architecture in Colorado Springs Presented by Barry Binder May 9 When the Civil War Came West Presented by Megan Kate Nelson Aug. 8 Controversy and Compromise in Colorado Pioneer Monuments Presented by Cynthia Prescott Sept. 26 Native Americans and Spaniards in the Southwest, 1500-1850 CE Presented by Roger Martinez Oct. 10 Rise of the Mammals Presented by Dr. Tyler Lyson and Dr. Ian Miller Nov. 14 Colorado Springs’ Archaeological Past Presented by Dr. Minette Church and Dr. Karin Larkin MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 3
UPCOMING EVENTS 2020 SCHOLAR SERIES - LAUNCH The Historic Films of the Pikes Peak Region Presented by Steven Antonuccio Saturday, January 11 2:00 – 3:00 pm RSVP required CHILDREN’S HISTORY HOUR: DAY DREAMERS Wednesday, January 15 & Saturday, January 25 10:30 – 11:30 am RSVP required Your imagination is endless! It can take you to faraway places. Colorado Springs has a history of imaginative people. Lon Chaney used his imagination to create characters on film. Helen Hunt Jackson used her imagination to write wonderful stories and poetry. A program for children ages 3-6 and their favorite adult to explore regional history through story time, a family-friendly tour, activity, and craft. DON’T MISS the interactive “Trade at Bent’s Fort” children’s exhibit or explore the museum with Max the Marmot picture hunt. Don’t miss this featured exhibit before it closes! FEATURED EXHIBIT: FRANCIS DREXEL SMITH: A LEGACY ON CANVAS 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Tuesday – Saturday On exhibit until January 4, 2020, the museum is pleased to display the works of Francis Drexel Smith: A Legacy on Canvas. In conjunction with the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Broadmoor Art Academy. Like so many other well-to-do emigrants from the East and Midwest, he came for his health, recovered and stayed for a lifetime. Learn more about our events or RSVP on our website: www.cspm.org/rsvp-for-an-event MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 4
Why Support the CSPM During this season of giving, we hope you will consider supporting the CSPM. Your donation today will: Inspire the next generation Preserve our object and archival collections Share our unique stories Learn all the ways you can support the CSPM this holiday season (Click here) MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 5 ?
DID YOU KNOW? Creating the Best Visitor Experience: Improving Accessibility The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum made it a priority to focus on the visitor experience and strive to make it exemplary in our 2023 Strategic Plan. This includes welcoming all visitors and striving to be accessible to everyone. This month, we expanded our accessibility services by installing a LOOP System in our Division I Courtroom and Henderson Gallery. A LOOP System is a special type of sound system for individuals who use hearing aids. This system will enhance the sound for individuals using hearing aids by filtering unwanted background noise. We are delighted to now offer this service for our upcoming programs and reach closer to our goal of creating an exemplary visitor experience at the CSPM. The Starsmore Center: Now Open JEROME WHEELER RESIDENCE AND GREENHOUSE, MANITOU SPRINGS. FREDERICK STEHR COLLECTION, STARSMORE CENTER The Starsmore Center for Local History (SCLH) is once again open to researchers! We are thrilled to welcome Hillary Mannion as the new CSPM Archivist. You may remember Hillary served as the Museum Registrar from 2013 to 2017, at which time she took the opportunity to live in Olympia, Washington and Asheville, North Carolina with her family. Hillary’s experience working in archival collections includes her work with the White House Historical Association and, most recently, the Bob Moog Foundation in Asheville. She is excited to return to Colorado and join the staff and volunteers of the CSPM in preserving and sharing the history of the Pikes Peak Region from the Archives. In the past few weeks, research has been conducted in our bound newspaper collection, the Zebulon Pike Chapter of the DAR Collection, the Francis Cragin Collection, Dr. Fredrick MacKay’s research on Colorado Brown Stain, John Stehr’s photographs of homes and residents of Manitou Springs, and the AdAmAn Collection. What will your next research project be? SCLH is the home of the CSPM Archives, a rich resource of manuscript collections, maps and blueprints, photographs, a robust reference library and more. A list of finding aids and manuscript collections can be found on the CSPM website, and the collection is searchable using the online database. Contact Hillary Mannion: E: Hillary.mannion@coloradosprings.gov P: 719-385-5650 MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 6
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH Win DeMott Win DeMott is about to complete his second term on the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum Foundation, and the museum wishes to recognize his service and dedication. Win has provided invaluable leadership as the Foundation continues to provide financial and in-kind support to the museum’s mission. The Foundation manages the CSPM’s invested endowment funds that spin off nearly $100,000 annually to support the institution’s operations. The Foundation also owns a 14,000 square foot warehouse that is used as the museum’s off-site collection storage facility. In the past few years, the Foundation has funded significant capital improvements to this facility, including a new roof. In the next two years, the storage building facility will get a new HVAC system. CSPM Director Matt Mayberry notes, “Win DeMott has been a loyal member of the CSPM Foundation, serving as both the treasurer and president of the board. Win has a deep appreciation for the museum and its role in the community, and he understands the important contribution the foundation plays to the museum’s success. We are lucky to have Win as a member of our organization and thankful for his time, energy, and commitment.” SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 7
IN MEMORIAM Marcia Gautsche The staff, board and volunteers of the CSPM are sad to note the passing of Marcia Gautsche. Marcia was a long-time volunteer and supporter of the museum. She served as an officer and president of the Friends board. Her leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for the museum have left an enduring impact on our institution. Our sympathies go out to Marcia’s husband, Harry, and to her family and many friends. MUSEUM STORE Shop the Museum’s Store for holiday gifts! Need to buy that special someone a holiday present? Visit our Museum Store for many gift items, including this elegant, special-edition Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum ornament! $20 All proceeds from the Museum Store support the work of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 8
CSPM HAPPENINGS Festival of Lights - Family Fun Day December 7, 2019 Pearl Harbor Observance 78th Anniversary Letters to Santa! Face Painting Volunteers Palmer High School Orchestra Slim Rail Model Train EPC Nature Center MUSELETTER AUGUST 2019| PG 9 MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 9
Festival of Lights - Family Fun Day (continued) First Congregational Church Flute Choir Summit Dance Group performs CSPMHAPPENINGS School Field Trips Compact Shelving Installation From all of us at CSPM have a wonderful Holiday Season! MUSELETTER DECEMBER 2019| PG 10 Connect with CSPM!
1 Publizr